Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): J. Sell. Houma, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaAcklin Blanchard was recommended by Diana Edmonson, and is one of the people from Montegut who went to work for Texaco. He and his wife met me in his new home.Acklin Blanchard started work with Texaco in 1947 at the shipyard and warehouse in Montegut, loading supplies, cement and pipes, for $.87 per hour with an extra ten cents for overtime. In 1949 he started in field production,...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): E. Bernier. Houma, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaI received Melvin's name from Herman LeBlanc. Melvin worked for several different contract companies during his time with the oil field. Melvin talks about his oil experiences with much interest. He seems glad to be out of it, but is also thankful to the oil industry for providing him with work. His last comment was very telling. He said, "Well the oil industry hasn't changed one bit. My nephew...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Morgan City, LA.Affiliation: University of ArizonaRosalie Blum was referred to me by Steve Shirley. She is a lifelong resident of Morgan City, and Steve suggested she would be able to talk about the oil and gas industry and its impacts on the community. Rosalie was hesitant as she felt that she did not know much about the oil and gas industry, but after we talked for a while she agreed to be interviewed. As a native of Morgan City, Rosalie...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Lockport, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaIn addition to her position at Bollinger's, Charlotte is active in various community organizations. I interviewed her when I was investigating educational issues in southern Louisiana for the baseline study we conducted in 1997. When I called her to ask if she would be willing to do an oral history interview, she invited me to come over within the hour. I met her in her office and we talked for a...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): J. Sell. Houma, LA.Affiliation: University of ArizonaBob Bonnette is another person identified by Diana Edmonson of the Houma Council on Aging. He and his wife live in a newer part of Houma, not far from the Civic Center and YMCA. He has a good retirement package, and has been able to be active in community politics. While he doesn't regret the work, he is very aware of the "fast and loose" accounting of the oil fields.Adrian (Bob)...

Scope and Contents Audio Only.Interviewer(s): T. Stewart. Houston, TXAffiliation: University of Houston/History InternationalJohn Bookout had a tremendously successful career with Shell Oil Company. After serving in World War II as a B-17 pilot he attended the University of Texas earning a B.S. and a M.S. in Geology. He began working for Shell in 1950. He became District Geologist in Amarillo in 1954 and stayed in that position until 1958. That year he was promoted to...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Houma, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaI met Moye Boudreaux at the ecology festival hosted by the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation in Thibodaux. She was sitting near our booth resting when she realized that we were doing a history study. She and her daughter came over and talked about their experiences in the oil and gas industry. Moye had sent a message to the email address we set up for the project. We exchanged cards and agreed...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. DiTucci and S. Wiltz. Lafayette, LAAffiliation: University of Louisiana at LafayetteBob Bougeois was born in Raceland, LA in 1934; he had four brothers. He studied physical education at Nicholls College before being drafted into the military, where he served in Europe for two years. He hired on with Continental Emsco during the summer of 1959 as a truck driver; he worked there for 12 years in sales, moving from Houma, to Venice, to Morgan City, to...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): J. Sell. Montegut, LA.Affiliation: University of ArizonaGeorge Bourg was recommended by Ed Henry, who had contacted him and explained the study. He was another of the Montegut Texaco hands, well acquainted with the others from there whom I had interviewed. We had a little trouble scheduling an appointment because his wife was ill, but eventually I was able to go to his house and talk. We had limited time because he had to take his wife to the...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): R. Higgins. Bayou Vista, LA.Affiliation: University of ArizonaI had Ray's name on a list from the last time I was in town. My notes did not indicate what he had done, but only that he was involved very early in the history of offshore oil. I called him for the first time on Tuesday (6-26-01), and after I talked briefly with his wife, Ray and I chatted for about twenty minutes. He told me about some other jobs he had had and about his recent marriage. I...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): S. Wiltz. Lafayette, LAAffiliation: University of Louisiana at LafayetteJim Bradshaw is originally from Lake Charles, LA and moved to Lafayette in 1964. His father worked for Union Oil and Gas. He graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a Bachelor's in English and Journalism. Since then, he has worked in media and is currently employed by the Lafayette Daily Advertiser. In the interview, he talks about the changes that the oil...

Scope and Contents Audio Only.Interviewer(s): B. Beauboeuf and J. Pratt. Houston, TX.Affiliation: University of Houston/History InternationalMr. Lee Brasted went got his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University in 1964. He joined Shell in 1965 and soon began to work on developing offshore structures for the company. He worked on such projects as Cognac, Bullwinkle and numerous other offshore structures. In 1987, Shell made him Floating Systems General Manager. ...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): A. Gardner. New Iberia, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaMinos Breaux was recommended to me by Father Fred Reynolds, a friend of Barbara Davis with whom I had a long discussion upon my arrival in New Iberia. He's a very nice man and is willing to meet with us again anytime.Minos was born on Jefferson Island and spent his teenage years working in the salt mines before serving in WWII. He continued working in the salt mines upon his return...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Larose, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaNuma Breaux was referred to me by Katherine Richardelle. He was a bit uncertain about participating in the study because he worked only onshore. When I told him we were interested in the transition from onshore to offshore and therefore needed to learn more about how things worked onshore, he warmed right up and began telling his story. After the interview, when I was asked to stay for lunch,...

Scope and Contents Audio Only.Interviewer(s): T. Priest. Houston, TXAffiliation: University of Houston/History InternationalMr. Bill Broman got his B.S. and M.S. from Michigan Technological University. He joined Shell Development Company in 1953 working mainly in the Houston E&P area. He began working as a geophysicist for in 1959 and became Senior Geophysicist in 1965. He continued to serve in various capacities including Acting Director of Exploration Research. He...