One to forget: The number of rigs actively exploring for oil or gas in Louisiana fell by one this week to 64, according to the weekly report released today by Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. Across the country, the rig count declined by 13 to 744. Of those, 555 rigs were seeking oil and 189 explored for natural gas. A year ago, with oil prices almost double the prices now, 1,917 rigs were active. The tally, normally released on Friday, was advanced this week because of Thanksgiving. Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas lost six rigs while Alaska, California, Colorado, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Wyoming each lost one. New Mexico gained two rigs and Oklahoma gained one. Arkansas, Kansas, Ohio, Utah and West Virginia were unchanged. The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.
It’s all online: Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has launched a new website to provide Louisiana residents updates about his administration’s transition and give those interested in serving in his administration a contact point. The Associated Press reports visitors to OnwardLouisiana.com can fill out a form to indicate interest in serving and also features a newsletter sign-up form and news archive so visitors can track key announcements leading up to Edwards’ Jan. 11 inauguration. In a news release, Edwards says he’s looking to assemble a group of the “hardest working public servants to lead Louisiana through many critical challenges and onward to the future we deserve,” regardless of party affiliation.
Seeing red: Despite the surprises and the historical wins made Saturday, political analysts tell The Shreveport Times the results of the Nov. 21 elections statewide don’t indicate a shifting political landscape or a rise of anti-incumbency in Louisiana. Instead, analysts count the election as an anomaly for the governor’s race which resulted in the election of Democrat John Bel Edwards over Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter. Edwards won by a margin of 12 points. He’s now one of two Democrats elected to statewide offices in the Deep South. Culturally, Louisiana is the same despite Saturday’s political shakeups. Political analysts from across the state say elections for some races were merely a numbers game hedging on who got the most supporters to the polls. Other races were impacted by lingering issues voters could no longer ignore. And there’s indication some voters wanted change. Read the full story.
Editor’s note: The offices of Business Report will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, and Daily Report will not be published. Daily Report will return on Monday, Nov. 30. Have a safe and happy holiday.
