Work and Change in the Gulf of Mexico Offshore Petroleum Industry

Diane E. Austin, Thomas R. McGuire, Rylan Higgins

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relationship between the offshore oil and gas industry and southern Louisiana has been one of ongoing, mutual adaptation. The industry has long been cyclical, responding to price changes, corporate decisions, and federal and state policies. Today, however, the industry offers little guarantee of employment, difficult terms of advancement, and, in general, an uncertain future. Many of the young men and women of the communities of southern Louisiana are looking elsewhere for work. As the local labor sources diminish, companies seek out new labor supplies, including workers from outside the region and from other parts of the world. This paper discusses some of the processes that corroded the unique relationship between the region, its people, and this industry.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMarkets and Market Liberalization
Subtitle of host publicationEthnographic Reflections
EditorsNorbert Dannhaeuser, Cynthia Werner
Pages89-122
Number of pages34
StatePublished - 2006

Publication series

NameResearch in Economic Anthropology
Volume24
ISSN (Print)0190-1281

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anthropology
  • Economics and Econometrics

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