Incidental Take Authorizations for Oil and Gas
This page lists Incidental Take Authorizations for oil and gas activities. Applications are typically posted online once public review is initiated.
An Interactive Map can be viewed that shows recent and in process authorizations. *Please note that to use the Interactive Map, you will be required to log in.
Authorizations In Process
The following Authorizations are in process:
Renewal of Furie Operating Alaska, LLC Natural Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries received a request from Furie Operating Alaska, LLC for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to activities supporting natural gas production in Cook Inlet, Alaska. Furie’s activities under the renewal IHA would be identical to a subset of those covered in the current IHA. Prior to issuing the current IHA, NOAA Fisheries requested comments on two consecutive proposed IHAs (“initial IHAs”) and the potential for a renewal IHA if certain requirements were satisfied. The renewal requirements have been satisfied.
Hilcorp Alaska, LLC's Ice Road and Ice Trail Construction, Operation, and Maintenance Activities on Alaska's North Slope
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC for promulgation of incidental take regulations and issuance of an associated Letter of Authorization that would authorize continued take of marine mammals over 5 years (2026-2031) incidental to the construction, maintenance and use of sea ice roads, trails and adjacent ice pads after the expiration of the existing ITR and LOA. NOAA Fisheries is proposing regulations setting forth permissible methods of taking, other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on such marine mammal stocks (i.e., mitigation measures), and requirements pertaining to monitoring and reporting takes and requests comments on the proposed rule.
EnerGeo Alliance's Geophysical Survey Activities in the Gulf of America
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the EnerGeo Alliance for the development of regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity conducted in the Gulf of America over a period of 5 years. NOAA Fisheries is announcing receipt of EnerGeo’s request.
Active Authorizations
The following Authorizations are active:
Oil and Gas Industry Geophysical Survey Activity in the Gulf of America
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 4/17/2026 | 4/20/2026 - 4/19/2031 |
Summary: In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, notification is hereby given that NOAA Fisheries promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals during geophysical survey activity conducted in the Gulf of America, over the course of 5 years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization to survey operators for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframe, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Hilcorp Alaska, LLC's Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 2/19/2026 | 2/20/2026 - 2/19/2031 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, issues this final rule pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to specified activities conducted in support of oil and gas exploration, development, production, and decommissioning in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over the course of 5 years (2026-2031) and an associated letter of authorization. Together, the final rule and LOA allow for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described specified activities and timeframes, prescribes the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species and their habitat, and establishes requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
8 Star Alaska, LLC's Construction of the Alaska LNG Project in Cook Inlet, Alaska
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 12/10/2025 | 1/1/2026 - 12/31/2030 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from 8 Star Alaska, LLC, which is jointly owned by Glenfarne and Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, is promulgating regulations to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas project in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over the course of 5 years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during the specified activities in the specified geographical region during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
8 Star Alaska, LLC's Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 11/13/2025 | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to 8 Star Alaska, LLC, a subsidiary of Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas project in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
*Following publication of the notice of proposed IHA the applicant informed NMFS that they are requesting issuance of the IHA to 8 Star Alaska, which is jointly owned by AGDC and Glenfarne Alaska LNG, LLC.
Narwhal, LLC's Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in West Harrison Bay, Alaska
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 8/12/2025 | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Narwhal, LLC to incidentally take by harassment marine mammals during oil and gas exploration activities in west Harrison Bay, Alaska.
Furie Operating Alaska, LLC Natural Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 9/12/2024 | 9/12/2024 - 9/12/2026 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued two incidental harassment authorizations to Furie Operating Alaska, LLC to incidentally harass marine mammals during natural gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
Hilcorp Alaska, LLC construction and operation of the Liberty Drilling and Production Island in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 12/20/2019 | 12/01/2021 - 11/30/2026 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to construction and operation of the Liberty Drilling and Production Island (LDPI) in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska over the course of five years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Withdrawn and Inactive
For documents related to withdrawn applications for Authorization and inactive Authorizations, please contact us.
| Applicant | Activity | Authorization Type | Effective Dates |
| ExxonMobil Alaska LNG, LLC | Geophysical and Geotechnical Program in Cook Inlet, AK | IHA | -- |
| Oil and Gas Industry | Geophysical Survey Activity in the Atlantic Ocean | IHA | N/A |
| Apache Alaska Corp. | Seismic Surveys in Cook Inlet, AK | LOA | 8/19/2016 - 7/20/2021 |
| Furie Operating Alaska, LLC | Seismic survey in Cook Inlet, AK | IHA | -- |
| BlueCrest Alaska Operating, LLC | Exploratory drilling in Cook Inlet, AK | IHA | -- |
| Buccaneer Alaska Operation, LLC | Exploratory drilling in Cook Inlet, AK | IHA | -- |
| SAExploration, Inc. | Seismic surveys in the Beaufort Sea | IHA | -- |
| ConocoPhillips Co. | Exploration drilling in the Chukchi Sea | IHA | -- |
Expired Authorizations
The following Authorizations are expired. For documents related to expired Authorizations, please contact us.
Applicant | Activity | Authorization Type | Effective Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Gasline Development Corporation | Liquefied Natural Gas Construction in Cook Inlet, Alaska | LOA | 1/1/2021 - 12/31/2025 |
| Hilcorp Alaska, LLC and Eni US Operating Co. Inc. | Ice Road and Ice Trail Construction and Maintenance on Alaska’s North Slope | LOA | 12/22/2020 - 11/30/2025 |
| Hilcorp Alaska, LLC | Production Drilling Support Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska | IHA | 9/24/2024 - 9/23/2025 |
| Hilcorp Alaska, LLC | Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska (2022, 2023) | IHA | 9/14/2022 - 9/13/2024 |
| Alaska Gasline Development Corporation | Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Construction in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | IHA | 7/1/2023 - 6/30/2024 |
| TC Energy Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC | East Lateral XPRESS Project in Barataria Bay, Louisiana | IHA | 12/1/2023 - 11/30/2024 |
| Annova LNG Common Infrastructure | LNG Terminal Construction in the Brownsville Ship Channel in Cameron County, Texas | IHA | 3/1/2021 - 2/28/2022 |
| Rio Grande LNG, LLC | LNG Terminal Construction in the Brownsville Ship Channel in Cameron County, Texas | IHA | 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021 |
| Hilcorp Alaska, LLC | Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska | LOA | 7/30/2019 - 7/30/2024 |
| Harvest Alaska, LLC | Cook Inlet Pipeline Cross Inlet Extension Project, Cook Inlet, AK | IHA | 4/25/2018 - 4/24/2019 |
| Neptune LNG, LLC | Decommissioning of Neptune Deepwater Port, MA (2016-2017) | IHA | 10/07/2016 -10/06/2017 |
| BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. | Northstar Oil and Gas Facility Operation in Beaufort Sea | LOA | 1/13/2014 - 1/14/2019 |
| Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. | Ice Overflight Surveys in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska | IHA | 6/10/2015 - 6/09/2016 |
| SAExploration Inc. | Oil and Gas Exploration Seismic Survey Program in Cook Inlet, Alaska | IHA | 05/13/2015 - 05/12/2016 |
| Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp) | Shallow Geohazard Survey in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska | IHA | 07/01/2015 - 10/30/2015 |
| Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. | Exploration Drilling Program in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska | IHA | 07/01/2015 - 10/31/2015 |
| SAExploration Inc. | Seismic Surveys in Beaufort Sea, Alaska | IHA | 07/01/2015 - 10/15/2015 |
| ExxonMobil | Conductor Pipe Installation Activities at Harmony Platform in Santa Barbara Channel, CA | IHA | 09/17/2014 - 09/16/2015 |
| Port Dolphin Deepwater Port | LNG Construction and Operation near Tampa Bay, FL | LOA | 6/01/2013 - 5/31/2018 |
| Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.P. and Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C. | Port and Algonquin Pipeline Operation, Maintenance and Repair in Massachusetts Bay (2016-2017) | IHA | 12/23/2016 -12/22/2017 |
| Neptune LNG, LLC | Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Operation and Maintenance off Massachusetts (2011-2016) | LOA | 07/11/2011 - 07/10/2016 |
| ExxonMobil Alaska LNG, LLC (AK LNG) | Geophysical and Geotechnical Program in Cook Inlet, AK (2015) | IHA | 8/14/2015 -8/13/2016 |
| Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.P. and Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC | LNG Port Operations and Maintenance and Repair in Massachusetts Bay (2015-16) | IHA | 12/23/2015 -12/22/2016 |
| Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.P. and Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C. | LNG Port Operations and Maintenance/ Repair in Massachusetts Bay, MA | IHA | 12/22/2014 - 12/21/2015 |
More Information
- Incidental Take Authorization under the MMPA
- Apply for an Incidental Take Authorization
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for Construction Activities
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for Military Readiness Activities
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for Other Energy Activities
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for Research and Other Activities