Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): Andrew Gardner; Diane Austin; Betsy Plumb. Patterson, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaPete Rogers was recommended to me by Robert Shivers in Patterson. I came to discover that the social networks of retired oilmen in the region are very community-based; although I had talked to numerous Shell hands in Morgan City, none had mentioned Pete. Pete is 87 years old, and began work for Shell well before WWII. Prior to working on the survey crews in the...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): E. Bernier. Houma, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaI had heard about Loyd Olin since arriving in Louisiana because Corine Paulk is good friends with his wife, Sue. Sue is part Houma and Loyd is part Choctaw. Several connections have been made to Loyd both through his wife being related to F.J. Matherne (he's her uncle) and Loyd himself being the cousin of Barbara Davis in New Iberia. I had heard both from Barbara and Corine that Loyd was extremely...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): J. Sell. Houma, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaMr. Christian "Buster" Olivier was recommended by Hartwell Lewis, a fellow Rotarian. He is retired, but formerly active in both local business and government. He is about 90 years old (according to another informant), still alert, active. His home is within walking distance of the municipal buildings and the Dupont department store, which he managed until 1978. Christian Olivier was...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Morgan City, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaI was referred to Marcelle Ordogne by Steve and Jean Shirley because she is a long-time resident of Morgan City. When I called her and told her about the study, Marcelle said she would be happy to participate. She is very busy, though, and we were having a hard time finding a time to get together. She asked if I could come right over, and I did. We talked for a couple of hours, turning the...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): T. Priest. Houston, TXAffiliation: University of Houston/History InternationalLloyd Otteman began his career with Shell in 1954 after he graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in civil engineering. Throughout his career he worked in various capacities including mechanical engineer for the Technical Services Division, Bellaire Research Center, and New Orleans area, marine. He became manager of Mechanical Engineering Research in 1966...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. DiTucci. Lafayette, LAAffiliation: University of Louisiana at LafayetteMr. Patrick Ottinger was born in 1946 in Lake Charles and moved to Lafayette when he was 10 years old. His father was a land man/scout for Stanolind Oil and moved the family to Lafayette when the industry moved from Lake Charles to Lafayette because of Mr. Heymann's Oil Center. Since graduating LSU law school in 1973, he has practiced law in the interest of his clients,...

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Interviewer(s): T. Priest. Harahan, LA.

Affiliation: University of Houston/History International

Mr. Chris Oynes is the regional director of the Gulf OCS for the MMS. He attended Cal State Fullerton and George Washington Law School. Instead of going into practice he starting working for the Bureau of Land Management in 1975, and got involved with the OCS in 1978. He became branch chief in 1983 and now regional director.

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Bryant. New Iberia, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaShawnee Patout's daughter, Debbie Bryant, interviewed her at her home in New Iberia. The interview is primarily about Shawnee's husband, George Patout, and his career in the oil and gas industry.After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, Shawnee Patout's husband, George, worked his way up in the oil field. He started as a roustabout with Shell in Houma, was transferred to...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): T. Priest. Houston, TX.Affiliation: University of Houston/History InternationalRichard Pattarozzi graduated college in Illinois in 1966 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He joined Shell that same year and served as a facilities engineer in New Orleans. In 1969 he became a drilling engineer for offshore and stayed in that role for 6 1/2 years. In 1972, the company made him a senior engineer and transferred him to Midland. After a short tour, he...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): J. Christy. Morgan City, LAAffiliation: University of Houston/History InternationalCharles Pearce was born in the Atchafalaya Basin and grew up on a houseboat. He is the son of a commercial fisherman who moved to Morgan City in the early 1940's to work in the oil field. His father roughnecked for Humble Oil and then transferred to production at Duck Lake. Mr. Pearce went to work at Chicago Bridge and Iron Works and learned to weld at age 16. He...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Patterson, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaKen Perry participated in the previous study and had talked then about the history of his business, the Perry Flying Center, and his involvement in the offshore oil and gas industry. When I called to ask if he would be willing to record an interview for the archives, he was very happy to participate. When I arrived at the Center, Ken was out fueling a helicopter. He came in shortly and we went...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. New Orleans, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaI was referred to Luke Petrovich by the receptionist at the Empire Motel in Empire, LA. When I told her about the study, she recommended Mr. Petrovich because of his long history of public service in Plaquemines Parish. I called Mr. Petrovich's office and was told that he was in court but would return my call. When he did, we arranged to meet in his office in downtown New Orleans. He was very...

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. New Orleans, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaI was referred to Luke Petrovich by the receptionist at the Empire Motel in Empire, LA. When I told her about the study, she recommended Mr. Petrovich because of his long history of public service in Plaquemines Parish. I called Mr. Petrovich's office and was told that he was in court but would return my call. When he did, we arranged to meet in his office in downtown New Orleans. He was very...

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Interviewer(s): T. Priest. New Orleans, LA

Affiliation: University of Houston/History International

Mr. Ed Picou graduated from LSU with a B.S. in 1955, and Shell hired him while he was attempting to complete his master's degree. He began working for Shell in 1957. He worked in paleontology during his entire career at various labs. He worked on the salt dome study leading up to the 1962 lease sale.

Scope and Contents Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Pierre Part, LAAffiliation: University of ArizonaI was introduced to Blackie Pipsair by Laurie Vining. When I asked Laurie if he knew of anyone who had pictures of early offshore vessels, he told me about Blackie. He called Blackie and arranged for the two of us to drive up to visit him at his home in Pierre Part. We spent several hours talking about the oilfield and looking at pictures.Chester "Blackie" Pipsair worked for...