LOGA Industry Report - Winter 2009 - (Page 11) NORTH LOUISIANA NOTES As you know, LOGA has opened an office in Shreveport to help address the needs of our members in the Northern region of Louisiana. From the halls of Congress to the campaign trail and on to the staff of the governor, I have been fortunate to serve the state of Louisiana in varied capacities. I have long known that this industry has a rich history of Jodee Niswanger employing Louisiana’s citizens and Director of serving as the economic driver. I am North Louisiana happy to be a part of this wonderful organization and thankful for the opportunity to serve the area in which I was raised. North Louisiana has become a hotbed of activity, as well as state and national focus due to the press surrounding the Haynesville Shale natural gas play. This spotlight on Northwest Louisiana has served to highlight existing challenges of the region. Issues such as the structure for training the necessary workforce for oil and gas production and coordinating an industry plan for water sourcing and water disposal are best addressed from an integrated industry-wide approach. In addition to those challenges, there is increasing demand for education and answers concerning leasing, drilling basics and environmental impact of oil and gas operations. Due to the size of the play and increased focus from the media and local and state officials, it has been imperative to organize a coordinated, united response. To promote this integrated industry approach, LOGA has coordinated the members drilling in the shale to form the Haynesville Shale Exploration & Production Development Committee. This E&P Committee meets monthly to discuss best practices for this play and those challenges mentioned: workforce, water and education of the public. Recently, due to the drop of natural gas prices, economic slowdown and general saturation of drilling capacity per acreage already leased, the area has experienced a slowdown in frantic leasing. With this, the frenzied pace of steady media has slowed down somewhat and allowed our companies and mineral owners alike a moment to catch their breath. This can certainly prove helpful in allowing us careful study on the best structure for training the needed workforce and for identifying the best alternatives to industry aquifer use. Thoughtful and measured solutions will benefit both the region and the industry by providing lasting infrastructure. While leasing may have slowed down, the drilling activity certainly has not. Companies are moving ahead with their drilling operations and the results have been impressive. As drilling operations increase, so do questions from the public. LOGA is addressing those questions and working with our member companies to supplement their community outreach. In November, the Haynesville Shale EXPO was held in Shreveport with a huge turnout. Don Briggs addressed the crowd for two sessions on Haynesville Shale 101, and LOGA hosted a booth. North Louisiana: If you have not met or spoken to me, I want to hear from you. I encourage you to email me at jodee@loga.la or call me at the office, 318-8416505, or on my cell at 318-3479223 to set up a time to meet. New Website! Please take time to visit LOGA’s Haynesville Shale Education Center at www.hsec.la. As the premiere source for Haynesville Shale information and education, the HSEC is monitored and updated by LOGA staff. Offering an interactive forum, submission of anonymous suggestions, tips and concerns, the website is constantly updated with shale news. Recently, we added a Careers tab to link the local community to the hiring companies in the area, as well as provide information on training programs. Check it out! Mark Your Calendars LOGA will be hosting the Shale Classic at Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport on Monday, April 27. More information to come! ● As drilling operations increase, so do questions from the public. LOGA is addressing those questions and working with our member companies to supplement their community outreach. www.loga.la | 11 http://www.hsec.la http://www.loga.la
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