"As an important component of the US energy portfolio, the Gulf of Mexico holds vast energy resources that can continue to spur economic opportunities for Gulf producing states as well as further reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil," Hopper stated.
"These Gulf of Mexico lease sales reflect this administration's commitment to facilitate the orderly development of offshore energy resources while protecting the human, marine and coastal environments, and ensuring a fair return to American taxpayers," Hopper noted.
The area lease sales are scheduled to take place on March 23 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The two offshore sales in March are the ninth and tenth ones under the Obama administration’s Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017.
