New Orleans has been the home of the Delta Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute since the early seventies. Since its origin, it has continued to serve the oil and gas industry as well as the surrounding community in many varied ways. Although many of the organization’s original goals and objectives have not changed, the manner in which the goals and objectives are accomplished has had to evolve with the changes in our industry and our community.

The Delta Chapter strives to serve all aspects of the oil and gas industry by acting as a joint industry support organization. In addition, the Chapter actively supports the community and the surrounding area. The governing Board meets once a month and directs the resources of the Chapter. The Board consists of oil and gas professionals with a variety of backgrounds including legal, finance, engineering, geoscience, computers and education. The membership is made up of individuals employed with the upstream oil and gas industry including production and service companies. Service company participation runs the gamut from drilling-related to financial, legal, and computer support.

Why such a variety? In order to ensure the Chapter’s role as a joint industry support organization, the Board has diversified its membership to keep in touch with the different segments of the industry. This prohibits the organization from becoming too focused on one particular group.

Several active associations in the New Orleans area represent one segment of the industry. A joint industry support organization such as API’s Delta Chapter works with all the segments of the industry. The Delta Chapter established the first API chapter web page on the internet (www.api-delta.org) with the specific purpose to provide information to the entire New Orleans oil and gas industry. There exists a link to the Smith calendar of oil and gas related functions. An effort has been initiated to have other organizations post their calendars providing information concerning upcoming functions, luncheons and guest speakers. Another way the API brings the industry together is to coordinate joint functions with several of the organizations. The first of these was held in November, 1998 with the local chapters of the IPAA (Independent Producers Association of America) and SIPES (Society of Professional Earth Scientist). Our second such luncheon was held November, 1999 and was again sponsored by the API, IPAA, and SIPES and SPE. The guest speaker was Bob Tippee, editor of the Oil & Gas Journal.

The second goal of the API Delta Chapter is to support our community and surrounding area. The Chapter does this in several ways. Funds raised through our golf tournament held each fall are designated for such support. The Delta Chapter built and maintains an exhibit at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. In addition, for the past two years, the Chapter has funded special projects at the Museum such as the play "Clovis Crawfish" and a "Super Science Saturday". Members of the API have donated their time to assist in these activities and to bring much joy to the appreciative children who have taken part in them.

The API considers education a vital part of our industry’s livelihood. Each year, the Delta Chapter surveys the education districts throughout the New Orleans area asking that teachers who have shown superior skills in math and science in their classrooms be nominated for recognition. The members of the Board review the applications and select teachers from different grade levels in each Parish. The Chapter then recognizes each of these teachers at a luncheon where their principals and superintendents are invited to attend as guests of the API. Then Board members present a monetary award to each teacher at the local school board meetings. Finally, recognition of these teachers’ accomplishments is placed in the local newspapers. The Chapter gives nearly $8,000 out in teachers’ awards every year.

The Chapter’s web page is designed to help educate the community. It has a complete listing of jobs that are performed throughout the industry. Individuals and school counselors can use this listing to help discover career opportunities. A general description of the work is given for each position along with its educational requirements.

The API Delta Chapter is continually striving to serve the oil and gas industry. The goals and objectives may vary slightly over time, but the overall effort will not diminish as long as dedicated individuals who love this industry donate their time and resources to the cause.