LLAW: Recent Developments in Terrebonne Parish Should Be Alarming

Recent developments in Terrebonne Parish should be alarming to all Louisiana citizens – especially those along the bayou whose local rights are being overstepped by overzealous trial attorneys and state government overreach. A dangerous precedent is being set with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ recent appointment of the parish district attorney to conduct damage assessments alleged from oil and gas development in the parish. This is clearly an effort to bypass local elected leadership in outsourcing enforcement responsibility of state and local permits to private lawyers – the same lawyers who stand to benefit financially from their findings. Motivated by self-interest, these hired guns have no regard for the potential impact of lawsuits on thousands of area residents who depend on industry for their livelihoods.

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch opposes coastal lawsuits because they attempt to stretch the law beyond its intent while ignoring critical facts and involving private lawyers in a space meant for democratically elected decision makers. Targeting the deep pockets of the energy industry does not guarantee that any resulting monetary awards will actually be used for restoration activities.

In this instance, LDNR is putting the cart before the horse by charging the district attorney to develop these models before the department has even identified permit violations – much less investigated any alleged abuses. With such complex issues, a mere comparison of aerial photographs as the basis to determine damages will not provide a complete or accurate picture. Instead of signing on to pursue lawsuits, Terrebonne has already begun to review coastal use permits in the parish.

Parish President Gordon Dove and Lafourche Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle have made it abundantly clear they are not interested in pursuing litigation that singles out an industry that is a major job and revenue creator.

There is a proper role for good regulations that protect the public and for lawsuits that enforce them. But our system of checks and balances breaks down when lawsuits are substituted for policy. It is past time to work together toward constructive solutions - and leave the trial lawyers out of it.                                     

Lana Venable, Executive Director
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch

The Economy in Acadiana is Looking Strong in 2019

Photo source: Wikipedia

Looking strong in all industries but one, our illustrious governor’s favorite red-headed stepchild, the oil and gas industry. The same industry that he and his ambulance chasing trial lawyer buddies love to sue.   

While things are looking up in some sectors, Bill Fenstermaker, chairman and CEO of Fenstermaker & Associates, said oil and gas revenues have dropped about $750,000,000 a year for the past three years. He suggested the current administration's policies could be causing Texas oil companies to avoid drilling in Louisiana, especially in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Those of us that depend on the oil and gas industry to feed our families are tired of seeing this industry get kicked around by the Democrat Party and, most particular, John Bel Edwards, the Cajun Obama himself. This industry has given countless thousands of families in this state a good source of income for decades and for this governor to use his influence in order to shakedown this industry is disgraceful.

Read more: Economic Summit: Acadiana business leaders cautiously optimistic for growth in 2019

We Could Have Nice Things Like This.......

Photo source: CNBC

.........but because of the self-righteous in the State of Louisiana who couldn’t vote for Sen. David Vitter and elected a liberal trial lawyer in John Bel Edwards, who’s intent on destroying the oil and gas industry, we have Louisianans going to Texas to work in their bustling industry. 

The latest example of the boom in Texas oil and gas is this: 

• "As the national leader in oil and natural gas production, Texas is paving the way for America's energy independence," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in statement in response to the report. "From technological advancements resulting in increased oil and natural gas output to our LNG export facilities, the Lone Star State's energy economy is firing on all cylinders. As Governor, I will continue to work with our independent oil and gas producers to take our economy to even greater heights."

See what was in that piece? A governor willing to work with producers in his state rather than sue them.  

But, by all means, tell me again how “Honor Code” is helping the State of Louisiana.  

As I’ve said before, don’t blame me. I voted for Vitter. 

Read more:  Report: Texas crude oil production breaks 1970s record

If Only We Had a Governor Who Wasn't Intent on Killing the Oil and Gas Industry

Photo source: Rigzone

As reported numerous times, the “Honor Code” of a governor that we have in the State of Louisiana is intent on destroying the strongest industry we have here in this state, oil and gas. This former trial lawyer has time and time again, with the help of his crony buddies, sued deep pocketed companies:

We shouldn’t be surprised Edwards would go after deep-pocketed companies as governor when that’s what he did for a living before he became a politician. And after all, he is a Democrat, the party known for rewarding trial lawyers who generously give campaign contributions. The trouble with trial lawyers is that for the most part, they suck the life out of the economy. But if your focus isn’t the strength of the economy, but instead growing state coffers with large chunks of cash from lawsuits, Edward’s bent toward litigation is the perfect strategy.

LOGA came out last year as well stating we cannot take another Edwards term in Baton Rouge:

"He sent letters to all the coastal parishes, saying, 'Sue the oil industries, sue them all, and if you don't sue them,' he told them, 'I will.'"

Now we have the latest coming from our neighbors to the west:

To put Texas oil production in perspective, if it were a country, it would be the world's third oil producer sometime this year, behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia, HSBC said in a report. The main engine of Texas oil output is the Permian basin that spans West Texas and southeastern New Mexico and is one of the most prolific oil and gas producing regions in the U.S. The Permian Basin is approximately 250 miles wide and 300 miles long, across West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. It encompasses several sub-basins, including the Delaware Basin and the Midland Basin.

If you’re dependent on the oil and gas industry to support your families and you continue to defend this governor, you need your head examined.

Looks like the best place for a Louisiana citizen to continue to make a living in this industry is in Texas.

LOGA: Lawyers in Louisiana are Robbing Louisiana Taxpayers

Photo source: Louisiana Record

Gifford Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA), recently discussed the litigation crisis in Louisiana and what needs to be done to remedy the problem.

"The data is clear. Excessive and unnecessary litigation is robbing Louisiana taxpayers blind and diminishing economic growth throughout the state," Briggs told the Louisiana Record. "Nowhere are the effects more evident than in south Louisiana."

Read more:  Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says legal climate in state is 'robbing taxpayers'

Another Huge Development for the Oil and Gas Industry in Louisiana

Photo source: The Oil and Gas Year

Despite the various attempts by our own Governor “Honor Code” to cripple the oil and gas industry here in Louisiana, BP has made the following announcement concerning their Atlantis Field off the coast:

 The company made the announcement Tuesday morning regarding its $1.3 billion development in the Atlantis Field, which is about 130 miles south of the Louisiana coast. The approval comes after recent BP made breakthroughs in advanced seismic imaging and reservoir characterization that revealed an additional 400 million barrels of oil in place at the Atlantis field.

Read more:  BP announces $1.3 billion development in offshore drilling off Louisiana coast

11,000 Fewer Oil and Gas Jobs in Acadiana 2008 vs. 2018

Photo source: Shale Mag

Despite recent talk of a slight uptick in the oil and gas business in Acadiana, in the past decade nearly 11,000 jobs were lost in oil and gas in the five-parish Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Read more:  11,000 fewer oil and gas jobs in Acadiana 2008 vs. 2018

US Gulf of Mexico On Track for Historic 2019

Photo source: Wikipedia  

“We expect 2019 to be a strong year for the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to exciting new project sanctions, which could usher in more than $10 billion of investment into the region, a couple of historic firsts set to occur next year could set the stage for years to come,” said WoodMac senior research analyst William Turner

Read more: US Gulf of Mexico On Track for Historic 2019

COASTAL LAWSUITS MOVING STATE IN WRONG DIRECTION, LOUISIANA LAWSUIT ABUSE WATCH SAYS

Photo source: Cajun Conservatism

 “These kind of lawsuits will only continue to move Louisiana in the wrong direction and further weaken the state’s struggling economy, which has lost thousands of jobs and major manufacturing projects in recent years,” Venable said.

Read more:  COASTAL LAWSUITS MOVING STATE IN WRONG DIRECTION, LOUISIANA LAWSUIT ABUSE WATCH SAYS

More Good News for the Oil and Gas Industry in Louisiana

Photo source: Wikipedia

In this piece from the Advocate, Louisiana has signed a deal with the country of Poland for deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The state company PGNiG signed the 24-year deal with American supplier Cheniere during a ceremony in Warsaw attended by U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Read more: Poland signs deal for long-term natural gas deliveries from Louisiana, Texas

MOST PLAQUEMINES PARISH VOTERS OPPOSE PARISH’S OIL AND GAS LAWSUIT; 99% SAY INDUSTRY IS CRITICAL TO ECONOMY

Photo source: GrowLACoalition Twitter

Plaquemines Parish residents are speaking loud and clear: they stand with the oil and gas industry and want to see it continue to play a vital role in their community and their future. The oil and gas industry provides more than 1,500 jobs in Plaquemines Parish with a $264 million payroll, paying $20 million annually in parish property taxes.

Read more: MOST PLAQUEMINES PARISH VOTERS OPPOSE PARISH’S OIL AND GAS LAWSUIT; 99% SAY INDUSTRY IS CRITICAL TO ECONOMY

Administration Easing Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling Rules

Photo source: Rigzone

A 48-page notice from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement published Friday in the Federal Register says the agency “has become aware that certain provisions in that rulemaking created potentially unduly burdensome requirements for oil and natural gas production operators … without meaningfully increasing safety of the workers or protection of the environment.”

An offshore drilling industry group said it’s a positive step.

Read more:  Administration easing offshore oil and gas drilling rules

Is 2020 the Year the Oilfield Turns Around?

One Acadiana hosted "An Expert's Perspective," an event focused on the economic growth of Acadiana. 

Dr. Loren Scott was the keynote speaker of the event. He spent the last three decades focused on economic matters. Dr. Scott is the President of Loren c. Scott & Associates, Inc, a 34-year old economic consulting firm whose clients include such large national firms as BP, Entergy, ExxonMobil, Nucor, Sasol, Chespeake Energy, and a diversity of others.

Read more: Economic consultant predicts 2020 the comeback year for oil and gas industry in Acadiana

Graves Advances Bill to Increase Louisiana’s Energy Revenues, Funding for Coastal Restoration

Photo source: Twitter

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Garret Graves (R – South Louisiana) advanced legislation out of the House Committee on Natural Resources today that would increase the share of offshore energy revenues for Gulf Coast states.  Graves’ bill would provide a substantial increase in funding for Louisiana’s coastal restoration and flood protection projects. 

“After working on this for 20 years I can tell you:  what happened today is historic,” said Graves. “Moving this bill is a big deal and has enormous implications for South Louisiana.”  

Graves’ H.R. 6771 amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act 2006 (GOMESA) to bring Gulf offshore energy revenue sharing in line with levels that onshore energy producing states enjoy – an effort long pursued by Louisiana’s congressional delegation. The bill was considered today in conjunction with the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act, which proposed using Gulf offshore energy revenues to address the maintenance backlog of the National Park Service and other agencies across the country.

“Louisiana is battling the largest historical, ongoing and prospective loss of coastal wetlands we’ve ever seen, and it’s a national crisis. Diverting Louisiana’s energy revenues away from efforts to improve the resiliency of the people, communities and ecosystems responsible for generating the resources in the first place is a fundamentally flawed approach to addressing the maintenance backlog in national parks,” said Graves. “Our bill ensures that these increased revenues will be committed to projects that restore the coast, protect our coastal communities from hurricanes and other disaster and, ultimately, reduce our nation’s outrageous disaster response costs.”

For nearly a century federal law has discriminated against coastal energy producing states. While states producing energy onshore federal lands get to retain 50 percent of the energy revenues, coastal states have received a small fraction. H.R. 6771 solves this problem. 

Energy production in the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 18% of total U.S. crude oil production and 4% of total U.S. dry production of natural gas. In 2016 alone, this production generated $2.7 billion in royalty revenue for the U.S. Treasury. Of that amount, only 0.407% ($11 million) was given back to those states through revenue sharing programs.

Click the image below to watch a clip from today’s markup. View the markup in its entirety here.

CLIMATE LAWSUITS MAY DRIVE THOUSANDS OF JOBS OUT OF THE US, BUSINESS LEADER SAYS

Photo source: National Journal

LABI President and CEO Stephen Waguespack warns that the mounting legal costs and hostility to business will force manufacturers out of select states and could push businesses out of the country altogether.

Lawsuits targeting oil and gas producers over Louisiana’s coastal environment have been “in vogue” in the state since 2013, according to Waguespack. Since then, Louisiana’s manufacturing sector has fallen behind surrounding states.

Read more: CLIMATE LAWSUITS MAY DRIVE THOUSANDS OF JOBS OUT OF THE US, BUSINESS LEADER SAYS

Xavier University, Mayor LaToya Cantrell & Shell Host NOLA Back 2 School Fest

As per the Grow Louisiana Coalition: 

Photo source: Xavier University

Last weekend, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Shell sponsored the NOLA Back 2 School Fest, which provided thousands of students in grades K-6 from the New Orleans area with essential school supplies and services necessary to learn and achieve academic success in the upcoming school year.

Students received free school supplies, backpacks, haircuts, health screenings, hands-on STEM exploration stations and information from other community resources.

Shell's Latest GOM Deepwater Project Won't Be Built in the US

Photo source: PR Newswire

Shell's latest deepwater project, Vito, will be approximately 150 miles southwest of New Orleans.  However, none of the construction of that project was awarded to Louisiana, or any other state, for that matter.  Shell has awarded the construction contract to a fabricator overseas.

Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd., is headquartered in Singapore.  As opposed to previous construction projects which were, at least, partially constructed by South Louisiana fabricators, this one will not be.

As a result of the decision to have this project done overseas, the Louisiana Legislature, during the recent regular session, issued the following proclamation:

"Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize Congress and the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress to take such actions as necessary to encourage that the design and construction of the Vito development in the Gulf of Mexico occur in Louisiana."

Louisiana businesses should be rightfully upset that Shell has decided to turn their back to them in the construction of this platform.  The state's vital role in the oil and gas industry and the dependence on the state for fueling the nation should not be overlooked.

It’s Amazing What Happens When the Economy is Unshackled from Democrats

Photo source: Rigzone

Jerry Morales, the mayor of Midland, Texas, and a local restaurateur, is being whipsawed by the latest Permian Basin shale-oil boom.

It’s fueling the region and starving it at the same time. Sales-tax revenue is hitting a record high, allowing the city to get around to fixing busted roads. But the crazy-low 2.1 percent unemployment rate is a bear. As the proprietor of Mulberry Cafe and Gerardo’s Casita, Morales is working hard to retain cooks. As a Republican first elected in 2014, he oversees a government payroll 200 employees short of what it needs to fully function.

“This economy is on fire,” he said from a back table at the cafe the other day, watching as the lunchtime crowd lined up for the Asian Zing Salad and Big Mo’s Toaster hamburger

Read more:  Shale Country Dangles 100% Pay Raises as Labor Market Runs Dry

JBE and His Trial Lawyer Buddies At Work

Photo source: Twitter

Don’t blame me. I voted for Vitter. 

Here is the latest in John Bel Edwards’ and his cronies scheme to milk the oil and gas industry for billions.  

But shakedowns aren't usually grounded in compelling evidence, and Louisiana appears to view liberal New York City and San Francisco as models to follow. A network of trial lawyers recently filed 42 lawsuits for six parishes alleging oil and gas companies are responsible for the state's coastal erosion and seeking damages.

Read more:  Louisiana Follows Liberal New York City's Lead In Going After Oil Companies

I Can't Wait Until This "Honorable" Clown is Out of Office

Photo source: YouTube

If you work in the oil and gas industry and continue to support both JBE and the Democrat Party, then you need to have your head examined.  I give you the latest from the "Honorable One".  It wasn't enough to go after the oil and gas industry last year regarding coastal erosion.  He's now determined it's time to extort them even more.

The self righteous that couldn't bring themselves to vote for a true conservative in Vitter, congrats.  This crap is all your fault and when he's done in another year or two, this state will be poorer yet.

Honor Code my ass..............................

#IVotedForVitter

Read more: The Governor and Louisiana Lawyers Plot an Energy Shakedown