Featured Articles

COVER STORY

Concerned About Fuel Costs?

By: Mark Crawford
July/August 2010

Putting costs without cutting performance is the number-one challenge in this economy. For most companies, after payroll, the next most expensive cost center is fuel. Unlike payroll, however, oilfield service companies have better options for saving money on fuel consumption.

CURRENT FEATURES

Social Network

By: Phillip M. Perry
July/August 2010

As the graying members of the energy sector edge closer to retirement, an entire generation of new workers is stepping in to take their place, creating in the interim, a complex and complicated inter-generational workforce. This workforce includes Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964; Generation X’ers who entered the world between 1964 and 1982; and the trickling in each year of Gen Y’ers, born between 1980 and 1995.

Oil Spill Prompts Deluge of Legislation

By: Kristin Van Veen-Hincke/Vikki Cooper & Associates
July/August 2010

Just days after the BP accident began dumping crude oil into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Washington lawmakers have addressed the problem by introducing a deluge of bills proposing everything from honoring those lost in the incident to temporarily suspending oil drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.

Managing Worst Case Scenarios

By: Sharyn Alden
July/August 2010

If you’ve ever gone through a crisis in your operation, 20- 20 hindsight definitely helps should the same event ever happen again. But there’s far more to crisis management than applying what you may have learned in the past.

Gulf Blowout Shifts Political Climate

By: Richard Mason
July/August 2010

The backlash of the Macondo well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico appears to have washed all the way to the Rockies, as evidenced by the daily news shows in Colorado Springs carrying a steady feed of oil industry executives, including CEO Tony Haywood, testifying before angry Congressional panels. So it was little surprise that the Macondo well blowout — and its potential repercussions — was Topic Number One in conversations among oil and gas operators attending the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) summer meeting there.

Oil Scouts Analyze the Pulse of E&P Activity

By: Andy Maslowski
July/August 2010

Oil scouts no longer have to spy on isolated rigs, counting stacked pipe to get an idea of how deep a well has been drilled. They no longer have to go to restaurants, bars or petroleum clubs frequented by oilfield workers to overhear conservations about new field activity or leasing plays.

Health Care Reform Legislation

By: Karen Vines/IMA of Kansas
July/August 2010


The March 23 passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act represents a sweeping change to the nation’s health care system. Now that the legislation has passed, it’s time to understand the impact to your business and your employee benefits program. Consider a measured approach, and keep your strategy focused on the long-haul.

The Voice of Colorado Oil and Gas Association

By: Al Pickett
July/August 2010

When Tisha Schuller speaks to civic clubs and other organizations in Colorado, she tells them they need to focus on four reasons why everyone should love natural gas.

Falcon Rigs – Surviving the Best and Worst of Times

By: Al Pickett
July/August 2010

Ray Priess, president, and Brian Smith, vice-president, of Falcon Rigs Inc., say their company has a simple philosophy. “Our mission statement, if you will,” Priess points out, “is to furnish a well-built piece of equipment to serve our customers’ needs for many years.”

State Regulatory Issues

By: Andy Maslowski
July/August 2010

You can still find some friendly oil and gas communities underneath the spacious skies and above the fruited plains of America. Yes, they’re still out there!

Fly With Pride

By: Chuck Tholen
July/August 2010

Several weeks ago I was talking with the editor of Well Servicing magazine and she told me that she was planning to show an American flag on the magazine’s cover. That was all the inspiration I needed for this article.

Association News

July/August 2010

AESC Insurance Trust of New Mexico

We are pleased to announce the formation of the AESC Insurance Trust of New Mexico, a workers’ compensation group self-insurance trust sponsored by AESC.

Industry Items

July/August 2010

Greene’s Energy has new Wastewater Treatment Division

Greene’s Energy Group announces its new Wastewater Treatment Division, which specializes in portable wastewater treatment equipment and services for the oil and gas pipeline industries. It is the industry’s first truly modular linear flow bulk media (LFBM) filter system that provides superior performance with increased flow rates and loading capacities over traditional bulk bed and radial flow designs.