Michael Pernici, Manager of Business Development
Michael.pernici@la.gov | 225.342.5566
Louisiana's legacy energy industry offers companies like yours a skilled workforce, access to research centers and universities around the state fueling innovation, a pro-business environment and competitive incentive packages - all designed to help your business grow and succeed.
Louisiana'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. And decades spent as an energy leader provide the state with a readily available, skilled workforce. Through LED Faststart™, the state can also offer customized workforce recruitment, screening and training to companies expanding in or relocating to Louisiana - all at no cost.
Certain energy companies may also be able to take advantage of the state's Digital Media and Software Incentive.
- Businesses that develop software for purposes such as accounting, lease management, well design, seismic evaluation and 3-D visualization may qualify for the program, which can provide a 35% tax credit for payroll expenditures and a 25% tax credit on production expenditures.
- Businesses with tax liability in Louisiana can use these credits to reduce their tax liability in the state. For companies without a large tax liability, there is a well-developed market for selling the credits.
Research centers and universities throughout the state are fueling innovation and providing skilled workers to energy companies. A number of Louisiana universities graduate new petroleum engineers each semester, including the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana State University. Both of these universities are also pioneering research into new eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels.
Learn more about how your business can take advantage of Louisiana's wealth of opportunities in the Energy industry.
Explore This Industry
Chemicals
Louisiana is home to 90 major chemical plants and 300 petrochemical manufacturers that directly employ 27,000 skilled workers. The state supplies infrastructure required for world-class manufacturing combined with the necessary service providers - more than 1,000 Louisiana service companies support the petrochemical industry.
In 2008, Albemarle Corp. relocated its corporate headquarters to Baton Rouge, La. from Richmond, Va. The Fortune 1000 company, which develops, manufactures and markets engineered specialty chemicals, credited the decision to Louisiana's bold leadership, promising new direction, business-friendly tax environment and competitive incentives.
Oil and Gas: Exploration and Production
Eighty-eight percent of U.S. offshore rigs are located on Louisiana's Outer Continental Shelf, and counting offshore production, the state is the No. 1 producer of crude oil and the No. 2 producer of natural gas in the country. Economic officials expect growth in three areas that will help the state maintain the industry's economic impact in the future: unconventional gas, ultradeep water and enhanced oil recovery techniques. These areas combined are predicted to create as many as 55,000 new direct and indirect jobs between 2009 and 2029.
North Louisiana's Haynesville Shale, for example, is a leading unconventional gas play, encompassing up to four million acres across 16 parishes. Considered the fourth largest natural gas field in the world, Haynesville Shale's reserves are estimated to contain 160 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas - almost seven times the nation's annual consumption.
Oilfield Services, Supplies and Equipment
Louisiana is a key location for oilfield services, supplies and equipment providers, including drilling companies, fluid providers, decommission operations, 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.
Refining
Louisiana's refineries account for 17 percent of the total U.S. refining capacity. Of the state's 19 refineries, three rank in the nation's top five for operable capacity. The state has more than 7,300 miles of oil pipeline and 11,200 miles of gas pipeline safely carrying crude oil from the Gulf of Mexico to refineries in Louisiana and other states and carrying natural gas to all parts of the country. There are also pipelines carrying refined products, such as gasoline, from and through Louisiana to other states.
Learn More About Louisiana's Energy Jobs Training Resources.
Energy
Featured Incentives
Provides a 100% property tax abatement for up to 10 years on materials used in new manufacturing.
Provides rebate on annual payroll expenses and either a 4% sales/use tax rebate on capital expenditures or an investment tax credit equal to 1.5% of qualifying expenses.
Energy
Featured Case Study
Competitive incentives from the state of Louisiana convinced Cameron Valves & Measurement to expand its manufacturing facility in Ville Platte, La., creating new job opportunities and strengthening the local economy.
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Energy
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