Texas Vs ND Oilfields

There pay STINKS in ND, they are constantly training new hands nobody stays there very long,I have spoken with a few of there drivers at disposal sites .

 

yes check out powerfuels 5days on 1 off x 3 then 7days off.

 

Pay varies by yard. It's usually between $15-$16 per hour with a $1.50 raise after 3 or 6 months. Not great, but fairly competitive with the larger oil service companies. I'm unaware of any company housing, at least not in West TX. They seem to have a lackluster reputation in ND, but are pretty well respected in their home state of TX. I've been with them for 10 months now.

 

That would be a way to get your foot in the door, into the oil industy. At 15-16.00 per hour that,s a little low, not saying I wouldn,t work for that though. I would just think about the over time pay.

 

Key is old school. You start at the bottom . My next door neighbor's nephew started in Midland 10-15 yrs ago sweeping floors in shop. Took classes they offered and payed for. Went where they asked him and now makes well into 6 figures. Just asked to go run entire Venezuela operation. They are getting out I guess as Chavez has nationalized it all. Want to start in executive suite in oil patch better have some really good engineering or geologist degree. But you can move up to that money if you work hard.

 

I've hauled frac sand in both places driving through a foot or more of snow down a lease road in the middle of the night at 20 below is no fun. It is interesting, but not fun. That was 4 years ago when rates were $116 an hr. to the thuck. Don't know what rates are now, but from what I hear no wheres near that. I'll stay south cost of living is lower and there's lots more to do and not near as hard to find housing. Good luck choose wisely

 

There are a many variables to the answer. I think several of you have covered this topic very well. I work for a company that hire's Owner Operators and we have operations in Texas, CO and ND so I'm quite familiar with how things work in each of these places. The rates generally are better in ND, but EVERYTHING costs more. Fuel, food, rent you name it. ND is the place to be if you want to work for somebody, are single and can live a very spartan lifestyle. If you can do this you can make a lot of money and put it in the bank.

From the perspective of an Owner Operator this isn't necessarily the case. I think all three have their merits. ND rates are generally higher, but that gap is closing. All you have to do is drive around ND and you can see water trucks, frac trucks and crude trucks sitting around. This wasn't the case 12 months ago. Rates are still very good, but as an Owner Operator fuel is more expensive (50 cents per gallon on average), Shop rates are higher and it takes longer to get anything fixed. You also have to pay your employee's more. The workforce up there is very fluid, people come and go quickly so many companies aren't offering relocation assistance without solid contracts in place. They've been burned too many times.

Colorado has good steady work, moderate pay rates and doesn't quite have the hustle and bustle that ND and parts of TX have. Fuel is reasonable, housing is reasonable. Weather can be tough in the winter, but not anything like ND.

Texas is much like Colorado, but has more of a boom feeling to it. Everybody's in a hurry. However, services and amenities are usually reasonably priced. There's plenty of work there and should be for some time into the future.

Bottom line: If you are single and want to make a ton of money by living very frugally go to ND. If you have a family look at TX, CO (or OK & KS) for that matter. If you don't mind a little winter go with CO. If you love the heat go with Texas. Much of the work is very similar in both places.

 

In your opinion, are CO rates on par with West TX or are they lower. My wife and I are very interested in leaving Midland for CO. If rates are lower I would hope the cost of living is to. We're paying $1300 per month for 2/1 apartment in Midland.

 

It seems to me they are about the same, maybe slightly less. I know my company's rates to Owner Operators are pretty close. I'm really not sure about housing. I think both areas are fairly reasonable.

 

Would you know of anyone hiring in the CO or OK area?
Looking to relocate-
Thanks