A Moment with the Mayor: Back in the Patch

One recent weekend, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Nomex coveralls working in the local oilfield. As I travelled between sites, I was reminded in a very tangible way of the influence the oil and gas industry has on the neighbours around our city and on the city itself.

Along the way, I came across warning signs for a survey crew working in the area. Not long after, survey stakes became visible throughout several fields. As I looked at the stakes, row after row, it was clear each one had been placed with purpose.

On my return trip, I passed a staging area for drilling supplies. At another location, several drilling rigs were parked and ready to go to work.

A short time later, I encountered a pair of fluid-hauling trucks, which are common sights in our region. These trucks move produced water, emulsion, or pipeline-spec oil to and from production sites, disposal wells, treating facilities, or terminals. The next truck was a pressure truck headed to a location, complete with a tank-stinger package. It was likely on its way to sting a tank with too much sand, which often collects in production tanks due to the widespread use of progressive-cavity pumps on local wells.

The following truck I met was hauling well casing to a drilling rig. Based on the pipe diameter and its origin at a local pipe yard, it appeared to be surface casing. With drilling rigs operating 24 hours a day, pipe and drilling supplies are constantly on the move at all hours.

Lastly, I passed a newly built drilling lease constructed by a local oilfield construction company. The equipment was parked nearby and the lease appeared complete.

The number of people involved in each stage of these operations varies. Some are here only briefly, while others are long-time residents, friends, and neighbours. These workers support our local economy by eating in our restaurants and staying in our hotels. The trucks they operate need fuel and servicing, which creates more work for fuel dealers and supply and service shops.

I want to express my sincere thanks to the hardworking men and women in the oil patch. Every day, they go to work supporting the production of energy that communities across our region rely on.

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers
City of Lloydminster