LOGA Responds to BOEM’s Reinstatement of Lease Sale 257 Bids

In compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bureau of Energy Management (BOEM) announced today that the 307 highest value bids from Lease Sale 257 held in November of 2021 would be reinstated, totaling $189,888,271. The bids had been invalidated by a federal judge earlier this year.

In response Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

“This has been a long time coming. On behalf of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, I want to thank Attorney General Jeff Landry for his strong, capable leadership that helped make this lease sale possible.

While the oil and gas industry focuses on creating jobs and fostering economic investment in Louisiana, President Biden and the Democrats continue to promote harmful regulations that hurt American families.

The President fought as hard as he could to stop this sale from happening. But through the work of Jeff Landry, justice has prevailed.

This lease sale is an important victory, not only for the 250,000+ oil and gas workers in the state but for every American who is facing high energy costs as a result of our diminished oil and gas supply.

We look forward to working with Attorney General Landry as we continue our opposition to the Biden administration’s failed energy policies that have hindered our true potential as the energy powerhouse of the world.”

LOGA Responds to SCOTUS Ruling on EPA's climate powers

BATON ROUGE, LA (June 30, 2022) - Today, The United States Supreme Court ruled that the Clean Power Plan implemented under President Obama that sought to administratively determine power sector emission levels exceeded executive authority under the Clean Air Act.

In response, LOGA President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a step in the right direction for our great nation. This decision takes governmental overreach from appointed bureaucrats and puts it back into the hands of legislators.

The EPA’s actions and regulations have been in lockstep with the left wing’s green agenda. These types of actions cost Americans at the pump, as they continue to tighten the noose on producers and refiners, making it harder to drill for oil and gas, and more expensive to refine it. We applaud this Supreme Court decision and look forward to more balanced decisions toward our industry in the future.”

LOGA Responds to Biden Administration's Refusal to Include Lease Sales in Five-Year Plan

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 23, 2022) - The Biden Administration has announced that they will propose a new five-year offshore drilling plan before the expiration of the current plan on June 30th. However, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was specific to indicate that the plan will not include new lease sales.

In response, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

“Seeing as how this is the first time that the Biden Administration has even hinted that they would consider a new five-year plan, this should be considered positive news. However, Secretary Haaland refused to commit to include new lease sales in this plan that they intend to release by the end of June.

What good is a new five-year plan if there will be no new lease sales?

The whole purpose of the five-year plan is to plan out new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico over the coming five years.

This is nothing more than showboating by the Biden Administration, and it is borderline insulting for Haaland to insinuate that they’ll present a plan that doesn’t include new lease sales.

So no, I don’t see this as a 'step in the right direction.' If anything, it’s a step backwards. This administration continues to slap the oil and gas industry directly in the face with their attitude towards new drilling. 

We need a five-year plan that includes the sale of new leases. Until we have that, LOGA will continue to fight for our members to be able to purchase new leases in the Gulf of Mexico.”

LOGA Responds to Biden Administration's Cancellation of GOM Lease Sales

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 12, 2022) - The Biden Administration has announced the cancellation of the last remaining lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico from the most recent Five-Year offshore drilling plan.

In response, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla released the following statement:

“The cancelling of the last remaining lease sales from the most recent renewal of the Five-Year Plan is not really news, since the Biden Administration has already said that we will not move forward with any new lease sales, but I’m glad this has made the news cycle. The cancelling of the sale of leases 259 and 261 in the Gulf of Mexico puts a beautiful exclamation point on the absolute devastation that this administration has caused to our industry, and to our nation.

We are suffering from a war overseas. Prices at the pump are at an all-time high. The only way to bring those prices down is to increase domestic energy production. It is nothing short of hypocritical that the Biden administration bans Russian energy imports, while at the same time doing everything it can to stop any and all future production in the Gulf of Mexico.

We desperately need a renewal of the Five-Year offshore leasing plan. Sadly, as long as Joe Biden is in office, his pattern of behavior indicates devastating effects on Gulf of Mexico production for years to come."

WATCH: LOGA President Mike Moncla on KLFY Discussing the Biden Administration’s Halting of New Oil & Gas Leases

WATCH: LOGA President Mike Moncla on @KLFY in Lafayette discussing the Biden Administration’s halting of new oil & gas leases pic.twitter.com/cyFSlVXd2L

— Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (@LaOilGasAssoc) February 24, 2022

LOGA Responds to Federal Judge Cancelling 1.7 Million Acres of Drilling Leases

BATON ROUGE, LA (January 28, 2022) - Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras invalidated the largest offshore oil and gas lease sale in the nation’s history, cancelling 1.7 million acres of drilling leases.

One of President Biden’s first actions in office was to ban new oil and gas drilling on lands and waters owned by the federal government. But after a Louisiana judge struck down the moratorium last summer, administration officials said they were forced to go through with the sale in November.

In response to yesterday’s ruling, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla released the following statement:

“Judge Contreras’ decision to ‘throw out’ the last lease sale is disappointing for industry, but even a bigger blow to the American consumer.

This administration continues to make decisions that increase energy costs on Americans.

In just one year in office, President Biden’s energy policies (or lack thereof) have more than doubled oil, natural gas and gasoline prices.

LOGA will continue to fight for actual policy that puts Americans to work while also providing affordable, reliable, and abundant energy to our nation.”

LOGA Announces New Communications Director

Photo source: LOGA

BATON ROUGE, LA (Jan 3, 2022) — Today, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association announced the hire of Tanner Watson to fill the role of Communications Director.

Tanner will be handling all communications and media relations, including LOGA’s daily news, weekly wrap, drilling reports, industry reports as well as all social media duties.

A native of Mandeville, Louisiana, Tanner cut his teeth in the oil and gas industry working as a roustabout on an offshore drilling platform at the age of 18. He went on to graduate with a degree in Communications from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2014. Before LOGA, Tanner worked in the office of U.S. Senator John Kennedy and also brings extensive campaign experience from a U.S. Senate race in Mississippi. Prior to that, he was a radio personality doing morning drive time from 6-10 in Laurel, Mississippi.

Tanner and his wife, Olivia live in Baton Rouge. He can be reached at (985) 630-5834 or at tanner@loga.la.

LOGA Interim President's Column

By: Mike Moncla
LOGA Interim President’s Column

The last two weeks have put on display the things we take for granted.

The permitting moratorium, the revocation of the Keystone Pipeline, then the outright leasing ban show that the Biden Administration does not fully grasp the critical, complex role oil and natural gas play in every moment of our day to day lives.

Let’s start with the most obvious facet of life these bans jeopardize: energy security. Our attitude in America has been that energy for our homes, cars, and businesses is a right and a given. All we have to do is pull up to the pump or turn on the light switch. But the ban means a nearly 50% drop in offshore Gulf of Mexico oil production, and a 68% drop in Gulf production of natural gas.

When America makes less of that product, but still has the same demand for that product, where will we have to go for it? We will have to import oil and natural gas from other nations. That’s why the ban was quickly dubbed an “import more oil policy.” Just under a year ago, another major player in the global energy market decided to turn on the spigot and over supply the market. If Saudi Arabia, or Russia, or Iran set their sights on tanking the American family, they can. All they have to do is decide not to sell to America - or sell at a premium and wring out the ole’ USA pocketbook, just so we can fill our cars up. This is the complicated topic of energy security - and a ban makes us less secure on the global stage.

And let’s not forget that these executive actions have been taken under the guise of protecting the environment. So I’ll remind our President that America has the most stringent environmental standards in the world, and in our state, revenues generated offshore go directly to Louisiana’s coast through the GOMESA (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act) program. In 2020, funds from offshore royalties came into Louisiana’s coffers to the tune of $155,718,470.00. Those coastal restoration dollars are now completely at risk. Let’s not forget either that the single most generous industry to coastal resilience and restoration is the oil and gas industry.

Finally, the complex, robust economy from oil and natural gas provides hundreds of thousands of jobs, support for critical community and public services, and the affordable, reliable products we rely on every moment in our day to day lives. By 2022, a ban could translate into then loss of nearly 48,000 jobs - in Louisiana alone! It’s clear to see that the loss of our industry means harm to our state’s families.

At the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, I see that real impact every day just talking to my members. One pipe fabrication business recently told me “no new projects, no need for piping products.” Others have cited being immediately forced to do layoffs, and others simply have no demand for their services. We are watching the guillotine being readied for our already greatly battered economy.

I’m asking the Governor to stand up for our state, just as the governor in our Lone Star neighbor just did. Find every way to support our vital industry and stop these executive actions from harming our great state of Louisiana.

Mike Moncla
Louisiana Oil & Gas Association

LOGA: Support of Constitutional Amendment 2

Constitutional Amendment 2 would bring fairness, predictability to oil and gas well assessment process

BATON ROUGE, LA (October 5, 2020) — A ‘yes' on Constitutional Amendment 2 would bring fairness and accuracy to the assessment process for Louisiana’s oil and gas wells, assessor and industry representatives agree. 

Although there are three ways to assess property, (those methods are the ‘cost,’ ‘market’ and ‘income’ methods) the state constitution only includes the use of two for oil and gas wells in Louisiana. CA-2 would include the income approach as the third methodology to value oil and gas wells for property assessment. The income approach values wells based on their ability to produce revenue.

Constitutional Amendment 2:

• CA-2 received bipartisan, unanimous support in the legislature as HB 360.

• CA-2 would result in more accurate assessments of oil and gas wells, while also allowing better predictability of tax revenue.

• CA-2 is supported by assessors and the oil and natural gas industry.

• CA-2 would make the income approach available to the Louisiana Tax Commission. It does not mandate its use.

• CA-2 would only affect the valuation of oil and gas wells, and will not change the assessment of other types of property.

• An amendment is necessary because of the restrictive language in the state constitution prohibiting the use of all three valuation methods for the assessment of oil and gas wells.

“Amendment No. 2 is the result of a joint effort of the Assessors and the oil and gas industry,  and it is supported by both,” said Belinda Hazel, Plaquemines Parish Assessor and Louisiana Assessors Association Chair of the Oil and Gas Committee. “The passage of Amendment No. 2 is necessary to achieve our unified goal, which is the fair and accurate assessment of oil and gas wells.”

 “This income approach is the same method used when wells are valued for sale on the open market,” said Daron Fredrickson, LOGA Tax Committee Chairman. “It’s common sense that this valuation method should be available for property assessment purposes as well.”

“The oil and natural gas industry is the backbone of Louisiana’s economy providing jobs and economic benefits throughout our state,” said Tyler Gray, Chair of the Louisiana Taxpayer Protection PAC.  “Fair and competitive tax policies at the state level are critical to the economic health of our state.”

“This amendment brings a fairness to the assessment process for the oil and gas industry, 90% of which consists of small businesses,” said Mike Moncla, Interim President for the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “When independent operators can reliably predict their costs, they can allocate more to supporting and expanding their workforce. Fairness and predicability lead to more investment.”

“When this amendment was a bill, HB 360 breezed through the House committee, it breezed through the House floor, it breezed through the Senate committee, and it breezed through the Senate floor," Representative Mike Huval said. "It was just a matter of educating all my colleagues in the legislature that all parties affected, both in industry and at the assessors association, agreed that this was a fairer way going forward to assess the value of a producing oil and gas well."

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry.

About the Louisiana Assessors Association

The Louisiana Assessors' Association is composed of sixty-four assessors, one from each parish.  The office of assessor is an elected position as provided by the constitution of Louisiana.  Each parish assessor is elected at the gubernatorial election for a four-year term of office.  

Each assessor is mandated by Article VII, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana to determine the fair market value of all property subject to taxation within his respective parish or district except those public service properties which are valued by the Louisiana Tax Commission.  The correctness of assessments by the assessor is subject to review by each parish governing authority, then by the Louisiana Tax Commission, and finally by the respective courts.

About the Louisiana Taxpayer Protection PAC 

The Louisiana Taxpayer Protection PAC supports fair, common sense tax policies that keep Louisiana’s economy competitive and protects thousands of good paying jobs.

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LOGA: State’s Oil Producers Shuttering at Alarming Rate

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 4, 2020) — The economic consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the oil glut generated by the Saudis and Russians, and the lack of storage are being felt at a much quicker pace than previously projected, gravely threatening Louisiana’s energy sector.

The second in a series of “point-in-time” surveys shows that nearly a quarter of the state’s oil related workforce has potentially already been laid off, and four in every five Exploration and Production (E&P) companies has already begun shutting in wells.

“Our members have indicated they’ve already been forced to lay off 23% of their workforce and the large majority are now taking steps to shut-in production,” Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs said. “We feared these outcomes would take place by mid-to-late May, but the crushing weight of the crisis is taking hold much quicker than expected. Without a doubt, we need federal and state policymakers to take immediate action to help mitigate further losses from these extreme market conditions.”

Louisiana’s severance tax rate is the highest in the country at 12.5%, nearly four times the neighboring Texas 4.6% rate. “We’re worried about taxes and other costs that are not going down that we still have to pay as prices have cratered,” the head of one Louisiana energy company shared.

Oil prices closed most recently on the West Texas Intermediate at $18.84, a menacingly low amount. Louisiana’s independent producers require an average of $37.00 a barrel to break even. 

Further, more than half of company leaders indicated that bankruptcy or closures are likely. “We have been forced to cut salaries between 6% and 20% for our employees,” one member shared. “I as the owner have cut my salary to zero.”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Department of Natural Resources, the oil and gas industry employs approximately 33,900 workers operating around 33,650 oil and gas wells around the state. 

Those tens of thousands of jobs bring Louisiana families $3.2 billion in wages. According to the survey results, 23% have already reportedly had to be laid off. 

State tax revenue will also suffer drastically from the sharp decline in oil prices and staggering job losses across the state.

This survey from LOGA’s members, which comprises 450 exploration and production and service companies across Louisiana, is below.

LOGA Survey Results

• Members have been forced to reduce 23% of their Louisiana workforce already

• 77.5% of operators have already begun taking steps to shut-in production

• 97% are moderately or extremely concerned about the future of the industry

• 51.35% said bankruptcy likely

• 34% applied for EIDL funds, of those only 25% received the funds they expected

• Of those who received funds, 46.67 indicted they were not enough to help them stay in business

• Of those who received funds, 72% indicated they were not enough to avoid layoffs

“We’re one of the largest employers in Louisiana with the highest average wages. Just imagine what shut-ins and company closures mean for individuals and communities. These are real dollars and their lack is going to be felt all across the state,” Briggs added.

“Of the things we can control, we must take bold action to enact immediate changes,” Briggs said. “We are looking forward to working with the legislature and the administration to figure out how to keep wells flowing and keep people employed as long as possible.”

Emergency Measures to Help the Louisiana Oil & Gas Industry Survive

• Reduce state severance taxes for a period of one year while protecting resources for local governments via passing HB 506

• Support the passage of SB 359 and take appropriate steps to address the government-led coastal lawsuits

• Identify any opportunities at the federal and state level to expedite additional storage capacity

One member summed up the widespread feeling of dejection in the oil patch. “If we are truly an essential industry, we sure don't feel like it right now.”

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

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LOGA: ‘Crude oil trading at lowest price in history’

BATON ROUGE, LA (April 20, 2020) —

On Monday, West Texas Intermediate futures (WTI) traded below $11 a barrel for the first time since 1986, reaching as low as $10.63 early Monday morning, indicating a drop in price of over 80% since the beginning of the year.  WTI has not traded in single digits since December of 1973. However, when adjusted for inflation, this is the lowest price that oil has traded in U.S. history. (https://www.macrotrends.net/1369/crude-oil-price-history-chart)

“The crisis facing the industry is impossible to overstate,” Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs said. “The global demand destruction of oil, caused by the worldwide shutdown of the economy, has sent prices to the lowest in history when adjusted for inflation. There is no magic pill that will save the thousands of jobs that will be lost, but we can immediately take steps to limit the losses.”  

“President Donald Trump has outlined a clear plan to get the economy moving again.  It is time that Louisiana, Texas and other states work with President Trump to implement his plan as soon as possible, and lean on countries around the world to do the same.  Until demand rebounds,  if industry is going to survive we will need severance tax relief, royalty relief, and an end to the government sponsored coastal lawsuits. State leaders must take comprehensive action immediately or we will lose an entire industry, and the jobs, wages, families and communities that are sustained by it.”

“Many of our members are being told they cannot deliver crude in May due to storage constraints, and as a result have begun planning to shut in 100% of their Louisiana production,” Briggs added. “It’s an absolute worst case scenario, a perfect storm.”

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

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LOGA: Schumer fails Louisiana’s independent oil and gas businesses, communities

Photo source: LOGA Twitter

BATON ROUGE, LA — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer crowed victory against ‘Big Oil’ this morning after blocking funds that would have helped workers in Louisiana’s independent oil and gas industry and service sector. Including the funding for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in the coronavirus stimulus package would have created an additional $3 billion market for Louisiana producers to sell oil into. A previous draft of the bill contained $3 billion to refill the SPR. Current refinery demand is down and storage is shrinking, meaning the SPR purchases would have taken oil off the Gulf Coast system.

“Senator Schumer used these awful times to score a political victory by claiming to defeat a ‘$3 billion bailout for big oil,’” LOGA President Gifford Briggs said. “In reality, the independent producers and the thousands of small service companies that support their drilling operations are the workers and families Sen. Schumer truly defeated.

Louisiana oil producers are facing low prices, low demand and filling storages. Having the ability to store another 77 million barrels in the SPR was the lifeline that many needed to carry them forward over the next few months. The impact of this decision will be negatively felt in homes and communities across Louisiana.”

LOGA recently surveyed its membership and the revelations are dire. Should nothing change in the price markets, over the next 120 days 65% of Louisiana’s oil and gas workers could be laid off as independent businesses are forced to adjust to low energy prices.

President Trump based his directive to refill the SPR on the sound public policy of energy security at a bargain for taxpayers. “Based on the prices of oil, I’ve ... instructed the secretary of energy to purchase, at a very good price, large quantities of crude oil for storage in the U.S. Strategic Reserve. We’re going to fill it right up to the top.”

“The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association is grateful for Louisiana’s federal delegation for all the work they are doing to address the extraordinary headwinds the industry is facing,” said Briggs. “We remain hopeful that our delegation will be able to work with the President to purchase the oil necessary to ‘fill it right up to the top,’ and provide Louisiana’s independent oil and gas businesses and communities the support they so desperately need right now.”

About The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. LOGA services its membership by warding off tax increases, changing existing burdensome regulations, and educating the public and government of the importance of the oil and gas industry in the state of Louisiana. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

LOGA: Oil trades below $21 for first time in nearly two decades

BATON ROUGE, LA (March 19, 2020) —  For the first time in nearly two decades, oil is trading below $21 per barrel. While the country is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, the oil and gas industry is facing the additional challenge of plummeting energy prices. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded as low as $20.80/BBL yesterday.

“The oil and gas industry is facing a perfect storm,” said Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “While the COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed the country and rapidly reduced the demand for energy, Russia and OPEC are ramping up production. This combination of unprecedented events has led many experts to predict that oil prices will remain below $35/BBL for the foreseeable future. These are serious times.”

“Our hearts and prayers are with all of the communities and businesses who are struggling to survive in the midst of this public health and economic crisis. The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association is working with local, state and federal leaders to do everything possible to support and protect the families and hardworking men and women in the oil and gas industry.” 

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BRIGGS: How to Usher in Louisiana’s Roaring 2020s

Gifford Briggs,
President, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association
February 24, 2020

The Roaring 20’s were a time of unprecedented economic prosperity in America. A century has since passed. Can Louisiana and its oil and gas industry experience roaring economic prosperity once more?

Let’s take a look. One hundred years later, our nation’s economy is booming. Unemployment is at record lows, the stock market is at record highs, and it seems that everywhere you look, President Trump’s business acumen has acted like a shot of adrenaline for America.

Energy producers are no exception. Reforms of rules and regulations that had previously hindered industry growth have expanded offshore drilling, streamlined the pipeline permitting process, and made the United States an oil and gas powerhouse once again.

Is that federal leadership enough to usher in a roaring 20’s decade for our state? 

Considering our natural blessings, we are well-positioned for prosperity. Louisiana’s trifecta of oil and gas assets are a case in point. First is Louisiana’s natural gas giant: The Haynesville Shale. Recently Louisiana’s northwest formation had the second-highest new-well gas production per rig in the nation. Our abundant resources don’t stop there - we are also home to assets in the Gulf of Mexico and vast resources ready to be tapped in South Louisiana.  

Secondly, the Bayou State has a strong and expansive pipeline infrastructure. Pipelines are the safest, most secure way to transport product across vast distances. New York is now facing pricing, employment, and development woes simply because they do not have the pipeline capacity or willingness to move resources.

Finally, our LNG export capacity is a strength unique to our state: instead of simply refining natural gas, we now liquefy and export it all over the globe. LSU’s Center for Energy Studies estimates that Louisiana’s LNG projects could total nearly $100 billion in capital investment, potentially ushering in 20,000 construction jobs and 1,500 full-time jobs at Louisiana terminals once completed. 

These three key assets have positioned Louisiana to play a defining role in the United States’ move toward permanent energy independence in the global market, but considering our current realities more must be done on a state level by Louisiana leadership to enable our oil and gas industry to succeed.

South Louisiana energy activity continues to lag behind energy-producing regions all over the country. Our toxic legal environment and tax structure have crippled investment, taking Louisiana families away from the state in droves. It is time we bring them back.

But how? 

We can learn from other oil and gas producing states. Our Lone Star neighbor has undertaken strategic, long term measures to fix its’ legal and regulatory framework, and they now boast a simpler tax environment. As a result, they have experienced steady investment both inside and outside of the oil and gas industry, and families all over the nation are becoming newly adopted Texans.

Perhaps we are learning from our prospering neighbors and will experience that decade of strong Louisiana growth. In the gall of 2019, Louisiana voters sent a strong message to the capitol that we want bold action for a better Louisiana. It’s time for change.

This newly elected body of legislators has the momentum and vision necessary to tackle substantive reforms. They have the potential to put an end to the rampant lawsuit abuse that has put a moratorium on oil and gas investment and turned Louisiana communities into ghost towns. They have the potential to transform our tax structure, making it fairer, more competitive, and attractive to outside businesses. They have the potential to get Louisiana’s oil and gas industry roaring again.

LOGA sees great opportunities arising and is optimistic about what is possible in the coming year. From the 4th floor to the House and Senate floors, we are looking forward to working with everyone to create the nation’s leading oil and gas industry and ushering in Louisiana’s very own roaring 2020s.