Texas Vs ND Oilfields

Every time I here about 4k a week, they never know the companies name. I talked to my pal last night, he,s a salesman in ND selling supplies to oil drilling co.s , he says workers are quitting in droves. For different reasons the extreme weather, wages that don,t make it worth dealing with it. Over all he says it,s like living in hell, alot of folks have guns on them, anywhere you go everything is nasty and dirty, the roads are dangerous and crap, very slick and he drives a company 4x4 pu. For the billions that the oil co.s are making, you would think the wages would be much higher. Working on a rig pays 28.00 per hour, I grossed more in 1995 working on a big horizontal rig than these guys are making today. I got the same wage for everything, building the off road, drive the off road, rig work, mechanic, operating equipt, weld,etc. We hired a few oil rig hands from off shore oil rigs, I was shocked at what little they made. Looks like nothing has changed in the oil industy. We had to fire all the oil rig guys, they couldn,t catch on to things, alot of pretending of I don,t know how to do that. Anyway I don,t see that many ND jobs posted on craigslist anymore and most don,t have benefits. There,s more jobs in TX. and they have benefits, looks like a better place to be for a 5 year plan.

 

Texas is definitely the place to be. The oilfield service industry and the drilling are in full boom and will continue for easily the next 5-10 years. They continue to discover new oil and gas plays that are supposed to contain billions of barrels. A new one they are starting to explore in the san angelo area is supposed to be bigger than the Bakken. they're even starting to explore out toward el paso. not sure what they're finding out there, but that's the word

in my mind, the one and only drawback to texas when comparing the two is that this summer is going to be brutally hot, and that is also when the drilling is the busiest. we're going to see very long hours in sweltering heat. but i would take that any day to sub-zero temps and the conditions described in the post above me. that said, i have never been anywhere near north dakota in my life, so take this for what it's worth

 

and yeah, 4k a week is obviously B.S. keep dreamin

 

Hi kdc1899,

I have just seen this post. Could you please tell me what company you are talking about? I have a camper in Minot, I worked up there in 2011, but, the housing was super scarce. Are you still in N.D and how is the housing/camper sites situation now? I worked for a small local sand/rock co. hauling bellys. good money, but, I'm looking for something that pays more, etc. Any info. is appreciated, Thanks!

 

Texas oil jobs dont pay period. neither does OK. Ive been to both for a while, gave it a chance..... When you are used to making 500 to 550 per day in ND dropping down to 150 to 250 per day wont cut it. Quality of life? No one here in ND is here to have a quality of life. This place is a S hole! Go home if you want that. Every one i talk to here in ND is here to make money PERIOD! So then they can go home and have that "Quality of Life", There are those who come to ND to have that quality of life, go out and drink, take days off, screw off. Why come here? Stay home and screw off.... I would. Im here to make as much money in a short time as I can and haul ### back home. I guess it comes down to priorities and whats important to you in the end. Its best to go with a company who provides housing at little to no cost. There are alot of contractors and companies who wont charge housing. Some pay 1099 and some take taxes out. Be warned though, where theres alot of money to be made there are alot of scumbags to prey on good hard working people. But you will find those who will give you a good wage and keep you busy, provide a safe nice place to live and give you time to fly home to have that quality of life. Its tough as hell out here. Not for everyone thats for sure.... Hope this helps a little. God Bless

 

AROD3024, You hit the nail on the head. Find a stable N.D. company and work. Make a budget and stick to it.There are great opportunities out here also some real shoddy outfits.Yes the weather be a pain you learn real fast to adapt to it or go south. Stay safe out there.

 

Check out powerfuels.com 5 on 1 off for 3 weeks then 7 off or 5&2 5&3 no week off.Split a 2 bedroom apt with another driver $512.50 a month.hope this helps.

 

Yeah I think Power Fuels might be 1 of the better co.s out there, they have benefits and a ok truck t800. At 6/2 I have to take the visor off to see out and duck down to check the mirrors in a t800. I had my mind set on ND, but after crunching the numbers, starting in Tx. 18.00 and 21.50 in ND. That,s 297.50 difference in a 70 hr week. Texas has no st. income tax, work in ND your hit with 2 state taxes. In Teaxas they have new CH Macks with 13 sp, you,ll look forward to driving that truck everyday. Versus a beatup freightshaker that most co.s have in ND. In ND you chain up in TX. you don,t. In ND for the 7 days off, I would spend 2 days travelling, that would get old. I,m going where theres alot of women, on my days off it,ll be trips to the beach, spurs games, playing my bass guitar, dirt biking etc. I,m looking at a 5 year plan, I can handle 100 plus alot better than -25. Until ND wages go to 40.00 to start with full benefits, I,m not thinking about ND. Regardless of where you are stay safe, my pal came back from ND he slipped and fell into the truck. He got a bad concustion had a mri , the dr. will not release him to work due to 2 spots on his brain that don,t look good, broke 2 teeth , broke 2 or 3 ribs and hurt his wrist. He,s a pretty tough guy, he played D1 football years ago.

 

Those are some valid points V8........are you in the Eagle Ford or Permian ? I was talking to a buddy thats a geoligist and he said hes workin in the Cline Shale area and it was massive.A layer of oil 250 to 500 feet thick.

 

Yea...... 500 ft thick :smt078$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$