General DNR News

NGA HAILS LOUISIANA INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY— Well Information Website Showcased at National Governors’ Meeting

Washington, D.C. – The National Governors’ Association (NGA) hailed Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster’s leadership in developing the state’s Well Information Website —“a prime example of state innovation propelling states and their citizens into the twenty-first century.” NGA will showcase the state’s advances in tracking the condition of oil and natural gas wells at NGA’s 1998 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 1-4.

“Louisiana’s Well Information Website provides a one-stop source of valuable information on oil and natural gas wells” said NGA Executive Director Raymond C. Scheppach.

“By applying new information technology, Louisiana is making enormous strides toward improving the efficiency and accountability in government. This valuable technology can also help us maximize available domestic oil and gas reserves, so we can rely less on foreign sources,” said Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster.

The location and condition of oil and natural gas wells is critical to Louisiana. Previously this information was only available on paper maps produced by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Louisiana Well Information web site now provides all the geographical and status information in the department’s oil and natural gas databases with the click of a button.

The project was developed by DNR’s Information Services Division and the Geological Oil and Gas Division of the Office of Conservation. It uses a complex suite of high technology products that provide individual and corporate citizens with access to databases of the 205,000 wells drilled in Louisiana. The products include ESRI Arc/Info, the Oracle relational database engine, and World Wide Web servers.

Innovations in technology is a theme woven throughout NGA’s 1998 Annual Meeting. A 30-State Technology Expo will be on site throughout the governors’ meeting, featuring outstanding state technology initiatives that increase the efficiency of government and improve service to citizens. The exhibits include state uses of technology in eleven areas—-trade/competitiveness, tourism, health care, social services, education, law enforcement, transportation, environment, digital democracy, government efficiency, and the arts. From virtual courtrooms to telepsychiatry, states are harnessing advances in technology to improve services and create a more accessible, cost-effective, and responsive government.

“Everywhere you look at this year’s meeting, you will see state technologies at work—revitalizing democracy, providing health care in remote areas, invigorating and stretching learning opportunities, improving law enforcement performance, enhancing government efficiency, and much more,” said Scheppach. “The exhibits highlight the enormous potential technology holds for state government and serves as an inspiration and catalyst for further innovations in the states.”

For more information on this release, please contact the DNR Public Information Office at (504) 342-8955.