not quite...two different things: leases and drilling permits. Leases give a right to explore and look for deposits. If deposits are found then they file for the permit. No deposits not permit requests.
The environmental weenies try to conflate the two to make it look like companies are either a) knowingly keeping the price high or b) oil is nearly all gone...neither is true but both serve their agenda.
Bigger question is how many permit requests there are that are still not approved because they are being held up by the bureacracy.
How many have been approved since January 20, 2021?............