Federal regulators renew HEX authorization for Cook Inlet marine-mammal harassment

Federal marine regulators have renewed HEX Operating LLC's authorization to incidentally harass marine mammals during natural gas activities in Cook Inlet.

The National Marine Fisheries Service issued the renewal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. HEX Operating, formerly Furie Operating Alaska LLC, may incidentally harass marine mammals while conducting natural gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The authorization runs from Sept. 13, 2026, through Sept. 12, 2027.

An incidental harassment authorization does not allow intentional harm or killing. It allows a company to proceed with specified work when federal regulators find that expected disturbance to marine mammals will stay within legal limits and mitigation requirements.

Cook Inlet is both an active natural gas basin and habitat for marine mammals, including the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. Federal authorizations for oil and gas activity in the inlet are one place where energy supply, industrial work, and marine-mammal protection meet in public records.

The Federal Register notice provides the core authorization, company name, location, and effective dates. The notice does not list species-specific take numbers or mitigation conditions.

The primary record reviewed is Federal Register notice 2026-12463, "Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to HEX Operating, LLC Natural Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska," published June 22, 2026.