The Alaska State Capitol building
Biden clamps down on Alaskan oil and gas
Federal government restricts activity in Alaskan petroleum reserve but leaves current arrangements like Willow alone
The Biden administration finalised a rule to restrict oil and gas development in a significant proportion of the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR–A) on 19 April. Under the US Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) new rule, 13.3m acres of the 23m acre reserve have been designated as “special areas” limiting future oil and gas leasing and industrial development, while “the rule also codifies existing prohibitions on new leasing in 10.6m acres, more than 40% of the NPR–A”. The rule will apply to existing leases within the special areas but will not alter the terms of those contracts or affect currently authorised activities under them, including ConocoPhillips’ 600m bl Willow project, app
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
