LAGCOE prepares for its first-ever delegation from Russia.
While the Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition is a great way for local and domestic oil and gas companies to see the latest in both offshore and onshore drilling technology, it's also an opportunity to attract buyers from around the globe.
Formed in 2001, LAGCOE's International Committee has worked to recruit international oil industry buyers and welcome them to Lafayette. In 2003, LAGCOE became part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program, which works to bring foreign delegations to the show. This year, all the stars aligned and representatives of the program in Moscow are bringing the first-ever Russian delegation of 18 people, representing six companies.
Chairman of LAGCOE's International Committee and retired manager of Chevron's oil and gas operations in the western Gulf of Mexico, Tony Brown says Russia is currently the largest exporter of oil and natural gas in the world. That status, coupled with Lafayette's reputation as an entrepreneurial oil town, are an obvious match.
"The buyer program has brought attention to Russia and the potential for them to view the latest in equipment and services," Brown says. "The Russian economy is frankly based a lot on the oil and gas industry, and the industry is going out looking for technology and services that the U.S. might have to offer."
Read more about this year's show, set for Oct. 25-27 at the Cajundome, and the Russian delegation's visit in the next issue of ABiz, which will be out on newsstands and direct mailed to Acadiana's top decision-makers Oct. 19.