Which company/authority governs oil and gas exploration in the US ? FEDERAL

Permitting of oil & gas exploration projects is typically done at the state level for state owned and privately owned property.  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) handles most oil & gas exploration permitting on federal lands. In my home state of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Oil & Gas has that responsibility. My advice is to check with the Department of Natural Resources or the Department of Mining (if one exists) to find out which agency handles such matters in the state of Washington.