Oil production was up 1.8 % last year! the first increase in years, even without the new oil finds. With the announcements by Conoco, Caelus Energy, Armstrong and others, this trend should continue, although it will take a few years to ramp up their production.  Also, it would be beneficial for readers to know the revenue numbers for what the state and localities receive in royalties (12.25%), corporate income tax, property tax, etc.  As for Spenard, I see no signs of "gentrification".  There is some new housing replacing decrepit housing stock and some new small businesses, but no one is being displaced that I can see.