Economic and Workforce Development In Rural Shale-Based Economies

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

7-20-2020

Department

Economic and Workforce Development

School

Finance

Abstract

Numerous distressed rural communities view oil and gas extraction as economically crucial, but the cyclical nature of the business creates significant challenges for economic development efforts. This research examines hydraulic fracturing from an economic development perspective by bringing together the findings of two technical reports prepared by the author. The focus is supply chain targeting for the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) region of Louisiana and Mississippi with benchmarking to more developed shale plays. The findings provide lessons and techniques for rural communities engaged with a shale economy to improve their socio-economic outcomes. To fully leverage the economic benefits of increased hydraulic fracturing in the region, diversified firms for the oil and gas supply chain need to be attracted and developed. The specific industries targeted for attraction and development for the TMS are cement, heavy construction, water transportation, and energy-intensive manufacturing. Workforce programs need to be scalable and stress skills transferability particularly to diversified supply chain target industries.

Publication Title

SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, 20-22 July, Virtual

Find in your library

Share

COinS