Alden Doc Laborde
Louisiana Legends

Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Interview
Place Covered: Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2000-09-01
Duration: 00:27:20
Subjects: Laborde, Alden J. | Business | OIL INDUSTRY | GAS INDUSTRY | ODECO | Tidewater, Inc. | Offshore oil well drilling | Long, Huey Pierce, 1893-1935 | Laborde, John P. | Hannan, Philip M. (Philip Matthew), 1913-2011
Contributors:
- Weill, Gus Host
- Allen, Gary Producer
- Bush, Charles Producer
- Laborde, Alden "Doc" Interviewee
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from September 1, 2000, features an interview with Alden “Doc” Laborde conducted by Gus Weill. Laborde, a native of Marksville, designed and built the first offshore drilling platform. He is the founder of the Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company (ODECO) and a co-founder of Tidewater Marine. He discusses: growing up in Marksville; his time as a student at LSU; his memories of Governor Huey P. Long; his military career; getting involved with the oil industry with Sid Richardson; his contributions to offshore drilling; the creation of ODECO with Murphy Oil; what he credits his success to; his offshore fabrication business; the differences between he and his brother, John Laborde; and his friendship with Archbishop Philip Hannan.