DoI says TotalEnergies to redirect capital from wind leases to natgas projects

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced a landmark agreement with TotalEnergies (TTE) for the company to redirect capital from offshore wind leases toward natural gas projects. TotalEnergies has committed to invest approximately $1B -the value of its renounced offshore wind leases-in oil and natural gas and LNG production in the United States. Following their new investment, the United States will reimburse the company dollar-for-dollar, up to the amount they paid in lease purchases for offshore wind. Additionally, in light of the national security concerns, TotalEnergies has pledged not to develop any new offshore wind projects in the United States, the department said. For its part, TotalEnergies will invest $928M, on the following projects in 2026: The development of Train 1 to 4 of Rio Grande LNG plant in Texas; The development of upstream conventional oil in Gulf of America and of shale gas production.