General DNR News

16 Eurasian Executives visit DNR

It was not just one of those routine days at the office. On Monday, May 19th, the LaSalle Office Building and the state Department of Natural Resources opened its doors to visitors from Eurasia – Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and the Ukraine. The group of 16 men and women delegates, who traveled to the U.S. as part of the Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT), were particularly interested in the oil and gas industry and commercial opportunities that might exists between this country and theirs.

The U.S. Department of Commerce-International Trade office administers the SABIT program that offers an exchange of expertise and technological information sharing. This group had the chance to attend the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, learn from MMS officials in Washington, D.C., train at the LSU Well Fire Training Center, as well as visit several private energy companies in Louisiana and Texas.

Commissioner of Conservation Jim Welsh, State Mineral Board Secretary Marjorie McKeithen and Office of Mineral Resources Attorney Scott Patton are shown with the delegation as they concluded a full day of presentations. Welsh and McKeithen fielded a number of questions and provided information on the state’s oil and gas regulations and on mineral leasing.