NOIA Statement on Department of the Interior’s Proposed Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule Updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, August 3, 2026
Media Contact: media@nullnoia.org
Washington, DC — National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Marine Minerals Administration announced they are modernizing and refining federal regulations governing exploratory oil and gas drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf:
At the time the 2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule was finalized, NOIA argued that certain requirements did not reflect the reality of industry operations, including requirements that added significant costs without a corresponding safety benefit. We also noted that prescriptive, one-size-fits-all standards risks locking in outdated approaches and discourages the kind of innovation that actually improves safety over time.
We will review the Department of the Interior's proposed updates to that rule and will be evaluating whether the changes address these longstanding concerns. NOIA supports a regulatory framework that ensures safety and environmental protection while giving operators the flexibility to keep pace with new equipment and evolving operating conditions. We look forward to engaging with the Marine Minerals Administration to help ensure that outcome.
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About NOIA
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public, and our environment.
