THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF LOUISIANA 371 
 
The drop occurred in all three areas— north, south, and offshore. An
average of 
91 drilling rigs operated offshore in 1967 
(98 in 1966); an average of 235 operated 
in the entire State in 1967 (256 in 1966). According to the American Petroleum

Institute, quantities of proved recoverable reserves of crude oil, natural
gas, and natural gas liquids in Louisiana reached new highs in 1967. At yearend,
the crude oil reserve (5,456 million barrels) comprised 17.4 percent of the
U.S. reserve; the natural gas reserve (86,290 billion cubic feet) was 29.5
percent; the natural gas liquids reserve (2,607 million barrels) was 30.3
percent of the total. Of the gross additions to Louisiana's crude petroleum
reserve in 1967, less than 1 percent was attributed to newly discovered fields;
16.4 percent to new reservoirs in old fields; and the remainder to extensions
and revisions of previously discovered reservoirs. 
 
 Carbon Black.—The carbon black production in the State was 923 million
pounds valued at $61 million in 1967, a 1-percent increase in value over
1966. This production represented 37 percent of the U.S. carbon black production.
About 23.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas was consumed by the industry
for an average yield of 12.64 pounds of carbon black per 1,000 cubic feet
of gas; 129 millioa gallons of liquid hydrocarbons was consumed for an average
yield of 4.87 pounds per gallon. 
 Nearly all the carbon black produced in Louisiana was from furnace plants.
St. Mary Parish had production from three plants; Ouachita Parish from two
plants plus a channel black plant; and Avoyelles, Calcasieu, and Evangeline
Parishes each had one plant. The product was used mainly as an additive in
rubber manufacturing. Nationwide, 94 percent was directed to the rubber industry;
nearly 3 percent was used in ink; 1 percent in plastics; and the remainder
was used in paint, paper, chemicals, foods, and miscellaneous uses. 
 
Table 8.—Carbon black production 
 
Year 
Million 
 
pounds 
1962                          
608 
1963                          
649 
1964                          
726 
1965                          
821 
1966                          
899 
1967                          
923 
 Columbian Carbon Co. expanded its North Bend plant in St. Mary Parish by
adding a 30-miil'lion-pound-per-year thermal plant. 
 
 Natural Gas.—Marketed production of natural gas increased 12.5 percent
over that of 1966, representing the largest volume gain of any State and
continuing a strong growth trend for the 22d consecutive year. Louisiana
retained its position of second among the States as a producer of natural
gas, supplying 31.5 percent of the total natural gas marketed. 
 Several pipeline companies purchased new gas supplies, mainly from offshore
fields. Texas Eastern Transmission Corp. acquired 896 billion cubic feet
of proved reserves in Block 6 field, Main Pass area. Southern Natural Gas
Co. contracted with Pan American for unspecified reserves in West Delta Block
73 field, and acquired large reserves (estimated up to 500 billion cubic
feet) in Lake Washington field, Plaquemines Parish, and Bay Ste. Elaine field,
Terrebonne Parish. Michigan Wisconsin Pipe Line Co. acquired at least 400
billion cubic feet from Shell Oil Co. in four fields in Eugene Island and
Marsh Island areas. Humble Oil & Refining Co. filed for a permit to sell
gas from the same area—Eugene Island Block 188 field—to Michigan
Wisconsin Pipe Line Co. 
 The Federal Power Commission (FPC) granted Florida Gas Transmission Co.
a permit to build new facilities for transportation of an added 192 million
cubic feet per day of south Louisiana gas, as sold by two producers, directly
to a Florida utility. The FPC held that the 1.5-trillioncubic-feet boiler-fuel
sale was not subject to FPC jurisdiction. The New York Public Service Commission
objected to the decision that the sale was not jurisdictional. With the prospect
of years of litigation, the producers decided to seek other markets for the
gas. In May, however, the New York Public Service Commission agreed to withdraw
opposition, thus enabling Florida Gas Transmission Co. to proceed with pipeline
plans. 
 The FPC approved an application by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. for a line
to reach 80 miles into the Gulf of Mexico, farther than any other gas pipeline.
It will deliver supplies to Tennessee's Muskrat line onshore.