Office of Mineral Resources
Geological and Engineering Division
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Victor Vaughn 617 North Third Street |
The Geological and Engineering Division (G&E) provides the State Mineral Board with expertise, advice and recommendations in the fields of geology, geophysics and engineering, by compiling, maintaining and analyzing varied scientific data to determine the most advantageous minerals exploration, development and production on state-owned lands and water bottoms.
This Division works closely with the Mineral Board's Fact Finding Committee.
The special projects geologists handle a variety of projects involving minerals activity on state acreage at the request of Department and Office administration or as a result of developing industry activity.
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Service or Program | Contacts |
| How to Acquire an Operating Agreement |
Charles Bradbury Rick Heck |
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| How to Obtain a Seismic Permit on State Lands and Water Bottoms | Byron Miller (225) 342-5285 |
Tract Evaluation and Lease Development Section
The Tract Evaluation and Lease Development Section is divided into geographic Districts 1 East, 1 West, 2 and 3, each staffed by geologists who are responsible for monitoring all oil and gas related activities in their assigned area.
Section geologists evaluate and compile leasing and geological data pertinent to tracts nominated for state mineral lease sale, attend lease sales, and advise the State Mineral Board as to bids most advantageous to the state.
This Section is responsible for monitoring and reviewing all existing state leases to insure that the lessee is prudently maintaining and developing the state lease. Geologists monitor adjacent drilling activity (including the 8(g) offshore area) to ensure that offset activity does not drain reserves from state property. They represent the state as landowner in Office of Conservation forced pooling and unitization proceedings, evaluate requests for voluntary unitization and review State Mineral Board docket items and partial releases, working to ensure fair state participation in producing units.
Special Projects Section
The Special Projects Section houses G&E's petroleum engineers, geologists having expertise in geophysics, and special project geologists.
The petroleum engineers receive requests for and perform detailed analysis of operating agreements, review and evaluate surface and downhole commingling requests, determine commercial productivity in connection with shut-in and/or gas marketing lease provisions and evaluate secondary recovery proposals.
They assist staff auditors with field and facility audits and staff geologists with reservoir and economic evaluations of tracts and producing leases.
The geologists with expertise in geophysics receive and process applications for non-exclusive seismic permits and evaluate requests for exclusive geophysical agreements prior to application.
They also interpret seismic data for the purposes of recommending current and prospective minerals activities advantageous to the state and protecting the state's interests in pooling and unitization matters.
The special projects geologists handle a variety of projects involving minerals activity on state acreage at the request of Department and Office administration or as a result of developing industry activity.
Lease Maintenance Section
The Lease Maintenance Section reviews state mineral leases for production, royalty payments, deferred development and additional consideration portions of lease bids.
Its personnel also coordinate all meetings with industry representatives concerning plans of development and voluntary unit creation involving state acreage, as well as staff activities in support of the State Mineral Board Fact Finding Committee.
