Who all works for OXY and Sunoco Hauling crude

Okay, so I decided to type this up while sitting on the frac pad on down time. Saved it in notes so I would not loose it while posting.

Now, the job is simple.

When the drivers show up at the yard we clock in.

If a bobtail is already at the frac site, then we drive out in a van.

The site I am training at is almost a 3 hour drive from the yard.

I have cell phone coverage through straight talk, so I piggy back off all the carriers. From what I am told, Verizon has the most coverage in the permian, then its Sprint. If Verizon is the only provider with coverage, such as the case with the location where I am training, then I don't have data access. I make calls and text all I want but even then, signal can be spotty.

I have found that by placing my phone between the visor and interior roof liner my signal becomes very strong. If my hand goes close to the phone, I loose virtually all the signal.

So, I place the phone in a standing position with the screen facing forward. This way I can make calls on speaker and read texts. Plus, when I am fueling, the phone remains available to receive calls and texts from dispatch.

The functions of the job are routine. Certain guidelines are to be followed as with any job. Safety is number one of course.

Ever company has workers who bend and break rules...I am fortunate to have been placed with a trainer who isn't wanting to cut as many corners as possible. Me being a person of personal and professional excellence, I follow suit.


When we arrive on site, we check fuel levels in our master tank and bobtail. We top off every machine. Two types of fuel
Both diesel. One is a clear diesel worthy of road use due to higher taxes, the other a dyed fuel for exclusive use by anything other than the tractor motors themselves. I am told some machines are specially get the non dyed but we don't have any on our site.


I am careful to post just any info due to any policy my employer may have, but I will try to give a basic break down.

My trainer and I strive for excellence. We wear our PPE and do what the terminal manager wants everyone. All rules are for safety and providing great service.

Once top off the machines, time to do paperwork. All we do is what ever fuel distributing company does...record all numbers.

A bobtail, for those who don't know, is what we call our fueler trucks. One solid chassis with a fixed tank which is baffeled and compartmentalised. Bulk head type but only smaller version.

They got a pair of distribution hoses. The hoses have a valve at the end just like what you got at the gas pumps. Pretty standard.

Hose is maybe 100 feet.

Frac pads have plenty of danger.
I have begun the habit of keeping a respirator on while out of the truck. Of course we got FRC's, hardhats with visors, H2S monitors, gloves, aprons blah blah blah.

The frac site I am on is not very large takes about 30 minutes to fuel up the equipment. We fuel up every time the frac crew finishes up a frac stage and top everything off before leaving including the bobtail. When the frac crew is in between stages, the pressure is lowered in the hoses so actually the danger from that aspect is minimum. We usually hustle to have it all topped off before they start their next stage.

A stage lasts maybe two hours.
I am told that as they come closer to finish, the stages get shorter.

Yesterday we finished the day and refueled maybe five times in ten hours. I clocked in at 9am, the others at 10 which is the normal time. I had to get all my safety gear.

We got back at 3am, I clocked out with 18 hours.


Today was similar.

Only difference is we got off early.

The frac crew had to change the well head and some other stuff.

Now we are on the road back to the yard. Should be back around 11PM. 10AM-11PM 13 hours.


About the company....
Almost all the companies I have seen that hi
This yard is on new clients like crazy. We fuel for all the big boys.

The company has over 30 yards in over 20 states.

 

My trainer is telling me he just started a couple months back but was working for a competitor who cut back. He enjoys a whole lot more this company. Says the equipment is better, management is better, hours and pay are better also do to his former employer cutting back.

Another trainer had told me I made a great decision, well so does my trainer too. Says I a very lucky to be coming into the company at this time. They doubled in the past six months and will double again within the year.

The assistant terminal manager on frac side, oh by the way, they got two kinds of drivers...frac and wholesale.

He told me they are killing the competition right now.

Anyway, the other trainer guy had done crude hauling. He told me this job is way better.

Okay.

Any husband and wives out there wanna run a bobtail?

It could very well be possible.

Once my wife gets here, within six to ten months, I may pitch the idea to the the terminal manager.

Oh, the terminal manager...
Now I like how this guy runs stuff.

I am impressed. Been on many jobs site for various fields of labor and I have run a couple businesses. This terminal manager is #### good at what he does!

Our company needs good people. I know many of you are hard working intelligent folk.

I do get a referral bonus for people I help bring on BUT I have to know the people.

TO THE MODERATOR...my purpose in posting this is not for getting referral bonuses. My desire is to help the company I work for find great drivers so we can stomp the competition...

Anyhow, I don't feel right about posting the name of the company here publicly.

I am more than willing to help anyone who believes they can handle the work load and pursue this company for employment.

All you got to do is ask.

Hmmm?
A little more about the hours and compensation.

The company needs local drivers.

There will be no per diem.
Not for sure about relocation assistance.

Benefits after 60 days.

The guys I am training with are getting about 120 hours a week. Seven days a week. I do understand they are flexible on hours but you will likely be expected to pull 85 hours min.

Now, this is all DOT legal. We operate on leases and private property. Wholesale guys bring out bulk fuel to the main tank.

If you want to work wholesale its DOT legal. Need 2 years experience HAZMAT and tanker.

You will be given a hair follicle test, that's ALL drivers and maybe all employees but I don't know.


Uh, so yeah.

I will help get you into HR directly to hand in a paper app.

I highly recommend filling out all the info requested...Ten year work history sect.

They will judge you right from the beginning. Its possible they figure if you can't fill out an app, you don't need to be writing fuel reports. This is a very major distributor of fuel and lubricants and they been around over 3 decades. The more professional you present your app the better.

No need for business suit, but slacks and button up shirt won't hurt. I went in with polished boots, clean blue jeans, shaved clean cut with a cap on and nice shirt. I presented resume and cover letter in a nice transparent yellow folder along with a complete application...


Any how, I doubt I will get any referral bonus cause they told me I would have had to know you, but I will help you none the less.

 

Great question Arky. Well, the guys who I am working with don't have any hours available to drive. I likely won't either.
Question I have, does driving the company shuttle van classify under DOT regulated hours?
Even if it has a linked in system that we have to log into in order to drive? The vans do work without logging in but its an issue I will ask the dispatch and managers tomorrow.

 

The dispatch is usually sending guys who got hours to change out the bobtails when the need serviced.