Oil giants set their sites on millennials
Aging industry tries to woo a generation that largely sees it in a negative light.
Section Oil and Gas
Lafayette co. patents a fix that keeps the oil flowing
Charles Talley, a 69-year-old self-described “dirt-water or bucket chemist,” is a problem solver. And he’s got 11 patents to show for it.
AP: Supreme Court deadline nears for suit over wetlands loss
[UPDATE: The levee board has asked SCOTUS to revive its lawsuit. Read more here.]
Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge set for Oct. 26 at LAGCOE
Applications are now available, and all energy related businesses and ideas are encouraged to participate.
Stone Energy slashes workforce again
June reduction comes on heels of 50 percent cut in salaries, general and administrative cash costs last year.
Boulet bolts OMR for the private sector
Lafayette’s David Boulet leaves Edwards administration for industrial management job
Fugro transferring workers to Houston
Exact numbers have not been released, but thankfully the impact is nowhere near as bad as the rampant speculation.
Whistleblower’s verdict overturned by appeals court
1st Circuit rules contract employees can’t collect under state whistleblower law
Independent director James M. Trimble assumes interim president and CEO post.
Stone emerges from bankruptcy, explores ‘strategic alternatives’
Led by new Chairman Neal Goldman, the board plans to consider all potential avenues to increase stockholder value, including the acquisition of additional assets, accessing external capital, a business combination or another strategic transaction.
PHI shuttering St. Mary Parish operations, cutting Lafayette jobs
Company says up to 2 percent of Lafayette workforce could be eliminated.
After a head injury sidelined him for a few months, Don Briggs returned to the helm of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association this month.
Halliburton adding 2K U.S. jobs this quarter
CEO says company is ramping up activity faster than anticipated to try to match the surging oilfield activity, especially in West Texas.
ExxonMobil aims to take advantage of ‘American energy revolution’
Oil giant says its 11 manufacturing projects will create more than 45K jobs along U.S. Gulf Coast.
Shell, partner move forward on Kaikias deepwater project in GOM
Kaikias’ break-even price is below $40 per barrel.
In surprise public appearance, LOGA’s Don Briggs talks ‘full recovery’
Trade association president acknowledges his recovery from September fall has gone better than most expected.
Trade group chief continues to recover from head injury sustained in North Carolina fall last October.
Meet the Iron Roughneck — further proof employment in the oil and gas industry may never fully rebound.
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 18 this week to 712. A year ago, 619 rigs were active.
S&P: La. among six states hard hit by energy slump
Six of the country's major energy-producing states have slipped into recession after a sharp decline in production and exploration over the last 18 months caused their tax revenue to plummet and job growth to stagnate.
With some lawmakers already getting cold feet over the idea of a personal income tax change in 2017, a small circle of political players are starting to look at a concept that is being described as a refinery tax.
Docs say trade association chief's “health is progressing daily and prognosis is good for recovery.”
Robert Benoit breaks silence on DNR whistleblower case
Now Mayor-President Joel Robideaux’s confidential assistant, the former DNR chief of staff and Atchafalaya Basin Program assistant director challenges landman Dan Collins to a polygraph test.
Stephens replaces Luquette at Frank’s International
An Abbeville native, Luquette held the top executive post in a transitional capacity since January 2015.
The state’s Office of Mineral Resources is scrambling to audit bankrupt state mineral leaseholders.
Judge revives parish’s lawsuit over coastal wetlands loss
The state Department of Natural Resources doesn't have the staff, funding or capability to conduct the thousands of "administrative enforcement actions" necessary to address the violations alleged by the parish, the judge ruled.
Bishop’s hearing revealed emerging lines of attack on coastal lawsuits
The decision by the Edwards administration to join five parishes in suing oil and gas companies for violations of the Coastal Zone Management Act irks most of his committee.
Bankruptcy inevitable for Stone Energy
Company’s shares slide nearly 50 percent in pre-market trading Friday.
LOGA’s Don Briggs transferred to Lafayette facility
Trade association chief said to be slowly improving after Sept. 30 fall in North Carolina.
INNOV8 Energy Pitch Competition returns to LAGCOE
Innovators interested in participating must submit their innovations and business plans by Sunday, Oct. 16.
‘Life of a Well’ luncheon set for Oct. 27
Explanation of the life cycle of a well targets non-technical energy industry employees and those who want to understand more about the various phases of oil and gas exploration and production.
Frank’s buys Blackhawk Group for $321 million
The merger will be funded $150 million in cash and 12.8 million shares of Frank’s common stock. Approximately $80 million of Blackhawk debt will be repaid at closing with proceeds from the transaction.
Frank’s slashes more Lafayette jobs
Company spokeswoman would not say how many local workers were laid off in what represents at least the fifth round of confirmed cuts since early 2015.
RedHawk Holdings buys stake in Marlin USA Energy Partners
Marlin is the minority owner of Tigress Energy Partners, which is investing up to $250 million of institutional capital on the exploration and production of oil and gas reserves in the south and southwest regions of the U.S.
Halliburton confirms furlough program to avoid more layoffs
For the next 90 days, hourly employees work a reduced schedule per bi-weekly pay period, and salaried employees must take one full week off without pay.
Baker Hughes cuts workers’ pay 5%
Certain groups, including top executives, global operations employees in U.S, many employees in chemicals operations and some human resources workers and sales people, exempt from cuts.
Gulf of Mexico operators evacuating
Platforms and rigs in the path of Tropical Depression No. 9 are shutting in activity.
Four arrested in protest against federal oil lease sales
They want an end to all new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
Stone Energy aims to sell Appalachian assets
Lafayette-based oil and gas producer could get approximately $350 million to pay down its debt.
Judge dismisses Jefferson Parish’s ‘big oil’ coastal suit
Louisiana’s oil industry is hailing a state judge’s dismissal of Jefferson Parish’s lawsuit against oil companies it blames for contributing to coastal damage.
It was once seen a career killer for politicians in a state where the industry employs up to 300,000 people and injects $73 billion into the economy. Until now.
Shell delays LNG project in Lake Charles
News represents second delay on one of oil giant’s LNG projects in a month.
Historic gasoline glut pushing oil prices down
Refinery-driven correction is nothing like the one that took WTI to $26 earlier this year, and some of the factors behind it are seasonal, analysts say.
Trucking, construction companies accuse Sasol of ‘unfair trade practices’
Blackballing, kickbacks and “pay for play” schemes are some of the ways 12 regional trucking and construction companies describe the employment experience for contractors working on local Sasol projects.
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by nine this week to 440. A year ago, 863 rigs were active.
Blue Sky Innovations calling it quits?
Lafayette company laying off entire staff after loss of its only full-time client.
World’s top oil trader: Don’t expect oil price rise this year
Amid weaker demand growth in China and the rest of Asia, Vitol CEO Ian Taylor says crude to end 2016 near $50 a barrel.
LQT Industries awarded three O/G projects
In a positive sign for a struggling oil patch, Broussard-based LQT Industries announced Tuesday contracts on three projects to fabricate and outfit modular buildings and specialty equipment for oil and gas operators.
Delmar buys InterOcean Systems of California
Broussard-based offshore mooring/subsea services company says acquisition will help company diversify outside of oil and gas industry.
Stone makes lender payments, stock surges 9.4 percent
The Motley Fool headline says it all: “Better Late Than Never.”
LEPA constructs $120M natural gas-fired power plant
Morgan City facility is first power plant built in southern region of state in four decades.
Is Stone Energy headed for bankruptcy?
Lafayette independent operator disclosed May 16 that it won’t make a $29 million interest payment due on senior notes maturing in 2022.
US rig count drops to all-time low — again
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. dropped by nine this week to 406, another all-time low amid depressed energy prices.
LEDA Job Fair offers hope for region’s unemployed
LEDA's 21st Annual Job Fair at the Cajundome Convention Center had 94 registered companies that attracted more than 3,200 job seekers.
Wayne Elmore steps in at Knight Oil Tools
Former banker/media exec’s role remains unclear amid speculation a private equity firm is set to become the majority owner of the local oilfield services firm.
Many additional producer bankruptcy filings expected this year as banks cut credit lines.
Landman scores another victory in ongoing whistleblower suit
Dan Collins prevails yet again in legal brawl against illegal oil dredging in Atchafalaya Basin.
As ABiz reported Monday, the civil action against two local oil execs is likely to lead to criminal probes by the SEC and FBI.
Lawsuit: Stabil Drill’s Russo, LeBlanc bilked company for millions
Publicly traded Superior Energy Services claims subsidiary’s former COO and CFO engaged in complex scheme of “self-dealing” over the past eight years.
Oil company to pay fines over Atchafalaya spills
Lafayette-based ORB Exploration LLC has agreed to pay more than $700,000 in fines in connection with three crude oil spills in the Atchafalaya Basin.
Judge denies motion for new trial in Atchafalaya whistleblower suit
The 19th JDC denies request by the State to throw out the jury’s initial verdict or grant a new trial
New website helps displaced energy workers find jobs
Lake Charles/Lafayette partnership continues efforts to assist companies looking for worker and workers looking for jobs.
Frank’s International owes workers $555K in back wages
Ongoing Labor Department initiative finds oil and gas employees in nine states were underpaid $1.6M for their overtime work.
US judge OKs $20B settlement from 2010 BP oil spill
The settlement, first announced in July, includes $5.5 billion in civil Clean Water Act penalties and billions more to cover environmental damage and other claims by the five Gulf states and local governments.
Atchafalaya antics alive and well
Although his legal battle continues, a whistleblower is finally vindicated in a case that should — but almost certainly won’t — send some current and former state officials to jail.
Oil and Gas Survives, Thrives Online
Whether in a boom or bust cycle, the most successful oil patch firms should make online strategy a priority now.
Frank’s International confirms Round 4 of layoffs
Most recent job cuts represent the fourth round of layoffs at the oilfield services company over the past year.
OPEC unlikely to cut output at June meet
OPEC sources & delegates say it is too early to say how fast Iranian output is rising.
Bloomberg: Cheniere’s first shale LNG export heads to Brazil
Brazil has increased LNG imports in the past few years after an agreement to buy gas via a pipeline from Bolivia reached its limits.
Court: Flood board can hire outside lawyers for oil suit
While it was a victory for the flood board, a major test lies ahead at a federal appeals court, where the board hopes to overturn a U.S. District judge's 2015 dismissal of the lawsuit.
Is Knight Oil Tools ‘on the verge of bankruptcy’?
In a Dec. 31 Facebook post, Mark Knight’s daughter says her father’s siblings have wrecked the once-profitable company.
Oil jumps 12% amid possible OPEC deal
ABOUT FACE: OPEC members appear ready to cooperate on production cuts.
Chevron ‘WARNs’ of more layoffs
More bad news for an oil-dependent Lafayette economy that’s beginning to reel amid abysmally low oil prices.
Oil crisis: investment dream or acquisition nightmare?
Buying low and selling high in this market only works if you know the TRUE value of your acquisition.
Top exec Blackwell out at Knight Oil Tools
Amid rampant speculation the embattled company is entertaining potential suitors, new president and CEO confirms his departure.
Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says 498 rigs sought oil and 121 explored for natural gas amid depressed energy prices. A year ago, 1,543 rigs were active.
Halliburton sheds another 4K jobs
No end of downturn in sight for oil field services giant and its competitors.
Keith Mosing exits as chairman of Frank’s International
Longtime exec, who had relinquished president/CEO roles in January 2015, will remain on board but is no longer involved in day-to-day operations.
Taylor Energy schedules public forum on decade-old oil leak in Gulf
The Jan. 20 forum in Baton Rouge was a requirement of Taylor Energy Co.’s court settlement in September with environmental groups, which accused the company of withholding information about the leak and its efforts to end it.
Frackers running out of survival tricks
Those mining in shale formations surprised many with their resiliency, mainly tied to technological advancements, but that’s when oil was $50 a barrel.
LOGA Drilling Report: WTI stabilizes at $36.20 a barrel
In his weekly update, Marketing Director Ben Broussard delivers a bit of good news about the U.S. rig count in the days leading up to Christmas 2015.
Global oil production is running close to record highs with more barrels set to enter the market from Iran and Libya.
BP spill: Judge fines minority owner $159M
In a statement, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. of Houston said it's pleased the penalty is less than what prosecutors requested, but may appeal.
Bernhard group buys ATC Associates
CEO Bobby Toups and the remainder of the legacy ATC Associates Inc. management team will continue to lead the company.
“This pipeline would neither be a silver bullet for the economy, as was promised by some, nor the express lane to climate disaster proclaimed by others.”
Frank’s International slashes 100 more jobs
October announcement follows several hundred job losses in late March.
This too shall pass, and when this downturn turns around — as it always does — the local oil patch will be looking to fill lots of posts with educated and skilled workers. And South Louisiana Community College believes it will provide those companies with just the right candidates.
Growing the Acadiana Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Angel Funds and Angel Networks with a sweet spot of investing $150,000 to $1.5 million are salivating for viable, growth-oriented businesses.
Major LNG export facility coming to Cameron
Former Louisiana Gov. Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer, the chairman of G2 LNG, says the company is in discussions with potential customers in Asia, Europe, India and the Caribbean.
St. Landry Parish lands $400 million oil storage and blending facility
Locally based Hazelwood Energy Hub says project will create 120 direct jobs.
EPA sets stricter emission standards for oil refineries
Photo by Walter Siegmund/WikimediaWASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency announced new rules Tuesday to reduce toxic air pollution from oil refineries by forcing operators to adopt
After $7 billion invested, Shell abandons Alaska drilling
Move dims oil prospects, delights environmentalists
Federal judge halts seizure of Moreno’s property
Sale of Baton Rouge and New Iberia tracts on hold pending arbitration hearing.
$230M asset-stripping claim against Moreno moves forward
Green Field judge says liquidating trustee fielded a “robust” complaint and had sufficiently pleaded enough so-called badges of fraud to survive Moreno’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Fabrication work is for Shell’s deepwater Appomattox project and will create new jobs at Amelia facility.
Trinity Marine Products shuttering Brusly plant, laying off 283
Barge builder says layoffs will start Oct. 23.
Schlumberger buying Cameron for $14.8B
Cameron shareholders get 56 percent premium in cash and stock deal, one of many mergers expected in the struggling industry.
Transportation group presses candidates to support gas tax
With Louisiana’s highway and bridge needs topping $12 billion, a transportation advocacy group said Monday that the state’s next governor should back an increase in the gasoline tax to shrink the backlog, fill potholes and ease traffic.
The Gulf oil spill you never heard about
The leak dates to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, when storm-whipped waves in the Gulf triggered an underwater mudslide that toppled a Taylor Energy-owned oil platform and buried a cluster of its wells under mounds of sediment. Oil is still leaking at the site more than a decade later, with slicks often stretching for miles off Louisiana's coast.
International Energy Agency warned Friday that crude prices could fall again amid demand growth that is slowing.
Oil prices took another steep plunge Tuesday, marking its “third-worst single-day” drop since the oil bust began last summer.
La. gets $6.8B of $18.7B BP settlement
Pending court approval, settlement money will be used to resolve the Clean Water Act penalties; resolve natural resources damage claims; settle economic claims; and resolve economic damage claims of local governments.
Chevron shuttering Johnston Street office
Hundreds of local employees will be impacted over the next 18 months by Chevron's decision to consolidate its Gulf operations in Covington.
Oil price drop claims more local jobs
About 76 more jobs will be claimed before the year's end, according to announcement issued this week on plans to close an oil and gas equipment plant in Broussard.
Once vilified, BP now getting credit for gulf tourism boom
Fallout from the oil spill that left Gulf Coast beaches smeared with gooey tar balls and scared away visitors in 2010 is being credited, oddly, with something no one imagined back then: An increase in tourism in the region.
Frank’s confirms 150 local jobs slashed
Oilfield services firm cites falling oil prices and declining rig counts for workforce reduction.
SCOTUS declines maritime appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a case that could have had far-reaching implications for the oil and gas industry. Now, the matter is settled, says an attorney for the industry.
Oil prices rise to highest level of year
Benchmark U.S. crude jumped $1.14 to $61.54 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, but weak U.S. economic report sends stock market down.
Knight Oil Tools expands New Mexico operations
The new facility houses the company’s Rental Tool Services and Fishing Services units and will serve Knight Oil Tools customers in the Mid-Continent Region and the Permian Basin in New Mexico and W. Texas.
Big Oil goes mobile for education
The Houston-based Offshore Energy Center is teaching public- and private-school children in Acadiana about the industry this week.
Enviro groups call for more transparency in addressing little-known oil spill
Three environmental groups are asking federal agencies to make sure the public is involved in responses to a little known, decade-old oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana's coast.
$134M proposed for 10 BP-funded oil spill recovery projects
State and federal officials overseeing $1 billion provided by BP PLC to spur recovery from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill said Monday that they're proposing another 10 projects totaling $134 million.
‘We’ll spend more money this time than ever before’
LMOGA President Chris John on the trade group’s spending plans for fall elections.
If prosecutors can prove their case and others familiar with Knight Oil Tools are correct, this story reads like a script pulled from a TV crime drama.
5 years after BP spill, industry touts ability to respond
Oil companies say they can clean up offshore spills far faster today than five years ago when BP's Macondo well blew out 45 miles off the coast of Louisiana, spawning the nation's worst offshore oil spill.
Frank’s International laying off 400-600
Houston-based public company, which has domestic headquarters in Lafayette, releases few details.
Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas lost 36 rigs and Louisiana 18. New Mexico declined by five, North Dakota and Ohio each dropped three and Arkansas and Kansas lost two apiece.
O&G leasing in Gulf slows to a trickle
Regulators say only 195 bids were placed on the 41 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico up for new oil and gas leasing off of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Up? Down? Where does crude go from here?
Landsliding oil prices dropped to new lows Tuesday, hitting their lowest mark in nearly six years. And some analysts say it'll get worse before getting better.
La. gov hopefuls talk to O/G industry
Louisiana's candidates for governor assured a group of oil and gas business leaders Friday that they understand the industry's value to the state.
Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. fell by 67 this week to 1,125 amid depressed oil prices.
US judge returns coastal protection suit to state court
Louisiana State University law professor Edward Richards said Thursday that the parishes will have a much better chance of winning in state court than they would in federal court.
Frank’s Intl. buys Timco in $95M deal
Transaction includes $75 million in upfront cash and another potential $20 million tied to market conditions.
Coming soon: More O&G layoffs slated for Louisiana
It appears another round of layoffs of as many as 400 of Louisiana’s oil and gas workers are slated for the chopping block, with 50 to 300 of those coming from a company in Iberia Parish.
BP ends attempt to oust Juneau
BP has ended its effort to have courts remove the administrator of claims arising from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Federal oil lease sale set for August
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management estimates the proposed lease sale could result in the production of up to 200 million barrels of oil and 938 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
Flood board to continue appeal in 'Big Oil' lawsuit
In a close vote, a New Orleans flood protection board has refused to abandon its appeal of the dismissal of a coastal erosion lawsuit against oil, gas and pipeline companies.
Defying GOP, Obama vetoes Keystone XL
"The presidential power to veto legislation is one I take seriously," Obama said in a brief notice delivered to the Senate. "But I also take seriously my responsibility to the American people."
Levee board flexes some muscle; Corps actually responds
After all the ballyhoo raised last year by lawmakers and their special interest friends hoping to cripple the New Orleans levee board and its landmark coastal damages lawsuit against 97 oil and gas companies, vindication has finally arrived.
Hercules Offshore loses sales tax appeal
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal has sided with the Lafayette Parish School Board’s tax-collection division over a $340,000 bill for unpaid sales and use taxes.
Congress approves Keystone XL as Obama readies his veto pen
The Republican-controlled Congress cleared a bill Wednesday to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline, setting up a confrontation with President Barack Obama, who has threatened to veto the measure.
Halliburton cutting at least 5,000 jobs
The company said the cuts will come from all areas of its operations and that the moves are necessary because of the difficult market.
$2 Billion LNG plant coming to Calcasieu Ship Channel
On the heels of Sasol’s decision to delay its Westlake LNG project comes word of a new export terminal also in Lake Charles market.
EPA: Keystone enviro impact worrisome
The agency suggests that lower oil prices could make the pipeline more important in the development of the oil sands, and thus a chief culprit in the "significant greenhouse gas emissions" they would produce.
BP (again) targets Lafayette attorney Juneau
BP was back in court Tuesday, trying to oust the man responsible for doling out billions of dollars in settlement money to businesses claiming they were hampered by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
House to vote next week on Keystone XL
House Republican leaders say the House will vote next week on legislation to construct the Keystone XL pipeline and send it to President Barack Obama. Obama has threatened a veto.
Louisiana's BP fine cut by $240M
The windfall in coastal-restoration money Louisiana hopes to gain from the Deepwater Horizon disaster took at least a $240 million hit last week when a federal judge ruled that BP spilled 3.19 million barrels into the Gulf of Mexico, not the 4.19 million claimed by the federal government.
Sasol’s GTL plant 1st major casualty of falling oil prices?
South African company says it’s delaying plans for its $14 billion project near Lake Charles.
New lawsuits have oil fighting two fronts
The latest lawsuits could reignite interest by lawmakers to try and tackle the issue of suing oil companies over allegedly violating coastal zone regulations, after such an effort failed in last year’s regular session.
BP to call witnesses as it fights for lesser spill penalty
It will be oil giant BP’s turn Monday to call witnesses as it makes its case for a civil penalty lower than the $13.7 billion the federal government is seeking for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. fell by 43 this week to 1,633.
Baker Hughes says it will cut 7,000 jobs
On the heels of layoff confirmations from Schlumberger and Halliburton, which is likely to announce even more cuts Tuesday, comes discouraging news from another oilfield services giant.
Federal lawyers have begun making their case for adding some $13.7 billion in penalties to costs already incurred by BP after the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
Bleeding unabated in oil patch
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. tumbled by 74 this week to 1,676.
Judge: 3 million barrels discharged after BP spill
A federal judge determined Thursday that more oil than BP estimated spilled into the Gulf of Mexico following a rig explosion in 2010, a decision that could potentially cost the London-based oil giant more than $13 billion.
Reuters: Ground level for oil price could be very low
Much of what could be a grim scenario for Acadiana’s economy hinges on Saudi Arabia.
Entergy plans $187 million transmission project in LC area
Lake Charles’ anticipated electricity demand, thanks to an unprecedented industrial boom in the region, has prompted the utility company to invest almost $190 million in a transmission project in southwest Louisiana.
Senate advances Keystone XL bill despite veto threat
Legislation approving construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline cleared an initial Senate hurdle Monday, a victory for newly empowered Republicans angling for a quick veto showdown with President Barack Obama.
House overwhelmingly approves Keystone XL pipeline
The House overwhelmingly passed a bill on Friday authorizing the Keystone XL oil pipeline, despite a renewed pledge by the White House to veto the legislation.
Rig count continues sharp decline
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. plummeted by 61 this week to 1,750.
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. plummeted by 29 last week to 1,811.
Texas law firm target of BP lawsuit
Photo by John Mosier GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — Two Texas attorneys have asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by three Mississippi businessmen who argue they are owed $7.9 million for
Rig count continues to plummet
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. plunged by 35 last week to 1,840.
Industry keeps wary eye on oil price
As oil prices continue to plummet, state officials are preparing for yet another round of reductions in early 2015 that will only exacerbate a sliding revenue picture.
Abbeville native Luquette named top exec at Frank’s
Former president of Chevron North America Exploration and Production is first non-Mosing to serve as president and CEO.
U.S. rigs continue steep decline
North Dakota declined by seven, Oklahoma by six, Texas down four, Louisiana off three, and Ohio and West Virginia each decreased two.
Oil's slide rattles junk bonds
High-yield bonds are on track for their worst drop in a year and a half after investors dumped risky securities issued by energy companies.
Rig count plummets; Texas affected most
The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. fell by 27 this week to 1,893.
'Big Oil' rehashes failed arguments
A federal judge Wednesday heard a second round of arguments over the meaning and constitutionality of a state law meant to kill the controversial lawsuit filed by a local flood-protection board against oil and gas companies for wetlands damage.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s oil minister scoffed at the notion of slowing down production, followed the next day by the biggest dip in U.S. crude prices in over five years.
Arguments heard on law to kill 'Big Oil' lawsuit
A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday over the constitutionality of a law passed by the Louisiana Legislature this year that was designed to kill a lawsuit brought against oil and gas companies by a regional flood board over wetlands damage.
Arguments set on law to kill 'Big Oil' lawsuit
More arguments are set in federal court over attempts by state lawmakers to kill a southeast Louisiana flood board's lawsuit against dozens of oil, gas and pipeline companies.
BP: Restructuring to cost $1 billion in next year
Oil giant BP has warned that plans to streamline its business will cost it $1 billion over the next year.
Stone Energy gushing over Utica well
“Results from the Pribble 6HU well confirm the high potential of the Utica shale underlying our current liquids-rich Marcellus acreage position.” — Stone Energy CEO Dave Welch
PetroQuest announces new O and G discovery
A new cache of oil and natural gas, described as a “significant discovery,” was announced Tuesday by PetroQuest Energy at its Thunder Bayou well prospect in Vermilion Parish.
The Supreme Court is leaving in place BP's multibillion-dollar settlement with lawyers for businesses and residents over the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf.
Chevron commences major deep water GOM production
First oil and natural gas flowing from deepwater Jack/St. Malo project 280 miles south of New Orleans.
Economist Scott: low oil prices could jeopardize state's industrial boom
"I am only getting a little nervous about two projects - the proposed Sasol GTL facility [not the new ethylene plant] and the proposed G2X facility - both in Lake Charles. They need a hefty...
As OPEC faces tough test, lower oil prices loom
Lower oil prices also might slow the growth of oil production in parts of the U.S., Canada and elsewhere because it will no longer be so profitable. NEW YORK (AP) - These are the moments OPEC exists...
Abbeville man dies in Gulf platform explosion
Thursday's explosion aboard an oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico is now under investigation by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Jerrel "Bubba"...
Hearing set in flood board's oil industry lawsuit
Lawyers for dozens of oil, gas and pipeline companies are heading to court to make their case for dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a south Louisiana levee board. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Lawyers for dozens...
Court reaffirms BP is liable in Gulf oil spill
BP and its minority partner in the Macondo well, Anadarko Petroleum Corp., have a request pending for the full 15-member court to reconsider the issue. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal appeals court panel...
Two oil companies and levee board settle for $50K
Two privately held Texas oil companies that were among nearly 90 defendants named in the New Orleans levee board's landmark environmental lawsuit have settled. Two privately held Texas oil companies...
Low oil prices send chills through oil patch
Lower oil prices, while good for the broader U.S. economy, are a threat to what has been a surprising and dramatic surge in oil production in the U.S. Photos: Wikimedia Commons WILLISTON, N.D. (AP)...
Sasol gives final investment nod to $8.1B Lake Charles complex
Despite a decline in global oil prices affecting the outlook for domestic ethylene producers, South African company moves forward. Despite a decline in global oil prices that led Goldman Sachs Group...
La. rig count falls as U.S. gains 9
1,595 rigs were exploring for oil and 332 for gas. A year ago there were 1,738 active rigs. Wikimedia Commons HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs...
Is Louisiana's O&G industry ready to head south of the border? The Mexican government made history earlier this year by constitutionally reforming its oil and gas industry to allow for foreign...
Age 60 looks good on the country's second-largest oil and gas show. LAGCOE 2015 will celebrate our 60th year of operation. Industry volunteers have worked tirelessly for decades to welcome attendees...
LAGCOE Career Fair returns Oct. 29
Event addresses the industry's growing need for qualified employees by providing an industry specific networking event. The Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition will be hosting the LAGCOE Career Fair...
The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S....
Phony fisherman netted $75,000 in BP spill claim
The U.S. Attorney in New Orleans says a Slidell man has pleaded guilty to fraud in connection with a claim he filed related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico BP oil spill. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The U.S....
Judge: New law can't stop 'Big Oil' lawsuit
A state judge in Baton Rouge ruled Monday that Louisiana's Legislature missed its mark when it passed a bill seeking to halt a south Louisiana flood board's lawsuit against dozens of oil, gas and...
Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by nine this week to 1,922. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker...
BP: Judge should amend 'gross negligence' ruling
BP has asked a federal judge to reconsider a ruling that could cost the oil giant around $18 billion in additional fines stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. NEW ORLEANS (AP) -...
The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S....
Survival of Big Oil lawsuit hinges on fate of 1 levee board member
The struggle for control of the regional flood authority board and its lawsuit against oil and gas companies for wetlands damage has taken an unexpected turn. The struggle for control of the regional...
Businesses won't have to return BP spill payouts
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier agreed several weeks ago to change the compensation formula for any future payments, but he ruled Wednesday that a deal is a deal when it comes to money BP has already...
Court hears from targets in federal oil spill settlement investigation
Targets of an investigation of alleged corruption within the settlement program for compensating victims of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill will be in federal court Tuesday. NEW ORLEANS (AP) -...
US rig count unchanged at 1,931
Texas declined by five rigs, West Virginia dropped three and Louisiana was down two. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural...
Court approves Transocean probe
A federal appeals court in New Orleans has upheld a federal safety board's right to investigate the role of Transocean Deepwater Drilling Corp. in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. NEW ORLEANS...
Panel backs oil lawsuit supporter
A supporter of a lawsuit against the oil industry has been re-nominated to a seat on a south Louisiana flood control board despite opposition from Gov. Bobby Jindal. HARAHAN, La. (AP) - A supporter of...
Panel could give Jindal chance to kill oil lawsuit
The nominating committee for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East was set Thursday to nominate applicants for two people on the board whose terms have expired. HARAHAN, La. (AP) - A...
Cameron's possible oil co. lawsuit hits snag
Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says he won't approve a Cameron Parish Police Jury resolution to hire outside attorneys for such a lawsuit until the resolution is amended. Caldwell's Sept. 15 letter...
Chevron draining natural gas after worker death
Authorities said that a Chevron Corp. subsidiary was still releasing natural gas Sunday from a pipeline off the Louisiana coast where a Saturday incident killed a maintenance worker. NEW ORLEANS (AP)...
Industry muzzles settlement talk
Despite what was said at a coastal forum in New Orleans last month, oil and gas insiders contend a settlement is not in the stars for the massive lawsuit filed against nearly 100 energy companies by...
Environmentalists, fishermen and others are celebrating a federal judge's ruling that could mean $18 billion in additional fines for BP over the nation's worst oil spill. NEW ORLEANS (AP) -...
Judge: BP's reckless conduct caused Gulf oil spill
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier's ruling Thursday could nearly quadruple the amount of civil penalties for polluting the Gulf of Mexico with oil from BP's Macondo well in 2010. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)...
Halliburton reaches $1B Gulf oil spill settlement
Halliburton's agreement to pay more than $1 billion to settle numerous claims involving the 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill could be a way for the company and victims of the spill to avoid years of...
BP: oust claims head for conflict of interest
BP says it recently obtained correspondence between Patrick Juneau's Lafayette law firm and the Gulf Coast Claims Facility showing he argued for liberal compensation, flexible documentation...
Halliburton reaches $1.1B oil spill settlement
Halliburton says it has agreed to pay $1.1 billion to settle a substantial portion of plaintiff claims arising from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. HOUSTON (AP) - Halliburton says it has agreed to...
The Houston firm said Friday in its weekly report that 1,575 rigs were exploring for oil and 338 for gas. One was listed as miscellaneous. A year ago there were 1,776 active rigs. HOUSTON (AP) -...
Future of 'Big Oil' suit at stake as panel meets
It will be next month before Gov. Bobby Jindal will likely get a chance to change the membership of a South Louisiana flood board that is suing dozens of oil, gas and pipeline companies. NEW ORLEANS...
Lawsuit fight makes choosing new Flood Authority members a very tricky business
"Byzantine" is the word members of the nominating committee for the local flood protection authority often use to describe the complicated, multi-layered matrix of qualifications that must...
The future of the coastal loss lawsuit could rest in hands of board's nominating committee. The future of the coastal loss lawsuit could rest in hands of board's nominating committee. By Bob Marshall,...
Shell sells shale gas rights for $2.1 billion
Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to sell drilling rights in shale formations in Louisiana and Wyoming for $2.1 billion in two transactions. Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to sell drilling rights in shale...
1,588 rigs were exploring for oil and 316 for gas. Four were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago there were 1,778 active rigs. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the...
Board challenges law blocking 'big oil' lawsuit
A south Louisiana flood board has launched a legal fight against a new state law aimed at retroactively killing a lawsuit filed last year over coastal damage attributed to oil and gas drilling. NEW...
ProPublica: Report criticizes EPA oversight of injection wells
The Government Accountability Office says environmental regulators are failing to adequately enforce rules for wells used to dispose of toxic waste from drilling. Wikimedia Commons A drilling site...
BP asks Supreme Court to hear settlement appeal
BP PLC has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out part of its settlement of claims for damage from its enormous oil spill in 2010 - a section saying businesses don't have to prove that the spill...
Trial date to be set in ex-BP exec's case
A judge is getting ready to set a new trial date for a former BP executive charged with obstructing a congressional investigation into the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A judge is...
$15M earmarked for La.'s spill litigation
Lawmakers have added $15 million to the attorney general's budget to pay for Louisiana's ongoing legal case against BP for damages caused by the 2010 Gulf oil spill. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers...
Future of coastal loss lawsuit could rest in hands of board's nominating committee
High-dollar legal teams are preparing to spar in federal court over the regional levee authority's historic lawsuit against oil and gas companies, but a panel of volunteers could preempt those efforts...
Lawyer for levee authority says battle over coastal loss lawsuit just beginning
When Gov. Bobby Jindal signed a controversial bill retroactively banning the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East from filing lawsuits without his permission, many people thought that...
Basinkeeper, St. Martin gov't unite against expansion plan
"There is something about being out on the swamp when you are alone that sucks the poisons of civilization out of you. It's a sort of healing power that lets you be yourself again. That's the...
AG: 'Big Oil' lawsuit supporter's term is over
Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says a south Louisiana flood board member who supports the board's environmental lawsuit against the oil and gas industry has reached the end of his term. NEW...
Big Oil's go-to scholar at it again
Controversial LSU professor David Dismukes has come under fire once again, this time from 20 solar-power groups over his role in a Louisiana PSC study on the costs and benefits of alternative...
Louisiana refuses to disclose oil train records
Louisiana officials are refusing to disclose the details of crude oil shipments railroads haul through the state. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana officials are refusing to disclose the details of...
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained seven rigs, New Mexico and West Virginia were up two and Oklahoma added one. Pennsylvania declined by five, California lost three, Louisiana...
Judge hears arguments in oil industry lawsuit
Lawyers are arguing in a New Orleans courtroom about whether a Plaquemines Parish lawsuit against oil companies over coastal damage belongs in state or federal court. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Lawyers are...
Fed hearing set on parish-v-oil industry suit
Lawyers for Plaquemines Parish are set to argue that a lawsuit the parish filed against oil companies over coastal damage belongs in state court. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Lawyers for Plaquemines Parish are...
PetroQuest buys $24M stake in central La. oil play
Independent energy producers PetroQuest Energy Inc. and Midstates Petroleum Co. Inc. are working together to develop Midstates' Fleetwood project. Independent energy producers PetroQuest Energy Inc....
Stone selling GOM shelf properties for $317M
In deal with Talos Energy Offshore, Stone retains an option for a 50 percent working interest in the deep drilling rights on the properties. David Welch Independent oil and gas producer Stone Energy...
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma gained eight rigs, Pennsylvania gained two and Alaska, California, Colorado, North Dakota and Ohio each gained one. Kansas lost three rigs while...
Can the levee board suit survive?
The local flood protection authority's lawsuit against 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies lives to die another day. The authority's board voted 4-4 last week on a motion to withdraw the suit. The...
No, these aren't alien crop circles
In case you were harboring any doubts as to the oil and gas industry's impact on Louisiana's coastline, this video from Walter Williams should ease your mind. In case you were harboring any doubts as...
'Big Oil' lawsuit survives in 4-4 vote
A south Louisiana flood control board isn't ready to give up yet on its lawsuit against 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies over coastal wetlands damage -- despite a new law aimed at squelching the...
Sen. Landrieu criticizes proposed EPA regulations
Louisiana's senior senator traveled to a coal-fired power plant in the state Monday to highlight her opposition to President Barack Obama's regulatory plan to cut carbon dioxide pollution. NEW ROADS...
Oil still greasing the discussion post-session
More than a week after the regular session adjourned, Louisiana's oil and gas industry is still capping off what has arguably been its biggest initiative in years. More than a week after the regular...
SCOTUS: BP must pay claims during appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court says BP must continue paying claims from a fund established after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill while the company appeals terms of its settlement with some businesses. NEW...
Jindal signs bill killing levee board lawsuit
With the stroke of a pen Friday morning Gov. Bobby Jindal signed Senate Bill 469, which retroactively quashes a lawsuit filed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East against 97...
What was BP's role in killing levee board lawsuit?
That Senate Bill 469 - which aims to kill the New Orleans levee board's lawsuit against 97 oil and gas companies for coastal damages - could absolve BP from paying billions worth of damages claims...
Safety board faults key device in BP oil spill
A federal board investigation into the 2010 BP oil spill concludes that a last-ditch safety device on the underwater well had multiple failures, wasn't tested properly and still poses a risk for many...
BP on the hook for Clean Water Act fines
The owners of the blown-out Macondo well cannot avoid federal fines for the 2010 oil spill by blaming another company's failed equipment, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. NEW ORLEANS (AP) -...
AG: Jindal should veto bill killing oil lawsuit
"The language proposed in SB 469 is vaguely broad and since it deals with the elimination of causes and rights of actions which protect Louisiana, I recommend that it be vetoed," Attorney...
Jindal could disrupt billions in BP claims
Twenty-three eminent law scholars from universities nationwide say Gov. Bobby Jindal could jeopardize billions in BP damage claims if he signs Senate Bill 469 into law. Twenty-three eminent law...
UL geology students best at determining where to drill for oil
University becomes first-ever to twice win top honor in contest sponsored by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. A team of UL Lafayette geology students was featured in the American...
Jindal stalls on signing bill to kill levee board suit
Despite leading the charge going into this year's legislative session to kill the New Orleans levee board lawsuit against 97 oil and gas companies, Gov. Bobby Jindal, with the only bill to make it...
Energy execs insist settlements not in the cards
With the legacy lawsuit bill now signed into law, and the bill to kill the Orleans-area flood protection authority's suit against 97 energy companies pending a signature, the oil and gas industry...
Bill to void levee board lawsuit heads to Jindal
The oil and gas industry won a significant victory Friday in the Louisiana Legislature, receiving final passage of a bill that seeks to kill a lawsuit filed by a New Orleans area levee board against...
Levee board suit has House divided
Only one bill against the levee board lawsuit remains, and it's expected for a final vote Thursday in the House, where a surprising number of lawmakers remain undecided. After more than a dozen bills...
New requirements set for Keystone XL
Safety regulators have quietly placed two extra conditions on construction of TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL oil pipeline after learning of potentially dangerous construction defects. WASHINGTON (AP)...
Levee board suit one step closer to death
Of the Acadiana delegation's three members of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, only Reps. Jack Montoucet and Stephen Ortego voted against a bill to kill the lawsuit filed by a...
BP to seek SCOTUS ruling on claims
BP PLC said Wednesday it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether businesses must prove they were directly harmed by the 2010 Gulf Of Mexico oil spill to collect payments from a 2012...
GE Oil & Gas hiring for 65 posts at job fair
GE Oil & Gas is hosting a job fair Wednesday in Lafayette. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - GE Oil & Gas is hosting a job fair Wednesday in Lafayette. The company is looking to fill 65 positions in...
Texas declined by four rigs, Alaska, New Mexico and West Virginia were down two each, and Louisiana lost one. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs...
EPA proposes changes to refinery emission rules
The move is part of a consent decree that resolved a lawsuit filed on behalf of people directly affected by emissions from refineries in Louisiana, Texas and California. WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S....
Sen. Bret Allain has much more in common with the levee board than he lets on. State Sen. Bret Allain's staunch opposition to the New Orleans levee board's lawsuit must exist only within the walls of...
Louisiana was unchanged; greedy trial lawyers must be vacationing. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. rose...
Sen. Bret Allain's backdoor tactic
When Sen. Bret Allain (R-Franklin) realized the odds were stacked against his Senate Bill 531, he shopped venues until he found a committee more favorable to killing the lawsuit filed by the New...
Senate backs bill to undermine levee board lawsuit
"There is litigation pending, and there is a venue and an opportunity pending ... to make those arguments and to win. This ain‘t the place." - Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Kenner. BATON ROUGE, La....
Stone offering 5 million shares of common stock
The NYSE-traded independent oil and gas producer's stock price, which has been steadily climbing, is up $1.06 Wednesday, to $44.29. Stone Energy Corporation Wednesday announced the start of a...
Senate expected to vote on bill to kill levee board lawsuit
The state Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on Sen. Robert Adley's S.B. 469, which would retroactively prevent levee boards from filing suit against the oil and gas industry. The state Senate is...
60 Minutes exposes depth of fraudulent BP claims
Included in paid claims is a wireless phone company store that burned to the ground before the spill, an RV park foreclosed upon before the offshore disaster and a Pontiac dealer who could no longer...
Letter to the Editor: Let the court decide levee board suit
Cajun Renaissance man Zachary Richard says the courts - not legislators - should decide whether oil companies pay for the damage they caused to our coast. [Editor's Note: SB 469 is headed to the...
Ukraine unrest shows need for Keystone
Sen. Mary Landrieu said Tuesday that instability in Ukraine makes the case for building the Keystone XL oil pipeline in the United States. WASHINGTON (AP) - The head of the Senate Energy and Natural...
Economists back increased U.S. oil and gas exports (2)
Vast majority surveyed say lifting restrictions on exports would help the economy even if it meant higher fuel prices for consumers. NEW YORK (AP) - Whether to allow more exports of U.S. oil and...
Economists back increased U.S. oil and gas exports
Vast majority surveyed say lifting restrictions on exports would help the economy even if it meant higher fuel prices for consumers. NEW YORK (AP) - Whether to allow more exports of U.S. oil and...
Pipeline supporters seek quick Senate vote
In a struggle steeped in election-year politics, supporters of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline are seeking a swift Senate vote on legislation to approve construction of the project that...
Pipeline expansion to serve LNG exporter
An Oklahoma company plans to expand a pipeline to supply natural gas to Cheniere Energy Partners' Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas plant in Cameron Parish. CAMERON, La. (AP) - An Oklahoma company...
Deadlines, meetings set ahead of Jan. BP trial
A federal court magistrate has issued a seven-page schedule of hearings, conferences and deadlines leading up to January's trial aimed at determining how much money BP will owe in Clean Water Act...
BP on track to have busiest Gulf year ever
The state's "greedy trial lawyers" haven't scared this oil giant away. BP conducts rig repairs at its Mad Dog oilfield in the Gulf of Mexico in 2012. The field is located about 190 miles ...
LAGCOE and INNOV8 spotlight energy innovation
See cutting-edge technologies Thursday in brief presentations/demonstrations from 3rd Dimension Media, C&C Technologies, Cimation and UL Lafayette School of Engineering. The first INNOV8 event...
Moreno personally on the hook for $25 million loan
His company bankrupt and being liquidated, the Lafayette businessman's financial troubles are mounting. In late 2012, Lafayette businessman Mike Moreno, an entrepreneur in his mid-40s who has been a...
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana gained nine rigs, Texas increased by seven, California gained three and New Mexico increased by one. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company...
11 Senate Democrats to Obama: Approve Keystone XL
Eleven Senate Democrats, including Louisiana's Mary Landrieu and five others who face contested races this year, urged President Barack Obama on Thursday to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline by the...
'Greedy trial lawyers' agree to tear up contingency contract
The attorneys representing the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East in its lawsuit against 97 oil and gas companies may have just quashed the main line of criticism coming from Gov....
It'll be another week before Rep. Joel Robideaux's House Bill 862 - an attempt at making it more cumbersome for parish governments to sue oil and gas companies - undergoes its first round of...
Ruling may lead to higher taxes for salt domes
Because ... greedy trial lawyers? BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Supreme Court has upheld an appeals court ruling on the taxation of underground salt dome caverns that could mean some cavern...
Landrieu wishy-washy on suits against oil companies
Landrieu is chair of the U.S. Senate committee that deals with energy policy. The lawsuit puts her between two areas in which she's been a strong advocate: rebuilding Louisiana's coast and supporting...
Nominee selected for flood board seat
Tyrone Ben, a human resources manager for a mental health and counseling service in Chalmette, became the second of two nominees that could fill the seat now held by Tim Doody on the Southeast...
Advocacy groups pile on Briggs
Big Oil's elder statesman of spin has become a favorite punching bag of groups that support litigation against oil and gas companies. Big Oil's elder statesman of spin has become a favorite punching...
Jindal announces deal reached in 'legacy lawsuits'
Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the legislative proposal, surrounded by industry leaders, lawmakers and representatives of some of the largest landowners involved in the lawsuits. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -...
Senate hears pleas for gas exports to Europe
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., the Senate committee's chairman, said U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, would be a "powerful geopolitical tool" to pressure Russian President Vladimir...
Natural gas exports center stage in D.C. this week
With urgency created by the crisis in Ukraine, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle set three hearings on issue of increasing exportation of LNG. Joined by the crisis in Ukraine, U.S. lawmakers from...
Lawyers combat PR blitz with timeline showing Big Oil's role in coastal loss If your opponents in a lawsuit - in this case, all-powerful oil and gas companies - are trying the case in the court of...
Letter to the Editor: Sen. Landrieu knows oil and gas
On behalf of the tens of thousands of men and women who work in the oil and gas industry in Louisiana, let me congratulate Sen. Mary Landrieu in being named Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on...
Landrieu calls Russia's sanctions 'badge of honor'
Louisiana's senior senator joins Republican Sen. John McCain, Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in retaliatory list banning them from traveling to Russia. Photo by Robin...
Gulf lease sale tallies $850 million
The Interior Department said 50 companies bid on 326 blocks in the central gulf, an area where last year's sale brought $1.2 billion in high bids and one in 2012 brought $1.7 billion. NEW ORLEANS (AP)...
Letter to the Editor: LOGA akin to gun control
Why doesn't LOGA demonize landowners and Louisiana citizens, the ones who are suing Big Oil? [Because] no one would sympathize with Big Oil if it wanted to give landowners and citizens "the...
Big Oil's behind-the-scenes role in LSU's 'legacy lawsuit' study
A disturbing trend has taken hold of academia in recent years as Big Oil exerts more and more influence on scholarly research. David Dismukes is the associate director at the Center for Energy Studies...
BP: 24 top bids for $41.6M in Gulf oil lease sale
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas's high bids made up 37 percent of the $850.8 million total at Wednesday's federal oil lease sale for the central Gulf of Mexico. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Freeport-McMoRan Oil...
Green Field asset sale called ‘largest disposition industry has seen'
Equipment includes more than 3,500 new and late model units valued at more than $250 million. Boston-based Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in...
Creditors keep right to sue Moreno in new exit plan
Creditors who fought initial bankruptcy exit plan sign off on new liquidation proposal, which does not protect company founder Mike Moreno from future lawsuits. Dow Jones/The Wall Street Journal's Tom...
Badger Oil's Maley assumes reins for 2015 LAGCOE
Biennial oil and gas trade show, which last year hosted 416 exhibitors and 17,000 attendees from 47 states and 43 countries, is set for Oct. 27-29, 2015. Maley The Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition,...
Lafayette-based Reamco acquired by Houston group
Reamco founders Brent Milam and Ashley Lane now shareholders in acquiring company and part of its management team. Hicks Equity Partners of Houston announced March 10 that its portfolio company,...
Judge: LOGA suit ‘frivolous'
Oh, the irony... or something like that. A Baton Rouge district court judge ruled Monday afternoon that state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell acted properly according to Louisiana law in signing off...
Frank's International earns $351 million in 2013
Oilfield service company's year-over-year revenues climbed 3.7 percent. Frank's International, which went public last year, this week reported net income of $350.8 million revenues of $1.08 billion in...
Contentious deposition renders LOGA chief too ill to testify. Here's why. A contentious Feb. 20 deposition aggravated Don Briggs' heart condition and prevented him from testifying in court this week....
His health affected by a contentious deposition last week, the LOGA chief says he can't testify (court will reconvene March 10). [UPDATE: Despite a report in Tuesday's Advertiser, in which Don Briggs...
Forecasts for more frigid weather drive prices to highest level in four years. For the first time in four years, natural gas prices have climbed above $6. Wednesday's increase represents a 10 percent...
Landrieu to chair Senate energy committee
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu will lead the powerful Senate committee that deals with energy policy and mineral leasing, a key panel for one of Louisiana's top industries. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S....
Newpark's environmental division merges with Offshore Cleaning Systems
Combined entities to operate as Lafayette-based Ecoserv, creating up to 100 new jobs. On Tuesday Denver-based national private equity firm Lariat Partners announced the formation of Ecoserv, the...
Sempra's Cameron LNG export plant crosses another hurdle
Company will invest up to $10 billion in LNG export facility, creating 3,000 construction jobs and 140 full-time positions. The U.S. Energy Department on Tuesday approved exports from Sempra Energy's...
NYT examines Mary Landrieu's influence as Energy chair
Three-term Louisiana senator set to take over U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources this week. The New York Times takes a look at the impact and influence U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu will...
Energy chair in the bag for Landrieu?
Powerful post could help in re-election effort and Keystone approval. Mary Landrieu wants the Keystone Pipeline approved. President Barack Obama wants Mary Landrieu to win a fourth term this fall....
BP seeks rehearing in oil spill settlement dispute
BP on Tuesday asked an appeals court to review a ruling upholding a multibillion-dollar settlement to compensate victims of the company's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - BP on...
Update: Halliburton releases details on New Iberia complex
Oilfield services company finally releases details on its $45 million New Iberia "Integrated Completion Center," which has been under construction since last spring. Despite that...
Judge signs off on Green Field's employee bonus plan
Over watchdog's objections, federal judge approves bankrupt Lafayette company's incentive and retention bonuses.
Green Field creditors committee threatens lawsuit
Bankrupt company's official committee of unsecured creditors is asking a judge to postpone the hearing on a restructuring support agreement it had no involvement in and is seeking authority to...
La. AG offers defense of role in Big Oil lawsuit
The flood board's lawsuit against 97 oil and gas companies was filed last summer. It says the companies' coastal drilling activities contributed to the erosion of wetlands, diminishing a natural...
Freeh asks judge to rescind oil spill award from claimant and attorneys
Freeh's report also accused two private attorneys, Glen Lerner and Jon Andry (who has a Lafayette office in River Ranch), of using the position of a then-lawyer on claims administrator Patrick...
Not so fast govt. watchdog tells Moreno's Green Field
A plan - filed under seal - to reward employees for staying on board, rather than for performance, does not sit well with U.S. trustee. Mike Moreno's Green Field Energy Services, which filed for...
Fuelfix.com: 2013 oil boom biggest ever
The U.S.'s average daily oil production is on track to experience its biggest one-year jump in the nation's history. The U.S.'s average daily oil production is on track to surge by 1 million barrels...
Appeals court: salt caverns are property, not land
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal has upheld a district court ruling out of Opelousas that could have wide-ranging effects on the tax burden of the Louisiana oil and gas industry. The 3rd Circuit Court...
Moreno's Green Field aims to sell
Lafayette businessman Mike Moreno's Green Field Energy Services announced Tuesday a plan to sell the business and assets as part of its bankruptcy reorganization effort. Lafayette businessman Mike...
Hearing: Which court should hear coastal lawsuit?
A legal tug-of-war continues in a state levee board's lawsuit against 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies over the erosion of wetlands. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A legal tug-of-war continues in a state levee...
A former BP drilling engineer was convicted Wednesday of deleting text messages from his cellphone to obstruct a federal investigation of the company's massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of...
Ex-BP engineer convicted on 1 obstruction charge
A former BP drilling engineer was convicted Wednesday of deleting text messages from his cellphone to obstruct a federal investigation of the company's massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of...
BP sues lawyer over oil spill claim filings
The lawsuit filed in New Orleans alleges that more than half the Social Security numbers on Mikal Watts' client list were fake - either dummy numbers or numbers belonging to someone else, living or...
It's Briggs v. Caldwell in wetlands loss battle
On Friday LOGA filed suit against Louisiana AG Buddy Caldwell, claiming he illegally approved a New Orleans flood protection board's contract with lawyers suing 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies for...
Shell nixes plans for $12.5 billion GTL facility in Ascension Parish
"Shell's abrupt decision to cancel its North American GTL project just 10 weeks after concluding a multi-year site-selection process is obviously very disappointing news," LED Secretary...
La. gets its fair share from March 19 Eastern Gulf sale
A majority of the blocks in Proposed Sale 225 are subject to revenue sharing under the Domenici-Landrieu Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which provides that the states of Alabama, Mississippi,...
BP notches another win in bid to block settlement payments
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a judge must reconsider BP PLC's arguments that the settlement shouldn't compensate businesses if their losses can't be...
Levee board lawsuit has strong support
Half of voters surveyed think the coastal damages lawsuit by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East against 97 oil and gas companies should continue.A Southern Media poll taken in...
Moreno's Green Field files Chapter 11
The man with the Midas Touch may have to pull a rabbit out of his hat this time. Two months after a glowing story in The Daily Advertiser, in which Lafayette-based Green Field Energy Services boasted...
New energy coalition unveiled Tuesday in Lafayette
"Our Energy Moment" is being rolled out this afternoon at The Picard Group's offices to help educate the public on the benefits of expanding export markets for LNG. A campaign and coalition...
UL Lafayette students help a Canadian company's local operations improve inventory control. A Canadian company with Lafayette operations hired a dozen UL Lafayette student interns this summer for a...
National transit guru tackles one of the toughest issues for this year's show. LAGCOE has grown by leaps and bounds and with such growth comes a pressing issue - getting from point A to point B. This...
Testimony at BP oil spill trial targets response
An employee of the company that owned the doomed Deepwater Horizon drilling rig testified Tuesday that he was surprised when BP scrapped his team's design to stop the gusher in the Gulf of Mexico. NEW...
Frank's launches major investment in Lafayette
On the heels of the company's successful IPO comes a $24 million operations facility in Lafayette. Less than two months after raising $712 million in its initial public offering of stock, Frank's...
Clock running out on flood authority's days as a panel immune from political meddling
The political independence of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East - under fire from politicians for its lawsuit against oil and gas companies - could come to an abrupt end next...
Shell's proposed GTL plant could create 740 jobs averaging $100k
Company would spend a minimum $12.5 billion on potential natural gas-to-liquids facility in Ascension Parish. A proposed natural gas-to-liquids facility that would be built by Shell in Ascension...
Stone Energy gumbo cookoff Thursday at Cajun Field
Get yourself to Cajun Field from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for delicious gumbo and a superb cause. More than 100 gumbos, all available for a paltry all-you-can-eat price of $5, will be offered Thursday at...
BP renews bid to suspend settlement payments
BP has renewed its request for a federal judge to temporarily suspend settlement payments to Gulf Coast residents and businesses following a scathing report on alleged misconduct within the...
Audit: State could be losing oil royalty money
After years of unprecedented cuts to higher ed comes a report that DNR hasn't done a very good job collecting millions in oil and gas royalties owed to the state. BATON ROUGE (AP) - The Department of...
LAGCOE announces technology winners
Seven revolutionary technologies to be spotlighted at LAGCOE in October. The Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, one of the world's pioneer oil and gas expositions, announced the 2013 Spotlight on...
US rig count drops 9 this week to 1,767
Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. dropped nine this week to 1,767. HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company...
The Gulf of Mexico deepwater rig count is up to 48, quite a turnaround from the 11 deepwater rigs running post-BP disaster. The Lafayette Economic Development Authority did some number crunching on...
Jindal blames ‘radical left' for Keystone delays
Governor tells a gathering of Canadian oilmen "blind leftwing idealogues" are holding up the oil pipeline. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal traveled to the Canadian Rockies Tuesday to blame...
Flood board votes to continue oil and gas lawsuit
A New Orleans-area flood control board refused to back down Thursday from its lawsuit seeking damages from nearly 100 oil and gas companies over coastal erosion allegedly caused by dredging and...
Levee authority: industry needs to fix problem it created
In most cases, industry operations were conducted under permits requiring companies to limit damage and restore the area when operations end. We ask them to abide by these contractual requirements,...
And the coveted gold hard hat goes to….Al Thomas II
Respected local oil and gas industry veteran Al Thomas II will preside over LAGCOE 2013 as LAGCOE Looey, a position of high honor announced, as is tradition, at the event's media luncheon...
Flood official: oil cos ‘trashed the hotel room'
A Louisiana flood control official is likening the oil and gas industry in coastal Louisiana to rock stars who bring a lot of money to the area but, in his words, "trashed the hotel...
The 2013 Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, or LAGCOE, is gearing up to be the biggest of the biennial event since its inception in 1955. The 2013 Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, or LAGCOE, is...
Frank's raises $660 million in IPO
Local service company's IPO priced Friday morning at $26, higher than the expected range. Photo by Robin May Frank's International President and CEO Keith Mosing [Update: After underwriters exercised...
Frank's makes stock market debut Friday
Local oilfield service company expects to raise approximately $600 million in IPO. On Friday Frank's International, the 75-year-old company specializing in tubular fabrication and installation...
47 rescued from Gulf rig; natural gas leaking
Federal authorities say natural gas but not oil is flowing uncontrolled from a well off the Louisiana coast, forcing the evacuation of 47 workers aboard an oil rig. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Federal...
Transforming dry natural gas into CNG is the wave of the future for the automotive industry. Transforming dry natural gas into CNG is the wave of the future for the automotive industry. By Don...
Ex-FBI director investigating alleged misconduct in BP settlement
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier issued an order naming former FBI Director Louis Freeh, who now runs a consulting firm, a "special master" for the investigation. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Former...
BP fights back in settlement dispute
BP is placing a full-page advertisement in three of the nation's largest newspapers as the company mounts an aggressive campaign to challenge what could be billions of dollars in settlement payouts to...
Staff attorney for Juneau resigns amid BP's "fictitious" claims allegation
Court-appointed administrator Patrick Juneau himself launches internal probe into allegations of misconduct involving one of his staff attorneys, Lionel H. Sutton III, who resigned Friday. NEW ORLEANS...
Frank's Casing Crew going public
Local company hopes to raise $500 million in Initial Public Offering with the Mosing family members retaining 85 percent ownership. [Editor's Note: This story has been updated with new information...
LAGCOE exhibit space sold out, 400 companies on wait list
More than 400 companies will exhibit at this year's show, with another 400 hoping to get a slot. Exhibit spaces inside the Cajundome and Convention Center and the outside area surrounding the...
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold buys PXP, McMoRan Exploration
Lafayette native Jim Flores is now vice chairman of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and president and CEO of subsidiary Freeport-McMoRan Oil and Gas. Jim Flores' Plains Exploration & Production...
Industry giant GE aims to improve fracking
PITTSBURGH (AP) - One of America's corporate giants is investing billions of dollars in the new boom of oil and gas drilling, or fracking. General Electric Co. is opening a new laboratory in Oklahoma,...
Marine contractor plans $30M expansion
Danos & Curole announces a new $10 million headquarters in Gray and a $20 million manufacturing and fabrication plant at one of two Louisiana ports under consideration. THIBODAUX, La. (AP) - An...
Interior issues new drilling rule on public land
The Obama administration said Thursday it will require companies that drill for oil and natural gas on federal lands to publicly disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. WASHINGTON...
Plans to export U.S. natural gas stir debate
A domestic natural gas boom already has lowered U.S. energy prices while stoking fears of environmental disaster. Now U.S. producers are poised to ship vast quantities of gas overseas as energy...
Update: PXP creating 600 jobs averaging 100k
The company headed by Lafayette native Jim Flores has already quietly hired 180 people for its Broussard expansion. Thursday morning ABiz broke the story on Plains Exploration & Production...
Jim Flores brings it home with $18M deepwater facility
Plains Exploration & Production is building a deepwater Gulf of Mexico warehouse and storage facility in Broussard. [Editor's Note: This story includes a comment Broussard Mayor Charlie...
Stone Energy earns $41 million in 1st Q.
Independent Lafayette-based operator's net income is $10 million less than it earned in the first quarter of 2012. For the first quarter of 2013, Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY) reported net income of $40.8...
Oil drilling technology leaps, clean energy lags
Technology created an energy revolution over the past decade - just not the one we expected. NEW YORK (AP) - Technology created an energy revolution over the past decade - just not the one we...
Oil spill judge: What is gross negligence?
The judge who will allocate responsibility for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill has told lawyers to give him their views about whether a series of negligent acts can add up to gross negligence. NEW...
BP calls first witness at trial over Gulf spill
BP's first witness at a trial over the deadly Deepwater Horizon disaster says the company safely drilled its Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - BP's first witness at a trial over...
Federal appeals court to hear climate change suit
A federal three-judge panel has agreed to review a lower court's ruling that a group of Mississippi coastal landowners can sue energy and chemical companies on allegations that linked greenhouse gas...
iLandMan gives UL students a taste of the industry
Students of UL Lafayette's Professional Land and Resource Management program get a taste of the software offerings of iLandMan, a lease acquisition and land management software company based in...
Landrieu wants BP suspension lifted
U.S. senator says EPA does not have the authority to regulate the industry and should lift the ban, imposed in November to prevent the oil giant from getting new federal contracts. The Monroe...
It's all about the green, and not the energy kind, according to the Lafayette officials pushing for an electrical future fueled by coal. Before millions of dollars are pumped into bringing Lafayette's...
Appeals court voids Global Data Systems' policy. A pair of former employees of an information technology firm based in Lafayette scored a huge win at the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal recently when the...
Boustany strips 'stand-by' language from bill
In his just-posted column, LOGA President Don Briggs thanks U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany for stripping language from the U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill that would have cost the oil and gas...
Building America's Energy Corridor
Elected officials and oil and gas, business and industry leaders must convince our governor that his leadership is needed - now. By Kam Movassaghi Elected officials and oil and gas, business and...
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 By Don Briggs The Export Factor Sending natural gas to Asian and European nations would boost jobs domestically and stabilize prices - and that's good for...
Biennial event spotlights new and innovative technologies. Louisiana's oil and gas industry is at the heart of our state's economy. Through the exploration and production of both onshore and offshore...
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 While the industry welcomes new safety rules, it needs a streamlined and adequate permitting process to restart drilling operations. By Don Briggs Throughout its long and...
**Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Written by Don Briggs Women like Ginger Adam are leaving their mark on the long-established working man's industry.** Throughout its history the oil and gas industry has...
**Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Written by Don Briggs Riding populist sentiment, the president is using the Horizon disaster to breathe new life into job killing cap and trade - and contradicting himself...
**Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Written by Don Briggs How can lawmakers effectively advocate policies and regulations to reduce risk when we don't even have the facts about what caused the Horizon...
Written by Don Briggs Wednesday, April 28, 2010 The Haynesville Shale's economic impact is widespread - and staggering. Over the past few years, the parishes of northwest Louisiana have experienced an...
If the EPA regulates hydraulic fracturing, development of natural gas around the country could shut down, killing thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.,...
Louisiana's congressional delegation and leading energy execs took a break from Mardi Gras festivities for a frank discussion about the industry's challenges. "Energy-Louisiana Style" was...
The EIA releases its two-year pricing outlook for crude oil, a stable $80-$84 per barrel, and natural gas, which could swing from $3.88-$8.47. When the fog lifts and all of the rhetoric clears, what...
What a Difference a Year Makes
The oil industry thrived in 2008, but last year optimism was traded in for tumbling prices, 50 percent plus reduction in rig activity and an overall malaise about the industry’s future. This past year...
Oilman J. Paul Getty said it best: "If business is your profession, then you should make politics your business." On May 23, 2008, a congressional committee summoned four executives to...
Louisiana can lead the charge in making CNG an everyday fuel. Peak oil. Global warming. Clean coal. Billions of dollars being sent overseas to unstable, unfriendly countries. Oil spills. Greenhouse...
Two technological breakthroughs have changed the way we drill. The average person on the street still sees oil gushing through the top of the derrick when a successful well is drilled, an image much...
Natural gas did the first oil well in 150 years ago, and it’s poised to repeat that feat today. On Aug. 27, a major landmark will have been reached in the oil and gas industry. For all but a few...
As south Louisiana’s rig count slides to its steepest point in decades, north Louisiana is making history. Just 12 months ago, the oil and gas industry was experiencing an old fashion boom. Oil...
The good news is oil should average $67/barrel for the rest of 2009; the really bad news is natural gas prices may fall further. Six months into 2009, the oil and gas industry finds itself reeling...
The Obama administration’s rationale for ending the oil and gas industry’s incentives just doesn’t measure up. Some would call it sensational to say or to suggest that the White House has declared war...
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