The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced on Monday, June 22, 2026 that it will issue a Request for Information and Interest to receive public feedback and evaluate industry interest on possible mineral leasing areas on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf offshore of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is an initial step in BOEM’s planning process and does not constitute a decision to hold a lease sale.
- To read a preview of the document prior to official publication, click HERE.
The initiative underscores the federal government’s goal to boost domestic mineral production and reduce reliance on imports. By identifying opportunities offshore of Virginia, BOEM aims to strengthen supply chains critical to manufacturing, defense, and emerging technologies.
“Virginia’s offshore mineral resources present a pathway to lessen foreign dependence and reinforce America’s strategic position by establishing secure domestic supply chains,” said BOEM Acting Director Matt Giacona. “This request is designed to identify locations where responsible marine minerals development can advance innovation, support production growth, and sustain future progress.”
Exploration for offshore critical minerals is fundamentally different from large-scale energy development. These early-stage activities are temporary, do not involve permanent structures, and are similar in scope to surveys conducted for beach nourishment projects that have long occurred offshore.
As such, they are not expected to pose the same type of operational or security considerations associated with fixed infrastructure. This effort is about gathering data to better understand our domestic mineral resources and inform future decisions. As the nation’s steward for offshore marine minerals resources, BOEM ensures that the removal of any mineral resource is conducted in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
What the Request for Information and Interest Does
BOEM is seeking input from the public, industry, state and local governments, and tribal nations on potential leasing areas, resource types, and considerations that should guide future planning. Comments may address mineral resources, environmental factors, and potential interactions with other ocean uses such as fishing, shipping, and energy development.
The RFI covers an area on the OCS offshore Virginia, as described in the notice and in the map available on BOEM’s website. Responses will help BOEM determine whether and where further analysis is warranted.
How to Participate
The RFI will be published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2026, opening a 30-day public comment period which will end at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 23, 2026. Stakeholders can submit comments at www.regulations.gov by searching for docket number BOEM-2026-0100.
To read a preview of the document prior to official publication, click HERE.
Companies interested in specific offshore blocks should follow instructions in the notice and submit their information to BOEMVAMineralLeaseSale@boem.gov or by mail to:
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Strategic Resources, Marine Minerals Division, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166.
Next Steps
If BOEM determines there is sufficient interest and that planning efforts should move forward, it will proceed under its established minerals leasing regulations. This includes identifying potential lease areas, issuing a Proposed Leasing Notice (at least 60 days before a Final Leasing Notice), and publishing a Final Leasing Notice (at least 30 days before any sale). Any future lease sale that may be held would use competitive bidding procedures.
For additional details visit: https://www.boem.gov/marine-minerals/critical-minerals/virginia-mineral-activities.
Department of the Interior Begins Transition to Marine Minerals Administration
During April 2026, the Department of the Interior announced the start of a phased plan to establish the Marine Minerals Administration, bringing together the functions of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. This action is intended to improve coordination and increase efficiencies across offshore leasing, permitting, inspections and environmental oversight, while maintaining all existing regulatory protections and rigorous safety standards.
This streamlined approach reflects the evolution of offshore energy development and the need for a more integrated approach to managing conventional and emerging resources such as critical minerals. By aligning planning, leasing and oversight functions, the Department is positioning the agency toward the goal of better meeting current and future energy demands.
All statutory authorities and protections will remain in place throughout the transition. For more information, visit www.doi.gov/mma-transition.
About Guice Offshore Vessels for Ocean Exploration
Utilizing vessels like the 150 ft DP1 GO Liberty or the 170 ft DP1 GO Discovery, geotechnical companies can perform detailed survey activities for their clients, such as seabed mapping, soil investigations and core sampling. Depending on their equipment installed, our vessels can work in a variety of coastal or offshore environments and water depths. The open cargo deck, ample accommodations, excellent maneuverability and station-keeping, all coupled with an efficient cost of operations, makes the Guice Offshore fleet a consistently reliable choice for this industry.
To inquire about charter availability, contact David Scheyd at 985-273-2769 or email him at David.Scheyd@guiceoffshore.com
