Port Facts

Vessels in Port

  • Over 250 companies utilize Port Fourchon as a base of operation.
  • In addition to its huge domestic hydrocarbon significance, Port Fourchon is land base for LOOP (Louisiana Offshore Oil Port), which handles 10-15% of the nation’s domestic oil, 10-15% of the nation’s foreign oil, and is connected to 50% of US refining capacity. LOOP is the only US deepwater port capable of offloading VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) and ULCCs (Ultra Large Crude Carriers).
  • Port Fourchon currently services over 90% of the Gulf of Mexico’s deepwater oil production.
  • Overall, Port Fourchon plays a strategic role in furnishing this country with about 18% of its entire oil supply.
  • Over 400 large supply vessels traverse the port’s channels each day.
  • Approximately 15,000 people per month are flown to offshore locations supported by Port Fourchon.
  • Truck traffic studies have shown that up to 1,200 trucks per day travel in and out of Port Fourchon.
  • Over 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day are transported via pipelines through the port.
  • Five of the top ten Lafourche Parish employers operate from and/or utilize Port Fourchon.
  • Nine of the top ten Lafourche Parish taxpayers operate from and/or utilize Port Fourchon.

Oil and Gas Facts

  • The Gulf of Mexico alone provides the US with about one fifth of its domestic oil supply.
  • Over 80% of all GoM oil comes from deepwater (over 1,000 ft.).
  • Over 50% of all GoM gas comes from deepwater.
  • The US Gulf of Mexico region (including TX, LA, MS, AL, FL, & federal offshore GoM) produces nearly 40% of total US crude oil and 35% of total US natural gas.
  • Deepwater fields produce some of the highest oil rates in the Gulf of Mexico, and these rates are significantly higher off the southeast Louisiana coast.
  • Over 45% of total US petroleum refining capacity is located along the Gulf coast, as well as 51% of total US natural gas processing plant capacity.
  • In FY 2015, the total reported revenues collected by the US Department of the Interior were about $12 billion, over half of which came from mineral lease revenues in offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
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