The Interior Department has released an offshore oil and natural gas leasing plan outlining 30 auctions in the Gulf of America through 2040 and six auctions in Alaska's Cook Inlet through 2032. The new schedule, underpinned by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, sets the first US Gulf lease sale for Dec. 10 and the first Cook Inlet sale for March 2026. "Under President Trump's leadership, we're putting in place a bold, long-term program that strengthens American Energy Dominance, creates good-paying jobs and ensures we continue to responsibly develop our offshore resources," stated Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

US oil and natural gas companies shrugged off commodity price weakness to drive a more than fourfold increase in mergers and acquisitions activity in 2024, reports Ernst & Young. Total dealmaking value surged from $47.9 billion in 2023 to $206.6 billion last year, as companies prioritized consolidation to boost operational efficiency and profitability, EY's study shows.

The US leads the world in natural gas-fired power generation with 570,000 megawatts online, compared with 166,000 MW in China and 113,000 MW in Russia, and nearly 100,000 MW more in pre-construction -- a sixfold jump from last year. However, the expansion is expected to intensify competition with liquified natural gas exporters for supplies, potentially driving up gas prices, raising power costs for consumers and making US LNG less competitive globally, writes analyst Gavin Maguire.

US crude oil and gasoline stockpiles declined by 2.42 million barrels and 956,000 barrels, respectively, last week, while distillate supplies gained 535,000 barrels, according to American Petroleum Institute data. Oil futures edged higher in early Wednesday trading as markets tracked developments in Ukraine and the prospect of additional sanctions on Russian crude buyers.

The Matterhorn Express Pipeline has reached full subscription, with firm transport commitments rising from 1.87 Bcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 2.06 Bcf/d in the first quarter of 2025, matching its current capacity, regulatory filings show. WhiteWater Midstream plans to increase Matterorn's capacity by 0.5 MMcf/d later this year through new compression, which analysts expect to be quickly contracted.

NERC's 2025 Reliability Risk Priorities report outlines six core themes currently driving grid risk: the addition of new large loads, increasingly widespread reliability events, rising interdependence between the gas and power sectors, growing cyber and physical security complexities, persistent supply chain challenges and volatile energy policy. The report emphasizes that these simultaneously emerging factors require the power industry to rethink traditional planning and operating approaches to maintain grid reliability.

Talos Energy confirmed a discovery at its Daenerys prospect in the US Gulf of America's Walker Ridge, where drilling reached 33,228 feet and found oil in multiple sub-salt Miocene sands. The company estimates the field holds 100 million-300 million barrels of oil equivalent and plans to drill an appraisal well in 2026.

The Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to repeal its 2009 endangerment finding is stoking concerns that the move would create a chaotic regulatory environment and expose companies to lawsuits, legal experts and business groups say. Some believe the Supreme Court could also reverse its 2007 ruling that enshrined the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, which would exacerbate legal uncertainty. The American Petroleum Institute said it favors a continued federal role in emissions regulation.

Register for the Fall COPM Standards Meeting to learn the latest API sponsored research and development on measurement techniques and equipment. Gain access to technical committee meetings covering API upstream standards and best practices used throughout the industry to promote safe and environmentally sound operations. Register online.

The multi-day Lead Auditor course offers additional information on leading an audit team. Participants will learn how to conduct effective audits by applying the key principles, procedures, and techniques as well as how to manage the audit process. To register for this course including a October 20th training, visit the API-U Catalog.