Last mentioned: Mar 19, 2026
Record Lease Sale
The first sale under the new mandate draws the strongest interest to date from major oil firms.
Record Lease Sale
First sale under the new mandate draws bids from 11 companies for 1.3 million acres.
Legislative Mandate
Congress passes a law requiring five lease sales in the NPR-A over the next decade.
Legislative Mandate
Congress passes a law requiring five lease sales in the NPR-A over the next decade.
Willow Project Approval
The Biden administration authorizes the large-scale Willow oil project within the reserve.
Willow Project Authorization
The Biden administration authorizes ConocoPhillips' massive Willow oil project.
Previous Lease Sale
The last oil and gas lease sale in the NPR-A is held before a multi-year hiatus.
Last Previous Lease Sale
The final oil and gas lease sale in the NPR-A before a multi-year hiatus.
The first oil and gas lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska since 2019 saw 11 companies bid on 1.3 million acres, signaling a major shift in federal energy policy. While state officials hail the results as the strongest to date, environmental groups are mounting legal challenges to protect critical Arctic habitats.
The U.S. Department of Interior's first lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska since 2019 saw 11 companies bid on 1.3 million acres. This surge in interest follows a federal mandate for expanded drilling, though environmental groups continue to challenge the development in court.