April 28, 2025 – Last week, the Department of the Interior made a move that deserves real attention. Backed by President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy executive order, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced a new offshore oil production policy that could boost output by more than 100,000 barrels a day over the next decade.
How? By updating outdated rules for something called “downhole commingling” in the Gulf of America. In plain terms, the government is now allowing offshore producers to extract more oil from the same wells using modern technology and smarter reservoir strategies. This simple change could lead to a 10% increase in production without requiring new leases or infrastructure.
At Fueling Freedom, we think this is exactly the kind of leadership and common-sense policy the country needs. It lines up perfectly with our belief that America should be producing more energy, using smarter rules, and putting the interests of workers and families first.
How It Works
The updated policy lets producers combine oil flows from different zones in the same well, as long as they meet safety and monitoring requirements. For years, they were limited by an old pressure rule based on outdated science. That rule capped the pressure difference between zones at 200 psi. The new policy raises that limit to 1500 psi, based on modern reservoir performance data.
This may sound technical, but the impact is huge. A study from the University of Texas found that commingled production can increase oil recovery by more than 60 percent over 30 years. It allows producers to get more from the wells they already have, with fewer delays, less waste, and no need for new drilling platforms.
Why This Matches Fueling Freedom’s Principles
This kind of policy reform is exactly what Fueling Freedom is all about. It touches every part of our six core principles:
1. Energy Exploration and Development
By making it easier to fully develop existing wells, this reform supports more production from American resources and helps unlock our full offshore potential.
2. Regulatory Reform and Deregulation
This is a great example of how updating old rules can make a big difference. It reduces unnecessary barriers while still keeping smart safeguards in place.
3. Energy Infrastructure Investment
Producers can now get more value out of the infrastructure they’ve already built. That’s good for long-term energy efficiency and good for the economy.
4. Technological Innovation
The decision is based on real science and performance data. It rewards companies that invest in better technology and smarter production strategies.
5. Economic Growth and Job Creation
More production means more jobs, more local investment, and more revenue flowing to Gulf Coast states and communities that rely on the energy industry.
6. Global Energy Leadership
This policy puts the United States in a stronger position on the world stage. When we produce more oil at home, we don’t have to rely on hostile nations or unstable markets.
What It Means for American Families
This isn’t just a win for the energy industry. It’s a win for everyone who fills up a gas tank, pays a heating bill, or runs a small business. By lowering the cost per barrel and speeding up production, this change helps keep energy affordable and reliable for the long haul.
As Secretary Burgum said, “We’re delivering more American energy, more efficiently, and with fewer regulatory roadblocks.”
That means lower costs, more jobs, and stronger energy security for the entire country.
At Fueling Freedom, we believe energy policy should be bold, practical, and focused on results. This offshore production reform checks every box. It’s smart. It’s science-driven. And it’s exactly the kind of leadership we need to keep America on top.
We’re proud to support this step forward and hope to see more like it.