October 2019 by Rushing Media

FREE MORGANZA TO GULF COSTS REDUCED

OIL & GAS ISSUE

LNG FACILITY PROGRESSING

GOM LEASE SALE PROMISING

OCT 2019

PRESORT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUMA, LA PERMIT NO. 17

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

PUBLISHER’S NOTE |

OCTOBER 2019 • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 9

TABLE OF CONTENTS SPOTLIGHT ON: 10 13 14 17 18 22 26 30

T-MOBILE EXPANDS LTE NETWORK MAIN IRON WORKS PRODUCING TUG EFFORTS BY LOCALS DRIVE COSTS DOWN RELYON NUTEC TRUSTED SOURCE FOURCHON CHUGGING ALONG LNG FACILITY MAKING PROGRESS LEASE SALE ENCOURAGING LA OFFICIALS PUSH FOR REVENUE

PUBLISHER

IN EVERY ISSUE:

OIL & GAS ISSUE

Brian Rushing EDITORIAL

GOVERNMENT UPDATE

OIL AND GAS UPDATE

08 29

FROM THE TOP

32 34

BUSINESS NEWS

Time to get focused Is shale a “fad”?

Bonnie Rushing EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mary Ditch MANAGING EDITOR

Casey Gisclair MANAGING EDITOR

Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Colin Campo CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CREATIVE

Chett Chiasson

Amber Duplantis SENIOR DESIGNER

NICHOLLS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION It’s all about people News briefs

MOVERS & SHAKERS Headlines and accolades

Nicholas Boutte GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ADVERTISING Bonnie Rushing SALES MANAGER

Deanne Ratliff SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Elise Falgout, David Gravois, Linda Pontiff

OFFICE/CIRCULATION MANAGER Michelle Ortego

CUSTOMER SERVICE Kimberly Ross

CONTACT

OIL & GAS ISSUE

he oil and gas industry directly affects everyone that calls Louisiana home. In our immediate area, it serves to provide valuable employment either directly within the industry or indirectly through offshore equipment and services companies. Believe it or not, more than 12 billion barrels of crude oil have passed through the Bayou Region over the last three and a half decades, entering the state right here in Lafourche Parish at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, or LOOP. In October’s issue, we explore what the industry means to our communities. Welcome to the Oil and Gas issue. Port Fourchon serves as a base of operations for more than 250 companies who are all centered on the oil and gas industry. But as things slowed down in the Gulf, the Port slowed as well. Today, the Port stands ready and waiting as the industry begins its turnaround. Between the LNG Facility, the completion of La. Highway 1 from Fourchon to Golden Meadow, port construction projects and work going on at the airport, there is significant funding and investment being pumped into the port and its future. We also take a look at the most recent lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico and what those bids mean. Twenty-seven companies participated in the lease sale and submitted 165 bids that totaled $174,922,200. This money goes back into Louisiana for land conservation.

Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: editor@bayoubusinessmonthly.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com

In 2018, Louisiana received $95 million from the oil and gas produced from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. However, many people in the industry and Louisiana lawmakers believe the cut should be more, especially since those funds go into Louisiana land restoration efforts. We take a closer look at the COASTAL Act and what our delegation is doing to bring more dollars to Louisiana. In other business news this month, the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority asked the Army Corps of Engineers to factor the work already completed on the Morganza to the Gulf project into the hefty $10.3 billion estimate. Their conclusion: $3.2 billion for 2035, and $5-6 billion for 2085. This large-scale project is to thank for our area not flooding as was feared during this hurricane season. While area governments and businesses are furiously working to diversify their revenue streams outside of the oil and gas sector that made us great, fossil fuels are still literally the lifeblood of our economy. Regardless of how you make money, that market is always at the back of your mind. Thanks for reading and enjoy this update on the biggest part of our bayou economy.

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GOVERNMENT UPDATE |

BY STEPHEN WAGUESPACK, LABI PRESIDENT

TIME TO GET FOCUSED OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

hile the dog days of summer continue to roll along, it’s also clearly time to get focused on some serious business coming up soon. It’s election time. Are you ready? Have you done your election homework? If not, have no fear. Here is a quick primer to get you started. In July, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) released it’s 2019 legislative scorecard, which is available online at http://labiscorecard. org/. We encourage everyone heading to the polls this fall to give it a read and put some thought to the issues addressed. This past session marked the end of a tumultuous four-year term where much was debated but little accomplished. As predicted, the fiscal session that ran from April to June was largely overshadowed by the upcoming fall elections where 47 legislative seats will be vacated due to term limits, members will be retiring or shifting to the opposite chamber, and all statewide officials are on the ballot. The 2019 election is monumental and will impact the future of Louisiana for decades. The next governor and legislature will be tasked with redrawing the electoral lines for offices such as Congress, the state Supreme Court,

the Public Service Commission, and the legislature itself. Meanwhile, the state’s economy is at a tipping point with two consecutive years of significant population losses, low workforce participation rates, and employment numbers that lag the nation. As we prepare for another election season full of rhetoric and promises, the LABI scorecard offers a data-driven analysis of how each legislator voted on the issues most important to the economy and the business community for the 2019 session but also over the past four years. This year, LABI led the way with a proactive effort to enact comprehensive tort reform, seek taxpayer fairness, and improve the economy. Although opposed by the administration throughout the legislative process, a bill to require simple refunds of unconstitutional state taxes was signed into law by the governor. A major infrastructure funding package is now law that repurposes settlement funds from the Deepwater Horizon incident, and a statewide ridesharing bill passed after years of defeat in the Senate Judiciary A Committee. However, a package of bills to enact common-sense legal reforms to begin to lower high auto insurance rates flew through the House and once again met its fate in that same Senate committee. 2018 was perhaps the year of the most

opportunities lost this term, as bills died in the regular session to reform the state’s pension system, enact statewide ridesharing, repeal the seat belt gag order, seek more accountability in Medicaid spending, and take steps toward a Constitutional Convention. In 2017, LABI joined a diverse bipartisan coalition to pass criminal justice reforms intended to improve Louisiana’s ability to protect the public and provide education and treatment to improve re-entry and job readiness for these individuals. The major focus of that year, however, was “comprehensive tax reform”, where the governor’s main proposal was a $900 million Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) to replace the temporary one percent state sales tax – a stark departure from the recommendations of the state’s blue-ribbon task force that would have proved a disaster for the Louisiana economy. When the new governor and legislature took office in 2016, the singular focus was to fill a deficit in the state budget by whatever means possible. Ultimately, a temporary one percent sales tax was enacted along with a bevy of tax changes on Louisiana businesses that led to the state’s #1 rank for growth in state and local business taxes in the nation from Fiscal Year 2016 to Fiscal Year 2017 at an alarming rate of 12.5 percent compared to two percent nation-

ally. Within days of adjourning the third session of 2016, the governor released an Executive Order with seismic changes to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program as well. This approach to funding government with little regard for the impact on the state’s economy is an avoidable factor in the state’s current economic performance. Yet during this term, many legislators worked diligently to prioritize the state’s economy, and the state’s employers are grateful for their hard work and dedication. In this scorecard, LABI is proud to recognize the lawmakers who took courageous stands to defend free enterprise and to promote common-sense reforms to improve the Louisiana economy both in 2019 and throughout this difficult term. Summer is ending. It’s time to get back to business. Louisiana’s future is on the ballot this fall and the stakes are high. The moment is fast approaching where you, the voter, must decide how you want the next four years to look for Louisiana. To prepare, take the time to study up and ask tough questions of everyone running for office. That’s the only way to identify the leaders – incumbents and newcomers – with a vision for prosperity, concrete solutions, and a willingness to address our state’s long-standing challenges together.

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

MARINE CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND REPOWERING

OIL & GAS |

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

IS SHALE

A ‘FAD?’

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

IF IT IS, OUR LOCAL

ECONOMY COULD GROW NUMBERS SHOW LAND DRILLING PRODUCTION

NUMBERS ARE SINKING

was once expected. “I think supply estimates for the U.S. will disappoint,” Ben Dell, a managing partner at Kimmeridge told CNBC. So the question is — how long will it take for us to see a difference here? And right now, no one has a concrete answer. Shale is attractive to oil and gas companies because it’s a cheap way to produce oil — far cheaper than deepwater oil and gas exploration. But pockets of oil in the Gulf of Mexico are seemingly endless streams, while land plays are much more finicky. If the production drop continues, the work, effort and expense to operate will soon overtake the profit. At the point where those two lines meet, work should, in theory, come back to the Gulf, though, as we know from studying the industry every month in this column, there are other global and political factors at play. “It’s a cheap way to drill and get that oil, but it’s a big burst and then production goes down,” Chiasson said. “As numbers go down on land, that’s when the offshore sector is going to be critical to keep production levels up. That’s where we should see a difference here.”

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OIL PRICES — SLIGHTLY ON AN UPTICK This column has mostly been dominated by stories about the ebbs and flows of the actual price of oil, itself. But that’s been pretty steady — not much news to report. Oil hovered in the mid-$50/barrel range most of the past month. Some days, it fluttered up a little bit, some days, it sunk. The rises and falls were mostly centered around the United States’ trade war with China and all of the latest happenings and Tweets involving that situation. Around our press-date in mid-September, there was a small price hike in oil prices to near $60/barrel because of uncertainty in the market after Saudi Arabia unexpectedly ousted its Energy Minister. This led to concerns over a possible change in policy and a hike in price. But as of our press-date, no policies have yet been changed and the Saudis say nothing will change and the new Energy Minister will “continue his predecessor’s policy.”

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

ight now, there is more oil being sucked out of the earth in the United States than ever before. So why is our local economy still slow? Well, that’s became most of that oil is being drilled on land and not in the Gulf of Mexico — a shale revolution that has changed the landscape of the oil and gas industry in recent years. But there are signs that shale may be more a fad than a long-term fix, which could send major oil and gas companies back home into the Gulf for their futures. Shale production is leveling off — if not downright dropping — a trend that local oil and gas leaders are picking up on as more and more research becomes available. As the land drilling becomes to slowly dwindle, that will likely get the Gulf of Mexico active again in the future, though timing is everything. “It’s going to be interesting,” Port Fourchon Executive Director Chett Chiasson said. “What I have seen so far is that it’s a constant, steady decline for the land rigs and that’s expected to continue. That should bring some of that drilling back to the Gulf and to our area.” Chiasson isn’t just taking a stab in the dark. Numbers do back his statement and several well-known oil and gas forecasters agree with his opinion. The Energy Information Administration releases numbers every month to show how much oil is being drilled very month in the United States. In April, United States energy reached its peak. Since then, there’s been a steady decline in production and many statistics say that the shale plays are beginning to produce less than forecast. The Wall Street Journal picked up on it earlier this year, saying that forecasted production was down in “thousands” of locations. In March 2019, CNBC reported that major shale drillers were beginning to cut spending, which again landed support to production forecasts being lower than expected. Overall, energy production in the United States is up from 2018 and 2017 — in some cases by substantial amounts. But the actual individual shale plays, themselves, are underperforming what

FROM THE TOP |

QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK: WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? The ability to make a difference in the community I grew up in.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST? Seeing the community struggle through a bad economic time and the changes that come from that in terms of the business landscape.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON THE AGENDA FOR THE GREATER LAFOURCHE PORT COMMISSION FOR THE REST OF 2019 AND INTO 2020?

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

We are continuing to move forward on the Airport Corridor Project that constructs an access road between La. Highway 3235 and La. Highway 1, as well as a new bridge connecting it to Airport Road. We will be completing the bulkhead and sweep dredging on Slip C as well as another phase of channel dredging on Slip D. We will be finalizing our 203 Feasibility Report that provides Economic and Environmental Justification for 50 foot draft into Belle Pass. As well as, continuing construction of the Coastal Wetlands Park.

CHETT CHIASSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PORT FOURCHON

WHAT IS ONE LEADERSHIP SKILL YOU FEEL EVERYONE MUST LEARN? Take every challenge head on and persevere.

Why Go to the Store TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER? I wanted to be an FBI agent.

When You Can Go to the Source? You Never Have to Worry About Imports When Dockside!

WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB? I learned how to work on my Dad’s shrimp boat. My first paying job was as a lifeguard at the Larose Civic Center pool.

WHAT TIME TO DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY? 5:00 a.m. to bring our two dachshunds out and make my kids’ lunch for school.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? LSU Football. Geaux Tigers!

IF YOU COULD VACATION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHO WOULD YOU BRING? European Tour with my family.

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T-MOBILE EXPANDS

LTE NETWORK TO GULF OF MEXICO STAFF REPORT

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

e often take for granted our ability to stay connected on land through LTE. As offshore workers and even fishermen know, connectivity has long been limited or non-existent in our heavily traveled area offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. In July, T-Mobile announced they were indeed the first major wireless provider to provide the Gulf of Mexico with LTE, connecting offshore workers, vessels and critical infrastructure in an area larger than the state of Florida. This more than 60,000 square mile expansion of T-Mobile’s nationwide LTE network lays the foundation for 5G in the Gulf of Mexico. “We’re putting an end to the pain that businesses and consumers in the Gulf have felt for years with limited connectivity – and in some cases, none at all,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer at T-Mobile, in a recent press release. “We already cover 99 percent of Americans with an advanced LTE network, and we cover places no one else does – like the soldiers, families and civilians at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Now, T-Mobile has you covered, even in the Gulf, and of course…we won’t stop!” Working with RigNet, Inc., a global provider of secure, intelligent networking solutions, T-Mobile is leading the way

for communication over the water. The telecommunications provider has plans to continue to bring the Gulf online in the future, at speeds necessary to conduct business just as if on land. T-Mobile used 5G-ready equipment to set up LTE in the Gulf, so offshore consumers and businesses will have access to the next generation of wireless technology in the future. With the arrival of 5G, consumers will have access to faster wireless speeds to help move massive amounts of data, lower latency for ultraresponsive networks, decade-long battery life for Internet of Things (IoT) applications and the ability to support exponentially more connections per cell site. The LTE coverage, which leverages T-Mobile’s 600 MHz and RigNet’s 700 MHz spectrum, provides a significantly enhanced experience for customers using RigNet’s current Gulf of Mexico digital microwave infrastructure. The partnership also enables businesses to connect critical infrastructure with IoT technology and monitor remote equipment in real time for increased productivity and safety. Unmanned Aviation System (UAS) drones are becoming more and more common in the oil and gas industry. They hold a variety of purposes offshore, including hauling supplies to and from

the rig and/or serving as safety check or quality-control equipment. At a recent stop at Fletcher Technical Community College, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy spoke about the importance for telecommunications throughout the Gulf of Mexico, as it relates to UAS drones. “If you had a drone program that wanted to deliver goods out to a rig, once you were over the horizon, you lost internet service,” shared Cassidy. “Now with internet service over the Gulf, it allows for guidance for that drone. You can now deliver medicine or other goods to remote areas. And our region is moving forward with programs to train these pilots to seamlessly connect businesses, no matter where they are working.” The Houma-Terrebonne Airport is growing quickly toward its goal of establishing a UAS facility on its grounds. The United States Department of Commerce announced in mid-June that it was investing $1.3 million in the local airport to help the UAS facility become reality. Those monies will be matched with $337,500 in local funds to allow the airport to make infrastructure improvements needed to establish the UAS facility, which is expected to create 150 local jobs, retain 70 others — all while generating more than $50 million in private investment.

The project, when complete, will establish UAS operations at the HoumaTerrebonne Airport, which will accelerate technology techniques and procedures for the entire UAS industry. By having the UAS facility, the local airport will be able to rise to the forefront on the quickly growing technology. Fletcher Technical Community College will also be a large part of this expansion. The university announced after the grant was awarded that it has agreed to a partnership with the local airport to train avionics, sensor and logistics technicians, along with airframe, power plant and ground equipment mechanics. Officials with both Fletcher and the airport say that the ability to train workers right here at home is an asset that will ensure that our area produces graduates who study locally, but then also stay and start families locally — an economic boost. Fletcher’s initial role in the partnership will be training individuals in small UAS applications. Training will initially focus primarily on FAA part 107 training — a certification that provides individuals with the foundation they need to start their careers in the commercial use of UAS equipment.

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MAIN IRON WORKS PRODUCING TIER-IV COMPLIANT TRACTOR TUG their Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems enacted on older boats. In fact, research demonstrates that SCR systems offer fuel savings of 5-9 percent against their EGR counterparts. The vast majority of changes between this flagship tow tug and Bisso’s previously commissioned vessels are in the engine room for the SCR system, larger Z-drives, and a larger bow winch and staple to accommodate its expanded horsepower and bollard pull. The Houma crew relied on Bisso’s existing design with some minor changes in tankage, hull, and other very minor aspects. “This new tug for Bisso will be the most powerful ship-assist tug on the Mississippi River and further establish Bisso’s leading position in the region for the largest fleet of ASD tractor tugs engaged in the Mississippi River ship-assist trade,” shared Arlen “Benny” Cenac. The urea tanks were built out of 316 SS and welded into the Port/Starboard ballast tanks of the vessel in order to hold the urea liquid at a stable temperature and balance the vessels tonnage. Since 2010, virtually all new diesel-powered vehicles come equipped with a urea tank to comply with EPA regulations and remove harmful pollutants from the exhaust. A dosing unit injects a precise amount—32.5

percent urea and 67.5 percent water—of the mixture into the SCR, then, the SCR unit burns that urea liquid into exhaust. The heat emitted by the exhaust allows the urea to separate into its component parts of carbon dioxide and ammonia, but the catalytic nitrogen converter reacts with the urea and changes it into nitrogen and water—an environmentally innocuous substance that both humans and marine life tolerate. Top-of-the-line stainless steel piping, air dryers, and air compressors were built in to ensure that urea system runs smoothly, presenting the new Bisso tug as one of the most environmentally conscious tractor tugs on the Mississippi.

TOWING, SHIPBUILDING, CONSERVATION COMING TOGETHER Arlen “Benny” Cenac, a towing and maritime leader in Houma, is a passionate conservationist intent on preserving the culture and ecology of the Gulf Coast. His long tenure and extensive family ties to the maritime industry meshed with his love for the Louisiana bayou and gave way to his newest project for Bisso. The fuel system of the new vessel is carried out on the boat’s contained station “box” and remote fuel shutdowns are lo-

cated on the outside of the engine room. A far cry from the fire pumps for exterior fire nozzle stations in Bisso’s previous vessels by Main Iron Works, the now-updated CO2 system suppresses potential fires in the engine and generator rooms, outfitted by eight Herbert Hiller CO2 chambers. Fixed-system water mist and CO2 dry chemical are the proven remedy for engine room fires and allow for people in the space to safely breathe if a fire erupts. Some suppression agents reduce the heat of the fire, but a CO2 fire suppression system eliminates the oxygen to suppress the fire. The CO2 level in the space rapidly increases, allowing the oxygen levels to drop until the fire is suppressed or extinguished. Since CO2 is a colorless, odorless, and electrically non-conductive gas that leaves no residue behind, the ship should be somewhat protected from damages—cutting down on costly repairs or downtime. On this vessel, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is the TPI (Third Party Inspector) agency overseeing the construction, outfitting, and testing. All tanks and piping were tested to check for leaks; this is something Main Iron Works has always performed in-house for each of the vessels built on the premise.

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

he sun is shining bright in the skies this September as the shipbuilders and engineers at - Cenac-owned, Houma-based Main Iron Works are hard at work on the boatbuilder’s latest creation: a new 100’, 6,008-hp Tier 4-compliant ASD tractor tug. The vessel was commissioned by New Orleans-based Bisso Towboat Inc. in Summer 2018 and is eagerly awaiting its December christening. This will join the growing list of tractor tugboats to enter service in compliance with the Tier IV environmental standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Main Iron Works implemented the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, which scrubs emissions by converting nitrogen oxide (NOx) into ammonia— also known as urea. The environmentally-sound process allows the ammonia to be absorbed by ceramic catalyst bricks built directly within the engines. This new system relies on the convergence of the ceramic catalyst and urea dosing and injection processes, and significantly cuts down on the amount of NOx, hydrocarbons, and other particulate matter and hydrocarbons released into the environment. In addition to greatly reducing the harmful inhalants, SCR systems are proven to substantially increase efficiency over

EFFORTS BY

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

LOCALS DRIVE

COSTS DOWN BY COLIN CAMPO

here’s been a recent substantial drop in the estimated price tag of a large scale hurricane protection project intended to protect Louisiana’s coast. This year the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority asked the Army Corps of Engineers to factor the work already completed into the hefty $10.3 billion estimate. Their conclusion: $3.2 billion for

2035, and $5-6 billion for 2085. “It was priced out of existence,” said Dwayne Bourgeois, Executive Director of North Lafourche Levee and Conservation District. “We had to reprice it, and that’s where we are.” The Morganza to the Gulf Project is currently planned to be 98 miles of earthen levees, 22 floodgates of navigable water, 23 environmental water control structures, nine road gates, and front protection for

four existing pump stations. Also included is a lock complex on the Houma Navigation Canal, consisting of a 110 foot wide, 800 foot long lock complex and adjacent 250 foot wide sector gate. According to the Corps, currently, no federal dollars have been appropriated for the project. TLCD and CPRA have used state and local funds to carry out what work has been done. So far, 66 miles of the levees, 11 of the navigable gates, six roadway gates, and 10 environmental structures have been completed. Originally, the estimate was $866 million, but shortly after new hurricane protection standards, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the cost ballooned to $10.3 bil-

lion. Bourgeois said this stalled out federal work on the project because this estimate is 10 percent of the Corps’ backlog. The TLCD and CPRA continued the project, compiling data on the actual costs which generated the Adaptive Criteria Report. This report, factoring the already completed portions and the costs, resulted in the deflation of the estimated price. The reason for the two different pricetags set for different dates, said Bourgeois, is the cost of increasing protection annually. While this is likely an overestimate, Bourgeois said, the important number is $3.2 billion. “Since the Corps would really be out of

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do you call it maintenance, or do you call it construction?” said Dupre. “We think if we call it maintenance, we have a much better shot of finally getting the federal government to adopt us.” Having got the Corps to sign off on the new estimate, the next step is to have the Office of Management Budget agree. Bourgeois said he’s bringing a strong case before the OMB. The work, already carried out, proves the cheaper price tag, and the savings improve the cost benefit ratio from 1.4 percent to 5 percent. “That’s the kind of thing the OMB has to have in their hand,” said Bourgeois. “And economic data to back it up.”

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

the picture at 2035, the $3.2 billion number is the one to really focus on,” Bourgeois said. Once the levees are constructed, both sea level rise and the ground itself settling have a double impact of reducing the effectiveness of the levee over time. Essentially, the levee sinks and the sea level rises, and the 2085 estimate is adjusting for these factors. Reggie Dupre, Executive Director of Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District, explained that it is a question of terminology - if it will be called maintenance or construction. “This whole story about the re-evaluation is what do you call the post 2035 level:

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RELYON NUTEC TRUSTED SOURCE FOR TRAINING, CUSTOM SOLUTIONS ing Director of the RelyOn Nutec Gulf of Mexico region. “Also, they have access to all of our network systems and drives so they can get the latest versions of the curriculum or of the standards that they’re teaching.” In addition to RelyOn Nutec’s superb instructors, it makes sure to keep dedicated professionals in all aspects of the business. From the front office personnel, who are always willing and able to answer questions for trainees and make sure to provide a smooth check-in process while helping in any way they can, to the supporting back office, all the employees go above and beyond. “Our employees are everything,” Lewis said. “Not only do I think we offer the best services, but I think we have some of the best and most talented teams out there.” “One thing I’m proud to say is that we are a majority direct hire. We use a very

limited amount of contractors or consultants, which means everyone goes under annual reviews and everyone is within our competency framework internally,” she continued. “Everyone has development plans available to them, should they want to progress or transfer across the organization.” Each of its centers are full-service campuses. Clients don’t have to piecemeal their training, Lewis explained, as they can take the multitude of requirements for their position when they visit a RelyOn Nutec training facility. “They can come to our locations and take everything they need. It reduces travel time. It reduces breaks in between training days and the multiple trips that they would take because we can service them across our safety campuses,” she said. With a recently remodeled facility in Houston and a soon-to-be remodeled

multimillion-dollar facility in Houma, RelyOn Nutec continues to improve its multipurpose campuses, too. Having over 30 training centers in 20 countries that span across five continents, RelyOn Nutec is a multi-service, global leader in safety, survival and skills training. Although RelyOn Nutec is an international company, it makes sure to cater to each local market it is in, including the areas along the Gulf Coast. “We’re proud to serve the Gulf Coast,” Lewis said. “I know sometimes there’s a misconception with where headquarters might be. Of course, it’s one of our strengths that we’re an international company, but we were born and raised here across the Gulf Coast. So, it’s a local company that’s serving our local clients with their local needs, but with a big brother that enables us to support them broader as well.”

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

ormerly a sector of Falck Safety Services, RelyOn Nutec of Houma has been serving South Louisiana and other areas along the Gulf Coast for 25 years. RelyOn Nutec’s core services include safety and survival training, training management services, competency management, crisis management services and tailormade solutions. Over 10,000 companies worldwide trust RelyOn Nutec — which has over 30 internationally recognized accreditations — with their safety training needs because of the company’s reliable, innovative, in-compliance and thorough 1,000-plus courses. The exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced instructors with RelyOn Nutec train more than 250,000 people a year in multiple industries — including maritime, wind, industrial and oil and gas. “We have some of the best instructors in the industry,” said Jenni Lewis, Manag-

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t’s sort of a weird time for energy production right now in the United States. American oil has flooded the global market at levels we’ve not seen before. Normally, that would be great news for us and our local economy, but right now, it’s not because most of the oil is coming from land drilling and fracking, a cheaper alternative to drill. This has kept the deepwater Gulf mostly quiet and our local economy mostly slow. But Port Fourchon Executive Director Chett Chiasson said there are signs that things are slowly on an upward tick, and he believes the next 12 months have a great chance to be better than the previous 12 months. Chiasson said work is slowly coming back to the port, our local energy hub. He said things are a little slower than most people would like, but that there haven’t been any drops in business — only small, marked increases. “Things are balancing out,” Chiasson said. “We do see a little more activity. … I’m optimistic about getting through 2019 and into 2020, because with some of the things we’re seeing, we think 2020 can be a year of growth.” Projections for the future are tough because these truly are unchartered waters in the history of oil and gas production in the country. Never before has there been so much land-based drilling in the United States, and never before has there been so much United States energy production with so little of it coming from the Gulf. Chiasson said the past few years have marked significant changes in the industry — especially locally. “We’re in a time right now that we’ve never been in before,” Chiasson said. “We have a huge glut of oil. We have the highest amount of oil production in the world being drilled in the United States. Look at LOOP, for example. That facility was built to import foreign oil. Now, they export. Right now, 70 percent of U.S. oil goes through LOOP and they’re exporting it. That’s amazing. It’s such a different time. All of these things I’m telling you, no one would have imagined 10 or 15 years ago.” But there are signs that the current fad is fading and the energy picture in the

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

United States will soon return to normal, and the port will be ready for the next boom — if and when it comes. Chiasson said shale plays are a “flash in the pan,” adding that land rig production has been going down considerably compared to projections. “We kind of always knew that shale and land was a flash in the pan,” Chiasson said. “It’s cheap to drill and achieve and get to that well and get the oil, but it’s a big burst at first and then production pretty fast. As those numbers go down on land — like we’ve been seeing — the offshore sector is going to be critical to keep production levels up.” And that’s where Fourchon comes into play. Chiasson said there’s bulkhead available at the port right now, which puts Fourchon a little ahead of the game. “That’s not a bad thing,” Chiasson said. “That means if someone calls, we have it and we’re ready. We don’t have to build anything. They can come in and get to work. Usually, we’re playing catchup, but

right now, we’re ahead.” Chiasson said activity in the past few months has slowly risen, as well, and there has been a little more drilling going on in

the Gulf. Looking forward is where the picture gets most rosy. Chiasson said he often gets asked

whether business at the port will ever get back to “normal.” He, nor anyone else, knows how to answer that question. But he does have some strong, compelling signs that the future will be bright. Between the LNG Facility, the completion of La. Highway 1 from Fourchon to Golden Meadow, port construction projects and work going on at the airport, there is significant funding and investment being pumped into the port and its future, which Chiasson believes places the future on steady ground. “With all of these projects we have right now, you’re going to freak out when I tell you this, because it freaks me out sometimes, too,” Chiasson said with a laugh. “But we’re going to have almost $2 billion — billion with a B — in work. That’s just amazing for us. And that just reinforces to us that while sometimes times are tough, we’re headed in the right direction for the future.”

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LNG FACILITY IN FOURCHON

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

n 2017, Port Fourchon broke huge local economic news when it announced that Energy World USA was developing a mid-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export facility at the port. The project came with an $800 million investment — the single largest investment ever made at the port for a single project. When it was all announced, the port said the project was pending regulations, and that it would take a while before the facility would be complete. Flash forward to the present and that’s sort of still where things stand, though there’s now a light at the end of the tunnel. Port Fourchon Executive Director Chett Chiasson said progress has been made on the facility, which will be somewhat of a game changer for the port once complete because it will represent a new type of work being done at the local energy hub. Chiasson said he hopes we’re about a half-decade away from a fully functioning facility. “The good news is that it’s still moving forward — albeit slowly moving forward,” he said. “There’s these federal processes that you have to go through and there’s a lot that goes into that and that’s the stage we’re at now. What I can tell you is that there’s work that’s been done and that’s continuing to be done. At the last meeting we had with the owner of the company last month, we were both very pleased because there are some milestones that we believe will be achieved in the upcoming months that we think will really accelerate the

project along.” The “milestones” Chiasson referred to come in planning and approvals from government. Chiasson said a Waterway Suitability Assessment will be completed sometime in the next six months — a huge hurdle in the process to move from planning to construction. Once that gets reviewed and approved, there will still be a couple of other legal hurdles, but that Waterway Suitability Assessment will be a major leap forward. When asked to give a timetable on the completion of the facility, Chiasson said the project will receive full authorization within the next two years — if all continues to go well. “In that time, we will have a fully authorized project, which would take us to starting construction,” Chiasson said. “You figure another couple of years to construct, so I guess we’re looking at four, maybe five years away from a functioning facility.” It will be worth the wait. The LNG facility will change Fourchon’s services. Currently, the port houses tenants that service the oil and gas industry. But with this, the port will be getting into manufacturing — a whole new animal that Chiasson said he and his colleagues are excited about. The facility will be owned by Energy World USA, and their mission is to export liquid natural gas around the world. Energy World builds power plants in countries all around the world and they’ll be using this LNG facility to help fuel those plants — a whole new chapter for the port. “The LNG produced at Port Fourchon will initially be exported to our own gas-fired power plants right across the Asia-Pacific

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region and also be sold into U.S. domestic markets for marine applications,” said Stewart Elliott, Chairman and CEO of Energy World Corporation. “Eventually, we hope to export to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean where Energy World is separately proposing to develop a LNG hub terminal and gas-fired power plants consistent with our goal of delivering clean and affordable electricity to developing countries on a global platform.” Chiasson said there will be “hundreds” of jobs created in the construction phase of the facility with a lot of the work going to locals because they will have the expertise on how to build that type of facility. Once the facility is in operation, there will be another slew of jobs created, as well. “We’re looking at 100-130 employees or so once it’s operating,” Chiasson said. “So it’s just a great thing. We’ve very excited. There’s more to be done, but we’re making progress and will continue to do so in the future.”

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he local oil and gas industry recently received positive signs that it might see an uptick in the not-too-distant future. In August, the Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 253 generated $159,386,761 in high bids for 151 blocks that cover 835,006 acres of federal Gulf waters. Twenty-seven companies participated in the lease sale and submitted 165 bids that totaled $174,922,200. “We are excited about the results from today’s lease sale, which show a continued upward trend for the year. The total from today’s lease sale and the March sale is the highest since 2015 for high bids,” the U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Andrea Travnicek said the day of the sale. “The Gulf of Mexico continues to be a critical part of our nation’s energy infrastructure strengthening our country through increased national security, job creation and revenues for the American people.” Equinor Gulf of Mexico LLC submitted the most bids with 23, which totaled $16,810,848. BHP Billiton Petroleum (Deepwater) Inc. submitted the highest sum of bids with $41,849,104, and its $22,510,319 single bid for the Green Canyon block 124 was also the sale’s highest. Located from three to 231 miles offshore in the Gulf’s Western, Central and Eastern Planning Areas in water depths ranging from nine to over 11,115 feet, 14,585 unleased blocks were included in Lease Sale 253. Lease Sale 253 was the fifth offshore sale held under the 2017-2022 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program — in which 10 region-wide lease sales are scheduled for the Gulf. Two lease sales are held each year; Lease Sale 252 in March generated $244,299,344 in high bids. “The Gulf of Mexico is the crown jewel of our nation’s energy portfolio,” said Mike Celata, director of Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) New Orleans Of-

RIGHT

fice. “As one of the most productive basins in the world, the development of its resources are essential to the nation’s energy security.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN LOCALLY? Well, for one, money generated from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases, such as lease sale 253, goes into land conservation for certain states, with one of those states being Louisiana. “Leases resulting from this sale will include stipulations to protect biologically sensitive resources, mitigate potential

adverse effects on protected species and avoid potential conflicts associated with oil and gas development in the region,” reads a press release by the U.S. Department of Interior. “In addition, BOEM has included appropriate fiscal terms that take into account market conditions and ensure taxpayers receive a fair return for use of the OCS. In recognition of current hydrocarbon price conditions and the marginal nature of remaining Gulf of Mexico shallow water resources, these terms include a 12.5 percent royalty rate for leases in less than 200 meters of water depth, and a royalty rate

of 18.75 percent for all other leases issued under the sale,” it continues. Finally, it should mean more jobs in the area’s oil and gas industry. “In terms of activity, it starts with seismic activities, in which they kind of identify where the pockets of hydrocarbons are — where that oil and gas is. Then, they have a lease sale,” explained Chett Chiasson, Executive Director of Port Fourchon. “Then you have to go into the exploratory section of the industry — where you get a rig out there. So, the more rigs out in the Gulf drilling means more jobs.” The Gulf of Mexico currently has 28

rigs drilling, Chiasson said, but the industry would like to see that number go up. That number is significantly better, however, than the 10-12 rigs drilling in the Gulf following bottom fallout of the per-barrel price of oil approximately five years ago, Chiasson continued. “…There were about 55 rigs drilling in the Gulf [prior to fallout],” he said. “So, I don’t necessarily believe that we’ll get to that point anytime soon, but 28 moving towards 30 to 35 would be something that would be welcomed by us and the industry as a whole.”

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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n those occasions when I am asked to speak on the topic of leadership, I generally begin my remarks with a quote I found many years ago on the back cover of a Price Pritchett paperback. It goes: “The organization can never be something the people are not.” I keep that back cover in my office as a constant reminder of what successful organizations know and understand. It is all about people. At the beginning of my first leadership class each semester, I tell my students, if you look behind you and no one is following, you are not leading. In his book 360-degree Leadership, John Maxwell, suggests that leadership is defined simply as making and sustaining relationships and then influencing through those relationships. It sounds simple, but if you cannot effectively connect with the people you are tasked to lead, you may only achieve marginal success with your assigned responsibilities. As a leadership instructor for the Nicholls State University MBA program, I attempt to make real the challenges associated with leading people and organizations. I share

with them my 40-plus years of experience, which I affectionally refer to as “scar tissue.” I have had the privilege to work with and lead people in both private and multi-national organizations, including living and working abroad. Lastly, allow me to mention the College of Business Administration at Nicholls State University has announced the formation of its 11th Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) cohort, with classes scheduled to start in early 2020. In today’s competitive business environment, organizational leaders need the knowledge, skills, and abilities to make complex business decisions. For that reason, the primary focus of the Nicholls EMBA program is business analysis and decision making. Each EMBA cohort is limited to 15 individuals. Admission is competitive, and candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. For more information about the Nicholls State University EMBA program, candidates can call 985-448-4241 or email Jennifer.shulte@nicholls.edu. For complete program details, visit nicholls.edu/mba.

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OIL & GAS

REVENUE

BY DREW MILLER

ever, we have to invest in restoring our coastline and ensuring the safety of our coastal families and jobs from hurricanes. This bill will allow us to make those investments.” That 37.5 percent is a number local delegates and oil and gas industry leaders agree is too low. “I think the federal government has historically looked at it differently for offshore because those are not within state boundaries; it’s in federal waters,” said Port Fourchon Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission Chett Chiasson. “So, the case is being made that because we are servicing it on a daily basis, mainly through Louisiana, Port Fourchon and other ports along the coast, that the activity is impacting the state, so we should get more share so that we can do what we need to do.” Chiasson went with a group, consisting of governmental entities, non-government organizations and other oil industry representatives, to Washington D.C. in early September to speak with delegates about getting more revenue for GOMESA, which would in turn generate more funds for Louisiana land restoration. GOMESA was established in 2006 and created to establish revenue sharing provisions for four oil and gas producing states along the Gulf Coast: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. All revenues from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), including bonus bids, rentals and production royalty, are shared among those four states. Of that revenue, 12.5 percent goes into the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This year alone, two OCS lease sales generated over $400 million worth of high bids. Any federal dollars Louisiana receives from oil and gas production in the Gulf goes into restoration efforts, by state law. “Louisiana’s coastline infrastructure is critical for America’s energy and economic security,” Cassidy said when the COASTAL Act was introduced. “This legislation creates equal treatment for Louisiana’s offshore revenue sharing and secures the funds needed to strengthen our state’s coastal restoration efforts.”

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

arlier this year, Louisiana received $95 million from the oil and gas produced from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). However, many people in the industry and Louisiana lawmakers believe the cut should be more, especially since those funds go into Louisiana land restoration efforts. United States senators and representatives, including U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge; U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans; U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge; and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, have all been vocal about the state receiving more revenue from offshore energy production and have sponsored legislation aimed towards Louisiana getting a bigger piece of the pie. In August, just before Congress went into their annual August recess, Cassidy, Kennedy and senators from neighboring states introduced the Conservation of America’s Shoreline Terrain and Aquatic Life (COASTAL) Act, which is legislation to “strengthen the current offshore energy revenue sharing program under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) and to create a new revenue sharing program for future offshore energy production in Alaska,” a press release by Cassidy’s office reads. “Louisiana constitutionally dedicates revenues from offshore energy production to pay for conservation, restoration and environmental projects to preserve and restore its eroding coastline,” the release continues. “However, under current law, Gulf states only receive a 37.5 percent share of revenues from energy produced in federal waters compared to states that receive 50 percent from onshore energy production on federal land.” The COASTAL Act will also eliminate the $500 million cap GOMESA funds are limited to. The bill had yet to be voted on at press time. “This bill makes it clear that Louisiana needs an equitable portion of the revenue made off our coast from offshore drilling. Louisiana is leading the U.S. toward energy independence,” Kennedy said. “How-

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

BUSINESS NEWS |

STAFF REPORT

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES FEDERAL GRANT FOR LUMCON CONSORTIUM TO BUILD NEW OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH VESSELS

ouisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced earlier this month that a consortium co-led by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) and the University of Southern Mississippi has been awarded a fouryear National Science Foundation (NSF) cooperative agreement to operate three new $106 million Regional Class Vessels. “This is something that we have been working on for the last three years, and we are excited to see it come to frui-

tion,” said Gov. Edwards. “We appreciate the NSF for recognizing the importance of building these vessels and look forward to the research they will provide concerning the geological impacts of hurricanes in the Gulf on the fisheries and their production and oil and gas resources along Louisiana’s coast and globally. It’s also a double win for our state with Louisiana shipbuilders constructing the vessels here and LUMCON operating one as well.” The NSF will spend at least $318 million to build three new RCRVs, which are be-

ing constructed by Gulf Island Fabrication in Houma, LA, near the new marine campus. The three ships will be operated by the Gulf RCRV Consortium (a partnership between LUMCON and USM), Oregon State University (West Coast) and the University of Rhode Island (East Coast). LUMCON currently operates one of the most substantial oceanographic research programs and maintains one of the largest fleets of research vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.

Dr. Craig McClain, LUMCON’s Executive Director, said this deal will be great for the United States. “The U.S. is a pioneer of ocean exploration and the RCRV will be fundamental to maintaining this tradition,” Dr. McClain said. “The Gulf of Mexico has a rich history of exploration with critical scientific breakthroughs radically changing our understanding of how the oceans work. These ideas and the first steps of data collection leading to these breakthroughs occurred on the decks and in the labs of research

nical Community College, in support of the economic and workforce needs of the maritime industry. The United States’ academic research fleet of scientific vessels is aging and ship retirements have shrunk the size of the fleet from 28 in 2004 to just 20 today. Of the U.S.’s eight ships retired in the last fifteen years, approximately two were based in the Gulf of Mexico. According to The Economics and Policy Research Group of the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business, the impact of the Houma Marine Education Campus will include the following: • Construction and operations at the new campus (including the Marine Operations Center) will generate over $220 million in spending over the next twenty years. • The campus will generate over $125 million in earnings and $470 million in total economic output over the next twenty years. • The new campus will lead to more than $8 million in saved productivity for LUMCON by avoiding operational shutdowns due to high water and other inclement conditions. The RCRVs are state-of-the-art research vessels approximately 200 feet in length and capable of taking a complement of 29 crew and scientists to sea for 21 days. They will be fully equipped to complete ocean crossings and operate in light ice. As part of the Gulf-Caribbean Oceanographic Consortium (GCOC), LUMCON and USM will operate the third ship, slated to be completed in 2023 and fully operational after a year of rigorous sea trials.

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vessels. Through the dedicated efforts of a Gulf wide consortium we are able to bring this essential, enabling resource to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.” The Louisiana Board of Regents supported the LUMCON grant, providing $500,000 in match from the Board of Regents Support Fund, and is excited about the potential of this collaborative partnership. “The research and innovation that can be achieved through the use of this new scientific vessel is unlimited and will undoubtedly impact the prosperity of Louisiana’s communities and economy in a positive way,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed. “Louisiana’s marine researchers cherish opportunities like this one, which can yield solutions to some of our most challenging issues, including hurricane tracking and offshore fishery expansion. We are grateful to NSF for this opportunity and excited for LUMCON as well.” “The LUMCON researchers and staff have worked extremely hard to compete for this NSF award allowing them to manage this impressive ship,” said Board of Regents Chairman Marty Chabert. “I look forward to hearing more about their exploration activities and how this can positively impact our state, our nation and our world.” The news builds on opportunities already underway in Louisiana as a result of the state’s $12 million investment in the construction of a new Marine Operations Center. The Center is designed to pair the research and academic strength of Louisiana’s higher education institutions, anchored by LUMCON and Fletcher Tech-

MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES & ACCOLADES

DANOS ANNOUNCES CHANGES WITHIN LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE HOUMA, LA 985-851-7077 ASSOCIATEDPUMP.COM

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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Danos announced several changes within its leadership structure recently – moves the company said are necessary because of growth within the business. Cory LeCompte and Kenny Haas will now assume the roles of general manager of project services and general manager of project management, respectively. Keli Dantin will assume the role of general manager of energy systems. Danos Owner Mark Danos said the changes will be beneficial to the Danos team. “We are confident that placing Cory, Kenny and Keli in these new roles will position us for even greater success as our company moves forward,” said owner Mark Danos. “These new assignments allow us to leverage the strengths of these individuals and our operational groups.” Haas has more than 37 years of industry experience. He is moving from general manager of projects to general manager of project management. He’s a native and resident of New Orleans who joined the Danos team in 2017 after serving as vice president and senior operations manager with multiple international automation and energy companies. LeCompte has 19 years of industry experience. He recently celebrated his 11th anniversary with Danos. He will assume the role of general manager of project services. A Houma native and resident, LeCompte will return to the company’s Gray headquarters after working in Midland, Texas, serving as Danos’ Permian construction manager. Dantin joined Danos in March 2019 with the acquisition of Shamrock Energy Solutions. She served Shamrock as the director of sales and marketing. As general manager of energy systems, Dantin will oversee Danos’ automation, instrumentation and electrical, mechanical maintenance, power generation and valve and well head service lines. With over 14 years of industry experience, Dantin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of

KELI DANTIN

CORY LECOMPTE

KENNY HAAS Business Administration, both from Nicholls State University. Dantin is a resident of Thibodaux.

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THE Active Voice for Regional Industry.

THIBODAUX REGIONAL ADDS 2 NEW DOCTORS Thibodaux Regional Medical Center has announced two new additions to their medical team. The hospital announced on Thursday afternoon that they’ve hired Dr. Brandi B. Duet and Dr. Ross Thibodaux, adding them to their award-winning medical staff. Dr. Duet specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She joined the Thibodaux Regional Women’s Clinic at 604 North Acadia Road, Suite 500. She’s a native of Thibodaux who received her medical degree from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ochsner Clinic Foundation Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Duet is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Medical Association. Like Dr. Duet, Dr. Thibodaux is also a local. Dr. Thibodaux specializes in Rheumatology. He’s joined Thibodaux Regional’s Rheumatology Clinic located at 726 North Acadia Road, Suite 3400. A Thibodaux native, Dr. Thibodaux earned his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Internship Program, fol-

www.sciaonline.net lowed by a Fellowship in Rheumatology at the LSU Health Sciences Center. Dr. Thibodaux is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is a member of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians.

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Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) honors Layne Bordelon, Development Coordinator for Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center as the September Employee of the Month. Bordelon demonstrates exceptional planning and organizational skills that she puts to best use at all TGMC events. As a Coordinator, she takes on a leadership role that requires management of human resources and her most valuable resource, time. “The people I get to work with each day are amazing,” shares Bordelon. “Every person I encounter is truly passionate about their work and always willing to go the extra mile for special projects or new

ideas.” In an effort to recognize outstanding employees, TGMC names an Employee of the Month. Recipients demonstrate outstanding and constant commitment to the wellbeing of patients, their extended families and staff. The Employee of the Month also makes it a priority to live TGMC’s mission of providing exceptional healthcare with compassion.

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OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

BORDELON HONORED AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES & ACCOLADES

SOUTHDOWN ELEMENTARY CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING WITH RIBBON CUTTING The new Southdown Elementary School is finally here. Local lawmakers, businesspeople and community dignitaries joined the public recently at a ribbon cutting for the new school, which rung its first bells at the start of the 2019-20 academic school year. The school replaces the old Southdown Elementary School, which was built in 1951 and served the public for more than 60 years before its demolition. “It’s a great day for Terrebonne Parish and a great day for our kids,” Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove said. “Our kids are our most important thing in Terrebonne Parish. To see this and to know this

is for them, it marks a special day.” Demolition of the original building started in the summer of 2016. While that took place, students were displaced. Southdown students from Pre-K to 3rd grade were moved to the old Dularge Elementary School and the upper grades (4th-6th) were moved to Greenwood Elementary School. Terrebonne Schools Superintendent Philip Martin has said multiple times during the process that he’s proud of the work of the system to make the project happen. “It took a team effort,” Martin said. The new school is a gem. It has bright

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

DANOS ADDS ROPE ACCESS CAPABILITY TO PORTFOLIO OF SERVICES

Danos announced that it has added rope access capability to its portfolio of services. The program, which began in early 2019, will allow for quicker access to projects in small or challenging locations for the company’s employees. “Recently, a long-time customer asked if we would be willing to perform rope access projects,” said owner Mark Danos. “Part of our company purpose is to solve big challenges for our customers, so we began implementing a competency assurance and training program for rope access technicians to meet this need. Now, we can proudly offer the capability to all of our customers.” By having rope access, Danos will be able to enhance its current service lines. They will be able to provide additional ways to assist its customers, particularly in the areas of welding, rigging, painting and maintenance where employees are cross-trained. This technique can also be an alternative to scaffolding, particularly in areas where there is limited access. “By providing rope access capabilities, we are able to reduce the time, number of personnel and risk associated with a project, which ultimately lowers costs for

our customers,” said Danos. Danos offers 15 integrated services including: automation; coatings; construction; fabrication; instrumentation and electrical; materials management; mechanical maintenance; production workforce; project management; regulatory compliance; scaffolding; shorebase and logistics; specialized consultants; power generation; and valve and wellhead services. The company has approximately 3,000 employees and 10 office locations throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale and Marcellus Shale.

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colors and state-of-the-art technology for the local children. It features two stories and is among the new leaders in public educational facilities locally.

Participants at the event were shown a slideslow of the renovations, then a ribbon was cut to officially mark the beginning of a new chapter in local educational history.

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TGMC WELCOMES DR. PATRICK TO MEDICAL STAFF Terrebonne General Medical Center has welcomed a new doctor to its team. Dr. Nathan Patrick has been announced as part of TGMC’s orthopaedic staff. Dr. Patrick is fellowship trained in hand, wrist, shoulder and elbow surgery. He’s a graduate from the University of Toledo with the highest honors, summa cum laude. Dr. Patrick says his motivation and enthusiasm for medicine allowed him early acceptance into medical school at the University of Toledo, an accolade reserved for only a select few candidates. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Penn State in Pennsylvania where he was chosen to serve as the Academic Chief during his final years of training. Following residency, he then went on to complete two additional years of fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery at both the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Rochester in New York – training under renowned surgeons. Dr. Patrick has been involved with numerous research projects and new developments in hand and upper extremity surgery, and TGMC President and CEO Phyllis Peoples said he will be a huge asset

to TGMC’s team. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Patrick to Houma,” said Phyllis Peoples, President and CEO. “His immense experience in hand and upper extremity surgery will be a true asset to our medical staff and community.” Dr. Patrick is excited to move to South Louisiana with his wife, a plastic surgeon, and begin caring for our community. Dr. Patrick’s interests include: spending time with his family, hiking, traveling, CrossFit, and New Orleans sports. He is also committed to caring for the underserved in our community and will be involved in many outreach opportunities. He will practice at Gulf Coast Orthopedics in Houma.

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FLETCHER ANNOUNCES CAMPUS UPGRADES bon cutting ceremony was held on Aug. 15 for the store, which is owned and operated by Premier Companies. The store provides a wide variety of food and snack choices. Among menu items are fresh salads, parfaits, yogurt, sandwiches and home-cooked meals like meatloaf and chicken alfredo, among others. Food options will change frequently and will always be made fresh. A wide variety of beverages, chips, cookies and other snacks can be purchased and there is a small section dedicated to non-food items that students frequently need quickly. Items are purchased at high-tech thumbprint recognition payment kiosks where customers can establish accounts for fast and easy payment. Students and parents of students can also deposit a predetermined amount into the student’s account to act as an allowance. The Fresh Market is open to students, staff and faculty. But it’s also open to the public whenever Fletcher is open. “Fletcher Technical community college is honored to be able to celebrate two major milestones for the college this week,” commented Dr. Strickland. “The opening of the fresh market on campus will provide students with expanded food options while pursuing their studies. This new and innovative concept paves the way for campus dining services and we are excited to be able to launch this concept on campus.”

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Fletcher Technical Community College now has a Fresh Market Food Store on its campus. Attendees of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours reception on Aug. 15 were able to get the first look at the new market, as well as see plans for an new, upgraded Student Lounge and Student Atrium on the campus. The upgrades in the Student Lounge and Atrium were made possible thanks to a $100,000 gift the school received, of which will be used for scholarships from Mr. and Mrs. C.H. “Bobby” Burguieres, Jr., to the Fletcher Foundation. The student lounge, which currently consists of standard tables and chairs will be repainted and will feature more modern, comfortable furniture with plenty of charging stations for devices. The Atrium will also be repainted and refurnished. Both projects will be completed by Dec. 31, 2019. “We are so very grateful to the Burguieres family for the very generous donation,” commented Chancellor Dr. Kristine Strickland. “These dollars will help our college continue to provide the best student experience possible. The funding, which will enable us to upgrade our lounges and provide scholarship dollars to students, will enhance the college’s ability to create community amongst our students.” But the Fresh Market Food Store is open now and ready for business. Adjacent to the Student Lounge, a rib-

MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES & ACCOLADES

THIBODAUX REGIONAL WELCOMES DR. HEBERT TO AWARD-WINNING MEDICAL STAFF

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

NICHOLLS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA

Nicholls State University and the Port of South Louisiana have announced a partnership designed to aid the future study of coastal restoration in Louisiana. Through a cooperative endeavor agreement, the Port will allocate $18,000 for research, training and coastal restoration projects at the Nicholls Farm. This is the 4th year in a row the Port has worked with Nicholls to support statewide restoration efforts. “It’s important for everyone to get involved in coastal protection and coastal restoration,” says Paul Aucoin, executive director of the Port. “Our future depends on it, and this contribution is our small way of contributing to that effort.” The Nicholls Farm is growing and is a somewhat unknown local treasure. The 277-acre farm is 3 miles south of the campus. The property serves as an environmental research and education center for Nicholls and its other partners. Housed at the farm are labs, classrooms, greenhouses, shade houses, storage

LA TOUR GOLF CLUB IN MATHEWS WAS NAMED TO LOUISIANA’S AUDUBON GOLF TRAIL. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announced in September that La Tour joins 18 other golf courses around the state on the Trail, which displays the highest level of standards, maintenance and customer service, within golf courses. “We are delighted to have La Tour on the Audubon Golf Trail representing Lafourche Parish as a great place to enjoy

barns and a 7.5 acre pond for wetland plant production. Nicholls biology students and faculty have spearheaded coastal restoration efforts through the Farm. They have grown, harvested and planted over 30,000 plants in coastal habitats in recent years. “This gives us a lot of flexibility to do what we need and be able to respond to the needs of the community,” said Dr. Allyse Ferrara, Jerry Ledet Endowed Professor of Environmental Biology. “We greatly appreciate the support from the Port of South Louisiana.” Headquartered in LaPlace, the Port of South Louisiana is the premier sea gateway for U.S. export and import traffic. The stretch of river accounts for 53 industries and 30,000 jobs. “If we don’t do this, we will lose our coast. We will lose Thibodaux. We will lose Louisiana,” Aucoin said. “We are not in the business of coastal restoration. So we help by contributing to programs like Nicholls State University that are.”

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a quality golf experience,” said Timothy P. Bush, president and CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “La Tour is a beautiful course and deserves this recognition. My office looks forward to working with the La Tour staff to promote this wonderful course as yet another reason visitors should come to Lafourche Parish.” La Tour features an 18-hole course, which sits on 597 acres of land in Lafourche Parish. The course features immaculate greens, lots of water and pure, white sand. It’s a challenge for all golfers of any experience level. You can learn more about the Audubon Golf Trail at www.audubongolf.com.

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Thibodaux Regional Medical Center has added a new, local doctor to their staff. The award-winning hospital announced earlier this month the addition of Scott Hebert, MD, Hematology and Medical Oncology to the Thibodaux Regional Medical Staff. He’s joined the Thibodaux Regional Oncology Clinic located in the Thibodaux Regional Cancer Center. Dr. Hebert is a native of Houma. He received his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Internship Program, as well as a Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Hebert is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine,

and is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society of Hematology.

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BOLLINGER ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING Bollinger Shipyards has promoted Christian Pierce to Director of Engineering. The promotion was announced in a news release sent by the company. In his new role, Pierce will lead the engineering department in all facets of engineering – both on government and also commercial programs. He will also be responsible for the execution of functional and design engineering compliant with customer requirements. The announcement was made by Bollinger President and CEO Ben Bordelon, who said the move will be great for the local ship building company. “Christian’s sound technical expertise and experience coupled with his solid management and leadership capabilities make him an excellent fit in leading our engineering team into the future,” Bordelon said. Since joining Bollinger in 2017, Pierce has been the Lead Engineer and Engineering Manager, in which he was responsible for supervising and directing the naval architecture, marine, electrical, electronics and outfitting engineering

disciplines in execution of Bollinger’s design programs. Pierce has more than 20 years of shipyard experience and has held various positions of authority from Principle Naval Architect to Engineering Manager. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from UNO.

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ON THE AGENDA B2B BREAKFAST

The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host its first breakfast Business2Business (B2B) networking event. Participants are encouraged to bring marketing materials to distribute to attendees, and then each attendee gives a sixminute presentation about their business at their table. Admission is $25 per person. Fee includes a breakfast buffet. September 19, 7:30-9 a.m. Ramada Inn, Houma

CANDIDATE FORUM

Join the Lafourche and Thibodaux Chambers of Commerce as they host a public forum for candidates running for State Rep. Districts 51, 54, & 55 and State Senate Districts 2 & 20. September 23, 5:30 p.m. Peltier Auditorium, Nicholls State University

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

ELECTION DAY! OCT. 12 CHAMBER CORNHOLE CHALLENGE

The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual Cornhole Tournament

in partnership with Southdown Plantation. Two-player teams are invited to register. Space is limited, so please register today! October 15, 4 – 7 p.m. Buquet Pavilion, Southdown Plantation

LUNCH AND LEARN: BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Business leaders of all industries know that today’s customers demand service excellence, which has sparked a resurgence of civility in society. It is so refreshing to encounter an employee who is helpful, courteous, respectful, listens, and explains. Join Mary Chauvin, founder of Etiquette Center of the South, LLC for this informative presentation. This members only Thibodaux Chamber event is $25. October 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thibodaux Chamber Office

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

Join the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber for their monthly membership luncheon featuring guest speaker Dr. Craig Greene, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner. Admission is $25 for members; advance registration and payment required. October 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Business After Hours is held each month for Houma-Terrebonne Chamber members and their employees to enjoy food, drinks and door prizes while networking. October 24, 5 – 7 p.m. Elks Lodge #1193, Houma

OCTOBER 2019 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Join the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber for their monthly membership luncheon featuring guest speaker Ava Dejoie, Executive Director of Louisiana Workforce Commission. Admission is $25 for members; advance registration and payment required. September 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma

Since 1992