General DNR News
Natural Resources Secretary pushes for more oil and gas business
State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Scott Angelle and several key staff members will conclude today a two-day business networking trip to Houston and Dallas, Tx. The state department officials spent time interacting with oil and gas executives from several large companies that do business in Louisiana.
"I want to strengthen our relationships with industry and energy resources managers and the best way I know how, is to meet them face to face and have some conversation," Secretary Angelle said. Angelle believes he can run the department much more effectively knowing what leaders think and what works in improving business development here. "I am a good listener and our visits are proving to be quite productive," he said while wrapping-up the trip from Dallas.
Jim Fuchs, General Manager with Anadarko Petroleum said, "It is refreshing to see state agencies that are taking a proactive role in managing resources." Other companies visited by the DNR group included Apache Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Castex Energy, Inc., Denbury Resources, Hunt Oil, and Exco Resources, Inc.
Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) President Don Briggs believes that this administration is working hard to help grow the industry. “I’ve witnessed going from a complex maze of red tape within the government’s permitting system three years ago to a much-improved timeline to drill and produce wells in the state today. DNR and its Conservation and Mineral Resources offices have jelled under this Secretary’s leadership,” Briggs commented.
Angelle was accompanied by the Commissioner of Conservation Jim Welsh, Assistant Secretary Office of Mineral Resources Marjorie McKeithen, Acting Deputy Asst. Sec. Office of Coastal Restoration and Management Dave Fruge, and Mineral Board Vice Chairman Paul Segura. Angelle said he has emphasized the fact that the agency's online automated permitting system is working successfully. The department will also be assigning an “industry liaison" in the Houston market, who will be available to help companies navigate doing business in Louisiana.
Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has had recent business development trips to New York and Asia. Gov. Blanco said, “When it comes to recruiting and expanding business investments, we want Louisiana at the top of the CEO’s lists.”
In Louisiana, the energy sector provides over a billion dollars in revenue annually to the state treasury from oil and gas severance, royalty and bonus payments alone. Secretary Angelle wants the state to reach out to the global marketplace. He says a healthy domestic oil and gas industry will have that rippling affect; that is, helping to provide for better schools, roads and other public services.
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