OCS Study MMS 2002-072

The oil and gas industry comprises a very important part of the history and economy of coastal states in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) region. In Louisiana, the strong impact of the oil and gas industry on revenues and employment is explained by the amount of production and by oil prices, with the latter affecting the revenue and employment structure more strongly after 1974. This report studies the effect the oil and gas industry had on commuting and migration patterns in coastal and noncoastal areas of Louisiana from 1960 to 1990. It covers commuting networks and commuting distance, and trend and level patterns of migration; and it quantifies factors and establishes models for predicting commuting and migration patterns.

During the period 1960-1990, the number of commuters increased four-fold from 104,485 to 412,605. Additionally, the 11 coastal parishes of Louisiana received more commuters than the State’s 53 noncoastal parishes combined. Commuters tended to travel from noncoastal parishes to coastal parishes and over the years commute distances increased.

The migration patterns in coastal and noncoastal areas are similar, although the proportion of migrants in the coastal areas peaked during the period 1965-1970, whereas the peak for the noncoastal areas occurred during the period 1975-1980. Migration rates between coastal and noncoastal areas never differed by more than 2 percent.

This report is available only in compact disc format. The discs are available from the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, at a charge of $15.00 by referencing OCS Study MMS 2002-072. The report is available in its entirety at the Regional website, www.gomr.mms.gov. You will be able to obtain this report also from the National Technical Information Service in the near future. Here are the addresses. You may also inspect copies at selected Federal Depository Libraries.

Minerals Management Service
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region
Public Information Office (MS 5034)
1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394
Telephone requests may be placed at
(504) 736-2519 or 1-800-200-GULF
or FAX: (504) 736-2620

U.S. Department of Commerce
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, Virginia 22161
(703) 487-4650 or FAX: (703) 321-8547
Rush Orders: 1-800-336-4700

MMS is the Federal agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages the nation's oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf in Federal offshore waters. The agency also collects, accounts for, and disburses mineral revenues from Federal and American Indian leases. These revenues totaled over $6 billion in 2002 and nearly $127 billion since the agency was created in 1982. Annually, nearly $1 billion from those revenues go into the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the acquisition and development of state and Federal park and recreation lands.

January 2003		Contact: Barney Congdon
		(504) 736-2595

		Caryl Fagot
		(504) 736-2590

		Debra Winbush
		(504) 736-2597

Effect of the Oil and Gas Industry on Commuting and

Migration Patterns in Louisiana: 1960-1990

The Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, announces the availability of a new study report, Effect of the Oil and Gas Industry on Commuting and Migration Patterns in Louisiana: 1960-1990.