The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service is pleased to provide the reference guide, “Oil and Gas Leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf,” detailing the Federal offshore oil and gas leasing process.

The 10-page brochure highlights statutory requirements and authorities, the process for developing the Five Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, the process for planning and conducting specific lease sales and other related topics.

"Given the importance of the national discussion regarding offshore energy development and this Administration’s commitment to transparency, we are providing this brochure as a quick reference on the basic processes for authorizing oil and gas development on the OCS," MMS Director Liz Birnbaum said. “We hope those who are interested in the issues surrounding offshore development will find this reference useful as we continue to develop policies that will enable us to meet the nation’s energy needs while protecting our fragile environment.”