Oil in Louisiana’s estuarine environments: A development model

Abstract

Coastal erosion, accelerated by sea level rise, and subsidence are major Louisiana issues. With current sea-level-rise projections, coupled with the state’s eroding barrier islands and coastal wetlands, the region’s estuarine environments are in jeopardy of being lost, redefined, or permanently altered. As the coast erodes, Louisiana is endangered of losing valuable wetland’s habitat. In addition, if the barrier islands disappear, the region’s wetland-oriented oil and gas wells and associated infrastructure will be at risk to open Gulf conditions. If this should occur, each well, pipeline, and storage battery represents a potential environmental catastrophe.

From an oil-spill-response perspective, it is much easier to clean a barrier beach than a salt-water or freshwater marsh. The barrier islands represent not only the first line of defense against the combined wind and water forces of a hurricane, but they also serve as pipeline anchor points. More importantly, the islands protect the marshes from an offshore-derived oil spill. Tidal mud flats, shallow grass beds, marshes and swamps are especially difficult to clean. The key, therefore, to an effective oil-spill-response plan is related directly to the viability of these islands, along with detailed pre-existing environmental, ecological, and habitat information. To be useful, this knowledge must be extensive, current, and easily extracted from a comprehensive data base. These data are being developed in Louisiana in the form of an all-inclusive geographic information system (GIS). Data in this system are helping Louisiana manage a vast array of resources. From a historical perspective, analysis of these data can serve as a model on how a deltaic environment can change from hydrocarbon exploration and development. Entering into the 21st century, Louisiana’s comprehensive database can help balance oil and gas activity, while maintaining the viability of the state’s estuarine environments.