PIPELINE NEWS December 2011
Great Plains Drilling sees
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Story and photo by Brian Zinchuk Cole Butler loads one-kilogram sticks of dynamite into each shot hole
Cudworth – Certain communities seem to become drawing points for certain types of workers. Hanley is known for its pipeliners, while Manor has long been a source of drilling hands, and indeed, drilling company management. But Cudworth, northeast of Saskatoon, has its own claim to fame – it’s home to seismic drillers. Among them is Great Plains Drilling Ltd., a family operation that over years of consolidation has become the largest in Saskatchewan. It’s owned and operated by the Hauber family. Indeed, the entire clan is involved in the operation. Gary Hauber heads it up, while his wife Sharon is office manager. Each of their three children and their spouses are involved, too. Daughter Sharon Hackl is the safety co-ordinator while her husband Ian Hackl runs a drill. Son Dustin Hauber is a drill push while his wife Amanda handles human resources. Jason Hauber, the third sibling, is also a drill push, and his wife Cindy does books. “The whole family – that’s all of us,” said Gary. “I’ve been doing this since 1979 with my brother. In 1988, we split up, and I started Great Plains Drilling,” Garry said. His brother operates Double H Drilling, but Gary has since bought out most of Double H, with his brother still operating his own drill. Indeed, there were many small operations based in Cudworth, but the burden of regulation, particularly on the safety end, has led to consolidation, according to Gary. They’ve bought out quite a few of the smaller one-and two-drill operations in town. Many of those operators now subcontract under Great Plains. He noted its harder for small operators to keep up with all the safety audits, especially if you’ve only got one drill. The company has approximately 70 people in its employ. “You’ve got to look after your people. I can have 25 drills in the yard, but without the people, you’re nothing,” Gary said. Asked how so many seismic drillers ended up coming from Cudworth, he said people noticed there was money to be made, and got into it. “It has been a good living. I’ve got my whole family involved.” ɸ Page B6
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