The oil industry is the cornerstone of Acadiana's economy. Work in the oil patch  pays well, but it's not for everybody. The hours are long, and it can be a pretty lonely life. I spent about 24 hours on a rig when I was young. I got seasick on the way out, (Not the first, or only) Witnessed the processes of jacking the rig up, and skidding the derrick. I helped my friend install a gas detector, ate GREAT food, and was involved in a hurricane evacuation. Here's a little sample of life on Chevron's Jack St. Malo platform, which began production in December.

 

 

 

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