Helis halts La. oil ops

Helis Oil & Gas Co. abandoned its drilling operation in St. Tammany Parish, northeast of Mandeville, on Sept. 20 after a lengthy review of geologic and engineering data from an exploratory well. The decision halts Phase II that would have involved hydraulic fracturing. Helis intends to abandon the well and secure the site in accordance with regulatory requirements and its leases, according to a company statement. Tuesday's decision brought an abrupt end to 30 month controversy over the project, including numerous court hearings and passionate public meetings that many residents opposed on the grounds of environmental concerns and the unwanted industrialization of the parish. (Source: Times-Picayune 09/20/16)