The US Department of the Interior stated in a legal filing that it will hold both offshore and onshore lease sales by the end of 2021 to comply with a court order, but opponents say the federal agency is intentionally dragging its feet.

Shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden implemented a freeze on oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and in federal waters. That halt was challenged by Louisiana and other states in federal court, a challenge that was upheld by a preliminary injunction issued in June.