History of Louisiana’s Oil Industry in Morgan City

Morgan City, Louisiana is on the map because of two principal industries - shrimping and oil. Founded in 1860 along the mighty Atchafalaya River, Morgan City had become a successful port city and a thriving fishing and shrimping community. On November 14, 1947, Morgan City's "black gold rush" began and the city gained national recognition when a Kerr-McGee Industries experimental offshore oil rig struck oil on the Gulf of Mexico - the first successful offshore oil well out of sight of land. This event marked the founding of the offshore oil industry, which is vital to the security and natural resources of the United States. According to The Times Picayune, “it was the most significant discovery to date.”

Oil Industry Shrimp and Petroleum Best Western Morgan City Museum & Exposition

Louisiana’s Thriving Off-Shore Oil Industry. In the last 60 years, the offshore petroleum industry has become a major sector of the economy of Morgan City - once on the forefront of the off-shore oil movement on the Gulf. Today offshore drilling produces 16% percent of the world’s oil, and more than 6% of the world's natural gas. The petroleum products industry is of extraordinary importance to the economies of Louisiana and the nation.  [Top]

Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Morgan City celebrates its shrimp and petroleum industry with the annual Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, held every Labor Day weekend in the Morgan City historic district. Called the jumbo shrimp capitol of the world in 1937, Morgan City created the first Louisiana Shrimp Festival, the state's oldest chartered harvest festival, to insure a bountiful harvest and celebrate the fleet with Cajun dance. When the "black gold rush" marked a new era in Morgan City’s prosperity a decade later, petroleum was added to the 4-day festival.  [Top]

International Petroleum Museum & Exposition in Morgan City, LA. Along the Morgan City Riverfront, the International Petroleum Museum & Exposition is the only place in the world where you can walk aboard an authentic offshore drilling rig. The historic drilling rig “Mr. Charlie” - a submersible drilling platform - is the centerpiece of this oily attraction, as well as a training facility for the offshore oil industry. Built in 1952 and retired in 1986, Mr. Charlie was the first off-shire rig to drill in the Gulf of Mexico. Learn about the oil industry, the functions of the oil rig and tales about the industry’s beginnings on a one-hour tour. Visit www.rigmuseum.com.  [Top]