The purpose of this project is to study, document and explain the history and evolution of the offshore oil and gas industry in southern Louisiana in an objective and comprehensive way. The geographic extent and complexity of the industry, the tremendous number of petroleum and associated service companies, and the vast array of impacts has required the identification and recruitment of hundreds of individuals with direct experience with the industry and its effects. University researchers have spent thousands of hours with people responsible for the offshore oil and gas industry in southern Louisiana. They recorded interviews, collected written documents, and obtained digital copies of photographs and video from the early days.