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Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Scott Angelle told attendees of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Conference, held at the Port of New Orleans Tuesday, that offshore energy is vital to the Trump Administration goal of energy dominance. Angelle emphasized that production must be safe and environmentally sustainable to meet America’s oil and gas demands now and in the future.
"Let us be the generation that inherited energy dependence and transformed it into energy dominance," Angelle said. "When President Trump issued his executive order, titled, 'Implementing an America First Offshore Energy Strategy,' he changed America’s direction offshore."
Angelle pointed out that about one in every five barrels of oil produced in the U.S. comes from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In 2107, offshore production reached a record high of 621 million barrels of oil produced.
Angelle told the LABI attendees that 50 percent of the total oil and natural gas production in 2017 came from just 11 facilities, all in deepwater, defined as 1,000 feet or greater water depth. Angelle said it took three times as many platforms ten years ago to reach the 50 percent production total. "The fact that the top 11 facilities produce what took 37 facilities a decade ago can be explained by the trend toward fewer, larger platforms in deeper water."
Angelle noted that there has been an uptick in the numbers of deepwater drilling permits BSEE approved during 2018, which makes him optimistic for 2019 and beyond.
Describing two Gulf of Mexico provinces, from an energy perspective, Angelle identified the shallow water Gulf as rich with natural gas and the deepwater Gulf as predominantly a producer of oil. He stressed the need for further investments in both provinces, and stated that recent growth of U.S. liquefied natural gas exports presents an opportunity for shallow water producers.
"I am convinced that more is achieved when all offshore stakeholders − including taxpayers, regulators, industry, safety advocates and environmental organizations − put our heads together and strive for safe and secure energy dominance," Angelle said. "And, as we all know, we can only achieve these goals through safe operations that prioritize environmental sustainability."

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Garre Abshire, 64, who died Wednesday, November 7, 2018 in Kaplan. Reverend Farley Painter will be officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Christine Abshire of Kaplan; his son, Seth Abshire and his wife, Tara of Kaplan; two grandsons, Cullen Richard and Ryker Abshire of Kaplan; his mother, Shirley Mae Abshire of Kaplan; two sisters, Krisen Abshire of Kaplan and Rhonda Davis of Mississippi; and one brother, Carson Abshire of Kaplan.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Aleah Abshire; his father, Ovelton Abshire; and his three brothers, Timmy Abshire, Teddy Abshire, and Joseph Brent Abshire.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Abshire family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

ERATH — Taylor Mencacci is a businessman, and he plans to run the town of Erath as a business.
Mencacci is the new mayor of Erath, beating long-time Erath politician John Earl LeBlanc. LeBlanc had been the mayor for one term but had been an alderman for 20-plus years before.
Mencacci, 36, has a full-time job in New Iberia. He is an administrator of Ambulatory Service Center. He manages 20 people at his day job. He plans to use his day-job managing skills to operate the town of Erath.
“The city is on a fixed income. We can not push for higher sales tax and get more sales tax,” he added. “It does not work that way. It is the same thing at the surgery center, where I work. It is a fixed price on what they pay us, and we have to control spending to make a profit. At the same time, we have to provide good service for the patients we take care of. It is the same thing for Erath. You can not cut expenses that will hurt people who live in the town. We will have to do it the right way and cut some costs, but at the same time, keep the residents of Erath in mind.”
Unlike LeBlanc who stayed in Erath and oversaw the town on a full-time basis, Mencacci will not be able to operate the town like LeBlanc did because he works in another city. That’s where he will count on the town’s supervisors to run their departments.
“We have directors and people in charge of city hall. We have a chief of police, waterworks director,” Mencacci added. “It is holding those supervisors accountable every day.”
Before throwing his hat into the mayor’s race, Mencacci was an alderman for one term. It was during this term as alderman that he decided he wanted to be mayor.
It was during his term as an alderman that he saw how the town of Erath was being run and how some aldermen and the mayor did not work together.
“When I was an alderman, I got much resistance from the mayor of not wanting to work with the aldermen,” said Mencacci. “From there on, I was not one to put up a fight. I decided to work peacefully with whoever is there. I decided then I wanted to be the mayor.”
When he first became an alderman, the thought of being mayor of Erath was never in the back of his mind, he said. A year into his alderman term, the idea of being mayor became larger and larger.
Mencacci said he did not like the way the town of Erath was being run. He heard from the residents who shared their concerns about the town.
There will be four new aldermen. Only long-time alderman Robert Vincent returns.
The new aldermen are Jason Connor, Scott Bernard, “Boo” Landry, and Mike Richard.
The four new aldermen ran on the platform of moving Erath forward. Mencacci plans to begin moving Erath forward in January when he and the aldermen are sworn in.
“We are bringing business experience. We also need to manage expenses in Erath,” he said. “The new aldermen who were elected bring their business minds to Erath. I believe that government is a business, and we need to run it like a business.”

Carl Toups joined the race for Justice of the Peace in Ward 1 because he wanted to be able to help the people of his community.
A majority of the people in the Ward 1 community, which covers the Erath area, agreed that Toups is the right person for the job.
In a three-man race, Toups received 58 percent (1,906) of the 3,289 votes. Chris Langlinais finished second, with 30 percent (987 votes). Brian Richard received 396 votes (12 percent).
“I would like to thank all the constituents of Ward 1,” Toups said Wednesday morning. “I would like to thank my friends and family. I want to thank everyone who allowed me inside of their home and supported me for this election.
“I am humbled and appreciative to be elected Justice of the Peace.”
Toups will take over for former Justice of the Peace Shane Broussard, who stepped down because of health issues. Toups will serve the remainder of Broussard’s unexpired, six year-term. That term ends on Dec. 31, 2020. Rene Dartez also serves as Justice of the Peace in Ward 1.
Part of Toups’ new duties will be handling small claims court, for issues and disputes under $5,000.
“It’s anything too small to go into a larger court,” Toups said.
Toups is ready to get on the job.
“They will let me know when I will be sworn in,” Toups said. “Those are some of the details that are going to be worked out.”
Toups’ goal of joining the race to serve his community has certainly worked out.
“I like to help people,” Toups said. “It’s a good example for my family, my four kids, that we give back and try to make a difference in the community.”