interesting bakken news:
A big concern for companies is the cost of hauling oil out of North Dakota. With a pipeline in the works, it is likely that production will pick up once more pipelines are available in early 2010. …
As companies focus on infrastructure issues and the Bakken play, the Three Forks Sanish (TFS) Formation continues to be the big unknown. …
As long as McKenzie County continues to have companies like Continental Resources, which is expanding its operation and technology in the county, oil exploration and investment should continue to rise.
“We decided to drill the first wells using our new Eco-Pad concept in McKenzie County because the opportunity presented itself,” says Jeff Hume, Continental Resources chief operating officer. “The Bakken and Three Forks wells we’ve drilled there have been successful and we think our success will continue there.”
The Eco-Pad Concept allows four wells to be drilled on one pad or location. Prior to this concept, Continental Resources needed one pad for each well it planned to drill. The company has eight additional permits pending with plans of continued drilling in McKenzie County.
“The pace of activity appears to be picking up rapidly,” adds Ness. “Landmen are working, companies are making plans to pick up more rigs and leases are beginning to expire, which creates a sense of urgency.” …
“Get ready,” says Ness. “From everything I see and hear, it’s going to get crazy busy in 2010.”
By Tina Foreman, Farmer Staff Writer
NEWS: Documentary looks at N.D. oil boom
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Bakken Play in the Media
NEWS: WSC offers classes for oil workforce
Friday, October 9, 2009
With incredibly strong demand for a skilled, trained workforce with the large energy industry in western North Dakota, the ability to provide training locally is crucial to meeting that demand.
At Williston State College, they have fully thrown themselves into making the college the place to turn to for training the energy industry workforce. Through its Train ND and continuing education programs, the college has been rapidly expanding the range of programs offered.
Deanette Piesik, executive director of Train ND and continuing education at WSC, said the programs they are currently offering are more varied than ever before and are seeing very strong enrollment so far this year. …
One reason for the high attendance is, according to Piesik, due to oil and gas companies having their employees get their training in at the end of the year. "We were starting out with high numbers at the beginning of the year. We only expect them to rise straight through to next June," said Piesik.
Piesik said there are several reasons for the continuing upswing in enrollment. Along with the possibility of more hiring going on in the area and more work in the oil fields next year, there is the new Petroleum Safety and Technology Center which opened last June. …
Some of the more basic and introductory oil and gas industry training courses include safety training and a 10 hour OSHA training class for new hires or as a refresher course.
There are also New Hire Training courses of either 24 hours or 40 hours. The 40 hour course is a pre-requisite for floorhand training for well servicing.
Piesik said there also are courses for basic first aid and CPR, defensive driving, HAZMAT, and confined space training. …
A major step the college is pursuing through the Petroleum Center is to now add more in-depth courses and not just entry level courses. …
Among these new programs are the new well-control school and commercial driver's license program. …
The commercial driver's license program takes three weeks and consists of three days of learning regulations, five days of learning backing skills and four to five days of going over Department of Transportation regulations. …
Other new courses include aerial lift training and floorhand training over at the Petroleum Center. …
She said a variety of people, from workers, employers and office workers affiliated with companies, and even lease owners have been coming in to learn basic skills.
The Train ND and Continuing Education program is located on the campus of Williston State College, 1410 University Ave., inside the Crighton Building. For more information, call 1 (866) 938-6963.
The Petroleum Safety and Technology Center is located at 421 22nd Ave. East. For more information, call (701) 572-2834.
AI
