The Trump administration is backing away from a proposal to auction offshore oil and natural gas leases along the US East Coast, following backlash from Republican coastal states worried about tourism losses and environmental harm. The latest version of the Interior Department's draft five-year offshore leasing program includes potential lease sales in the Gulf of America, the West Coast and Alaska, though revisions are still possible.

Nitrogen content in Permian Basin natural gas, especially from the Midland Basin, has increased to as high as 7%, well above the 1% to 1.5% threshold for liquefied natural gas production. The trend lowers heating value and raises safety, commercial and reputational risks for LNG exporters. Measures such as adjusting plant operations, procuring low-nitrogen gas and installing nitrogen rejection equipment can help operators manage the challenge, though each strategy involves balancing capital intensity, operational flexibility and midstream fees.

Acoustic oceanographers have discovered a method for measuring ocean acidification using ambient wind noise, as detailed in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. The method tested in the Mariana Trench, Tonga Trench and the Philippine Sea, estimates pH by analyzing how sound is absorbed as it travels through seawater.

Mazama Energy has achieved a breakthrough in geothermal technology by drilling into "superhot" rock near Oregon's Newberry Volcano, reaching 331°C using a proprietary hydraulic fracturing method. This marks the hottest rock accessed by an enhanced geothermal system, surpassing the usual temperature thresholds of under 300°C for similar projects. The approach, which creates an enhanced geothermal reservoir, aims to access more energy with fewer wells.

Lawmakers from both parties are resisting the Trump administration's proposal to allow new offshore drilling along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, with coastal Republicans from tourism-heavy states such as Florida to South Carolina joining Democrats in rejecting the plan and vowing legal challenges. A few GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, expressed conditional support if paired with offshore wind. The bipartisan backlash mirrors the widespread outcry that prompted President Donald Trump to withdraw a similar proposal in 2020.

The US oil and natural gas rig count climbed by two to 550 last week, supported by increased offshore drilling activity, according to Baker Hughes. Louisiana and Wyoming added three and two rigs, respectively, while Texas and Colorado posted losses.

The increased competitiveness of deepwater production will fuel a new wave of deepwater development and lead to more final investment decisions in the coming years, according to Clay Williams, CEO of oilfield services firm NOV. He said sustained cost reductions, standardized subsea systems and improved drilling efficiency have pushed deepwater marginal costs below those of North American shale. Successful exploration in new basins like Guyana, Namibia, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf of America's Paleogene trend will support the recovery, Williams noted.

New research suggests the Barringer Meteor Crater and the Grand Canyon may be linked, with the meteor impact 56,000 years ago possibly triggering landslides that dammed the Colorado River, creating a temporary 80-kilometer lake. This theory published in Geology is supported by radiocarbon dating of driftwood found in caves high above the river, indicating a massive flood event.

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a nature-based method to address soil pollution using microbial iron mining. The process uses the natural interaction between microbes and iron minerals to remove toxins and recover rare earth elements from contaminated soils.

Nominations are currently being sought from SEG members for the following SEG Board of Directors positions for 2026: president-elect, second vice president, treasurer, director at large, and district representatives. Nominations are due Dec. 1. Learn more about the nominating procedure.

On her current lecture tour, SEG Honorary Lecturer Maria Angela Capello showcases the role of geoscientists, particularly those in Latin America, in natural resource management, environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, net-zero pathways, and social consciousness. The lecture will next be conducted Nov. 7 in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico. Learn more.

SEG spotlights SLB -- an energy technology pioneer and long-standing Corporate Member sponsor. SEG Corporate Memberships are convenient, discounted plans for groups of 300+ members. Learn more about SEG's partnership with SLB.