2006-12-18

Center for Public History, University of Houston; University of Houston Libraries, University of Houston

This is an oral history interview with Ronald Dressel conducted as part of the Houston History Project. Dressel was raised on a sugar cane farm in Loreauville, LA. Started in the oil field in 1964 working for J&L Engineering, Big Mac Welding, and Avondale Ship yard. He opened his own welding business and contracted to National Supply and Texaco. In 1979, he opened Regional Fabricators at the Port of Iberia with three other welders. He runs the refurb and new construction of shallow water drilling rigs.  Company's history/significance: Began a company with a line of bank credit, low overhead, and rented a shop with a crane on Highway 90 in New Iberia during the height of the land rig/shallow water rig boom (1979). Got their name from Acadiana Regional Airport, which was thought to become a major fabrication center. After a property deal at the airport fell through, the partners moved to the Port of Iberia on the water front. Began building barges and land rigs. In 1981 and early 1982 had 150 employees. Regional built 8 rigs in 1981 at over $2 million a piece. Dressel went to Shreveport and East Texas with a crew to install completed land rigs for Butler and Johnson, while the other partners began building new rigs. Overflow of business carried them through the early "bust" into 1983. The downturn forced Regional to lay off entire work force except for a secretary and 3 welders. They survived on small boat repair work, building barbeque pits, and yard maintenance. In 1981, Regional couldn't build top-dollar rigs fast enough. A year later, a $200 job got three bids. Worse part of the bust was laying off loyal employees: "I won't go through that again--I'll close the doors next time." Regional was 30 days from shutting down. But low overhead and small jobs in diversified areas allowed them to survive. Two of the partners went back to contract welding. They changed their name from Regional Rig Fabricators to just Regional Fabricators to attract boat work. Today, Regional is one of the oldest fabricators at the Port of Iberia. Interviewer: Jason P. Theriot.

interviews

Energy development; Petroleum industry and trade; Dressel, Ronald

Port of Iberia, Louisiana

Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

University of Houston Libraries Special Collections

English

Collection
University of Houston Libraries Special Collections
Houston History Archives
Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

Preservation Location: ark:/84475/pm87375w96x