Drillers want to train 5,000 new workers

[TransitJohn]

By DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER
Star-Tribune energy reporter Saturday, January 22, 2005




Natural gas drillers have more work than workers in Wyoming and Colorado, and they're looking to recruit more than 5,000 new employees.

A group of drilling contractors will invest more than $1 million to set up a new drilling rig training program in Casper. Drillers say their crews are short-handed and working overtime. Despite a $22.50-per-hour starting wage, it's difficult to attract new employees who are free of drugs and are qualified to do the work.

"We've already pulled everybody available in the Rockies who want to work for us. What's left available now either don't want to work for us or they can't stay off the drugs," said Bill Sauer Jr. of Unit Rig Drilling in Casper.

"So we decided to go with the training center. Put a rig out there, train people who know nothing about it, and get them into our industry," Sauer said.

The group already has hired qualified instructors. It will also hire professional recruiters to target returning military personnel and people in eastern states where unemployment is high.

Initially, the training program will focus on deep drilling rigs that are in high demand in the Jonah Field and Pinedale Anticline in western Wyoming. Developers in that region aim to drill hundreds of new wells in the coming years.


more.......
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2005/01/22/news/7ceb1e3026aeaa3387256f9100099529.txt


I work in the industry (geologist), and as a life long resident of Wyoming, I haven't seen this much activity since the late '70s, early '80s. Guess I'll make enough to pay off the student loans.

[UL_Approved]

1. Major gas boom

This speaks to the growth:

The number of active rigs jumped by 50 percent in the Pinedale Anticline last summer, according to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Industry leaders expect the drilling increase to continue in 2005 as well.

This kind of thing happened 2-3 years ago in Montana, and still continues to date.

Natural gas is replacing petroleum in the power industry due to the highly efficient gas turbines that GE created. Its also easier to process the natural gas. Where I live in Northcentral Montana, there are three large refineries within 50 miles of my house, and all are out in the absolute middle of nowhere. There aren't houses for miles in every direction from them. They require little labor to maintain which causes very little publicity about them. This is the hidden extraction industry in our nation. Its far more pervasive than oil, and is much more secretive.

[UL_Approved]

2. An added thought:

I wonder if this timing has to do with talks about a pullout from Iraq:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1396221,00.html?gusrc=rss">US and UK look for early way out of Iraq

The U.S. will need energy sources if we lose the Iraqi holdings. Prepare for the retreat...

[TransitJohn]

4. As I stated above

I work in the industry here in my home state of Wyoming. There are so many rigs all over the state it is almost surreal. The Pinedale Anticline they mentioned (the Mesa) is being heavily developed, and is a major big game migration corridor. See---------> www.uppergreen.org

[Wright Patman]

3. What an insult to the returning troops

In essence, they are saying (and this is how oil industry execs think in many cases), "Okay, moron, you were too incompetent to effectuate a smooth takeover of the Iraqi oil. Now let's see if at least you can help us extract what little petroleum is left in the lower 48."

[LosinIt]

5. Thank God for drug-testing! Keeping America safe!

They can't find people who want to live in the Rockies who don't smoke pot, my heart fuckin' bleeds. And did you know that Hooters also drug-tests? Don't you feel safer now?

[donsu]

6. Halliburton just got huge contract with Iran to drill for gas

the bushgang has fingers clutching gas land in eastern europe

hey, it's peak oil - the oil/gas/water barons have a hard-on war going.