U.S. Interior Department Issues Policies To Increase Domestic Energy Production

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced two new policies aimed at increasing domestic energy and critical minerals production. More specifically, On April 23, announced new measures that are designed to expedite the review and approval, if appropriate, of projects related to the identification, leasing, siting, production, transportation, refining, or generation of energy within the United States. The new permitting procedures will take a multi-year process down to only 28 days, at most, the DOI said. The procedures apply to actions relating to a wide range of energy sources, from crude oil and natural gas to uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal energy, kinetic hydropower, and critical minerals.

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A day later, on April 24, the DOI’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement implemented new parameters for Downhole Commingling in the Paleogene (Wilcox) reservoirs, expanding the allowable pressure differential from 200 psi to 1500 psi. The department said this change could increase production output by roughly 10 percent, which would translate to more than 100,000 barrels per day production increase over the next ten years. The DOI said the new policy also would enhance resource conservation by expediting development from each reservoir, helping to prevent waste and get more value from every well.

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