As one of the most storied oil and gas regions in the nation, the energy sector represents a mainstay in North Louisiana's economy. At the turn of the century, Caddo field produced a majority of the state’s crude oil until the collapse of the oil and gas industry in the 1980s. 28 years later, the region would make another great discovery, a natural gas play-- known as the Haynesville Shale, a dense rock formation that contains natural gas. Experts believe the Haynesville Shale could potentially hold some 200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This discovery has transformed and reinvigorated the energy sector in North Louisiana. Economic officials anticipate unconventional natural gas will remain a growth sector in the forseeable future. Combined with growth in the state's other energy industries: ultradeep water drilling and enhanced oil recovery techniques, an estimated 55,000 new direct and indirect jobs are projected to be created between 2009 and 2029 within the energy sector in Louisiana.
North Louisiana's Haynesville Shale encompasses up to four million acres across 16 parishes. Considered the fourth largest natural gas field in the world and currently the most productive in the U.S., Haynesville Shale has injected millions in the local, regional and state economy, turning sleepy, rural communities in North Louisiana into boom towns practically overnight. According to a 2010 study by economist, Dr. Loren Scott, the Haynesville Shale generated:
A 2011 American Chemistry Council study shows that increased shale gas production will generate:
As the second-largest chemical-producing state with 23,000 industry employees, Louisiana is positioned to take advantage of the lower feedstock costs that result from new supplies of domestic natural gas. According to a 2011 American Chemistry Council study, increased natural gas production is estimated to produce:
Louisiana is a key location for oilfield services, supplies and equipment providers, including proppant companies, drilling companies, fluid providers, decommission operations, as well service and repair businesses, and oilfield equipment and fluid manufacturers. These types of businesses thrive in Louisiana due to the state's proximity to key producing regions. Louisiana can also help companies create a foothold in the state through competitive incentives, a skilled workforce and a business-friendly tax environment.
North Louisiana's energy legacy provides companies access to a skilled and experienced workforce, an existing infrastructure, research centers and universities developing fueling innovation, a pro-business environment and competitive incentive packages - all designed to help your business grow and succeed.
North Louisiana offers the lowest cost of doing business in the U.S. and North America, as ranked by Forbes and KPMG Competitive Alternatives, respectively. The region's competitive labor costs, utility rates, transportation costs, and business friendly tax structure provide a sustainable business solution. Learn more
Our region's business climate is healthier than ever, due in part to a business-friendly tax environment and ethics reform that have seen the state's financial disclosure ranking rise to No. 1 from No. 44. In just the last few years, Louisiana's business climate ranking has climbed to the top ten for best places to do business in many leading publication. Learn more
Decades spent as an energy leader has provided North Louisiana with a skilled and experienced workforce in the energy sector. Through various state and local programs, including the nation's No. 1 workforce training program Louisiana FastStart™, your company can take advantage of customized workforce recruitment, screening and training solutions - all at no cost. Learn moreLocal higher education partners are working with energy companies to develop industry specific vocational training programs to produce a workforce pipeline. For example, Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) and EnCana Corporation have partnered to create a new degree and certificate program in oil and gas technology at BPCC. The Associate of Applied Science in Oil and Gas Technology and Certificate of Technical Studies in Oil and Gas Technology have been approved by the Louisiana Community and Technology College System Board of Supervisors and are currently seeking approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents. Learn more