HOUSTON, March 23 (Reuters) - The United States and

French energy major TotalEnergies announced on Monday

they would redirect nearly $1 billion from offshore wind leases

to U.S. oil and natural gas production.

The United States will reimburse Total around $1 billion the

company paid in lease purchases for offshore wind, and

TotalEnergies has pledged not to develop any new offshore wind

projects in the United States.