AboutDavid Traugott Expertise I can answer questions related to the technical issues associated with the drilling and completing of oil and gas wells; very familiar with the cementing process and LWD tools. Limited knowledge of mineral rights and/or royalties.
Experience Twelve years working as an engineer in the industry both in the field and in the office. Field locations include offshore, land, and overseas. Office locations include Lafayette, LA and Houston, TX.
Organizations SPE, AADE, IADC, API, IEEE
Publications SPE Drilling and Completion Magazine
Education/Credentials -Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, 1995
-Currently working on MBA, 2010 (anticipated)
Past/Present Clients Major and Independent Oil and Gas Companies.
Expert: David Traugott Date: 4/15/2008 Subject: Suspect deposit
Question Mr. Traugott,
I suspect I have a natural gas deposit on my property located in Louisiana near Lake Charles. My question is thus, how do I proceed? Who should I contact? Is there a procedure in place for ordinary citizen inquires in my state? Thank you for your time. Jim
Answer Typically the oil companies will perform seismic in an area and then study the results and then decide where they want to drill. Once they finalize the prospected area they then utilize a landman to acquire the mineral rights to the land by signing leases with the mineral owners. Once the mineral rights are secured they will then put together a drilling program (on paper) and submit to the regulatory authorities for approval. After all of that is completed, the regulatory agency will issue a permit to drill and the company will mobilize the equipment necessary to drill the well or wells.
If you would like to see where the other wells are in your area and who drilled them, you can go to the LA SONRIS database (see link below) and view the data on your computer. You can also call the LA Dept of Natural Resources and ask them for additional information about your area, here is the link.
