Office of Conservation
Drilling permit spike highlights trend of increasing exploration
The upturn in drilling permits being handled by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Office of Conservation this year continues, with 52 drilling permits having been submitted on Monday.
New Rules for the Louisiana Oilfield Announced
Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation James H. Welsh has issued effective June 29, 2008, two Emergency Rules regarding drilling safety requirements for oil and gas wells located within the state. The temporary moratorium prohibiting drilling within a quarter of a mile of all Louisiana’s interstate highways is now lifted, he said, and the two emergency rules will be in effect for 120 days.
Drilling Order near interstates continues for 30 days
Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh has issued today a second continuance of a drilling ban imposed last November, prohibiting any new permits for wells to be drilled within a quarter of a mile of an interstate highway.
DNR staff appointments named
State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Scott Angelle announced today the appointment of three members of his executive staff. Robert D. Harper, Marjorie McKeithen, and James H. Welsh have returned to top positions they previously held with the department.
CONSERVATION OFFICE ISSUES NEW DRILLING ORDER
Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh issued today a 60-day continuance of a moratorium on new drilling operations in the state within one quarter of a mile distance to interstates. According to Commissioner Welsh, a committee selected to review information and current drilling safety regulations in Louisiana and in other oil and gas producing states has not yet completed their work.
Incident Inspection Report Available
Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh, in response to the Iberia Parish Council and U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu’s Office, has issued details about a recent incident and an inspection report completed by his office on the Jefferson Island Storage and Hub Facility located in Iberia parish.
Contractors checking water wells in coastal parishes
The impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on water wells are being checked and evaluated for damages through a program sponsored by the state Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation.
DNR restoration project wins national honor
BATON ROUGE — The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) has named the Chaland Headland coastal restoration project as one of America’s Top Restored Beaches.
Lake Tests Show Nothing Harmful
Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation announced today the results of recent water bottom and sediment testing at Lake Peigneur in Iberia parish. Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh said that so far there is nothing from recent diver-surveys or lab analyses that pinpoint a source of the reported incidences of bubbling in the lake.
Public Hearings Set on CIAP and CPRA Plans
Public hearings on both of the state’s coastal protection and restoration plans will be held in Houma, Lake Charles, New Orleans and Abbeville. (Coastal Impact Assistance Plan and Coastal Protection and Restoration Master Plan)