Natural Gas Boom Fuels Louisiana's Economic Surge

Galliano, La. (WVUE) — James Siglar has dedicated almost three decades to laboring in the oil fields, experiencing the fluctuations and challenges within the sector.

Raised and born in Grand Isle," Siglar stated. "So, I've experienced it throughout my whole life.

For Siglar and his colleagues at Grand Isle Shipyard in Galliano, better days have come back around.

The fabrication yards for the offshore oil and gas sector are teeming with action.

Despite an increase in oil production during President Joe Biden’s tenure, his predecessor was frequently perceived as being antagonistic towards the industry, particularly regarding drilling activities on federal territories or coastal waters.

"You know, I and my family, who rely on the oil industry, feel that things are progressing in the right direction now," Siglar stated.

The sector is likewise simpler to pitch to potential hires.

"The message is straightforward: Oil and gas won't be phased out anytime soon," stated Josh Falgout, who serves as a senior recruiter for GIS.

Most of the increase in production has occurred inland.

Ranging from Texas to North Dakota, hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — made accessible resources that were previously unreachable.

According to the US Energy Information Agency, last year, approximately 41 percent of America’s electrical requirements were met by natural gas.

It marks a resurgence in the oil and gas sector. The phrase 'drill, baby drill' is really taking effect," remarked Mark Pregeant, who leads GIS as a fourth-generation CEO. "We're beginning to witness this increase within our industry.

It felt like overnight, natural gas transformed into one of the nation's largest exports. Particularly, liquefied natural gas (LNG) was cooled down to -260 degrees Fahrenheit, compressed into a liquid state, then loaded onto massive tankers for international transport.

exporters are pouring staggering amounts into liquefied natural gas facilities, such as Venture Global’s proposed $18 billion upgrade to its facility in Plaquemines Parish.

Natural gas was mostly considered a transitional fuel, serving as a bridge from coal to a future dominated by renewable and more environmentally friendly energy sources.

Not everybody is enthusiastic about the surge in natural gas production, particularly when it comes to liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Retired petroleum engineer John Allaire feels somewhat besieged these days.

Back in 1998, he acquired a small slice of heaven along the Gulf Coast just south of Lake Charles. Several years back, new occupants arrived—a massive Venture Global LNG export plant located at the entrance of the Calcasieu Ship Channel.

“Allaire stated that this is a significant effort aimed at extracting it from the ground as quickly as possible.”

An additional LNG facility is slated for development between Venture Global and Allaire’s property boundary.

"Their flare stacks will be 750 feet away from my property line," he stated.

Allaire is likewise worried about how this might impact consumer natural gas prices in the long run.

I find it unbelievable that we're exporting such a precious resource," Allaire commented. "After all, we only have X number of years remaining of our natural gas.

He is equally concerned about how it might impact the natural water flow around his beachfront home.

"When it comes to installing these systems and removing thousands of acres of wetlands, they simply allow them to proceed without restrictions," Allaire stated.

Although three liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals are already located nearby, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade reports that 11 additional facilities have been suggested for development in Southwestern Louisiana.

“Jobs certainly matter,” stated Lori Cooke, who works as the program coordinator for the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. “However, we shouldn’t disregard what holds greater importance — the culture and way of life here.”

The Bucket Brigade asserts that the state is not effectively overseeing air quality around the facilities, which includes monitoring levels of contaminants like benzene, formaldehyde, and various pollutants.

We genuinely have no idea what lies beyond," Cooke stated. "All we know are their claims about what exists out there, and even those assertions suggest that whatever emissions might be present pose significant dangers.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality issued a statement defending their air quality surveillance efforts. They mentioned that this initiative involves three air monitors located near Vinton, Lighthouse, and Carlyss with the aim of detecting methane emissions, volatile organic compounds, as well as measuring ozone levels.

"The agency leverages this crucial information to ensure that both residents and stakeholders remain updated with the latest data concerning major air contaminants that significantly impact public health and environmental quality around the facility," according to the DEQ statement.

Cooke raised doubts about the effectiveness of the monitors, considering the nearest one was approximately 30 miles away when measured in a straight line.

At GIS, they have adopted every available strategy for energy production.

"Frankly, being in the energy sector, it truly doesn't make a difference where you are," Pregeant stated.

GIS has expanded into various sectors such as coastal engineering and surveying, and has been involved in the design of numerous floodgates in both Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

Currently, only 60 percent of its operations are tied to oil and gas.

You will require energy regardless of the source, be it solar, wind, oil, or gas," he stated. "Our aim is to enhance our business resilience through this approach.

Pregeant, however, thinks that shifting to alternative types of energy will require more time than what some proponents propose, extending beyond merely a few years.

It's simply unrealistic to claim that you'll shift away from conventional oil and gas," Pregeant stated. "The necessary technology isn't available yet.

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