PIPELINE NEWS December 2011
A7
Getting by, but just barely, for many local operators ɺ Page A3 For a 20-day well in the winter, it can take up to 60,000 or even 70,000 litres of diesel for that one drilling rig. As of Nov. 16, there were 102 drilling rigs operating in Saskatchewan. Another driller, Weyburn-based Panther Drilling, had to shut down one of its three rigs for nine hours for fear of running out before the fuel truck got there in the morning. Panther general manager Jim Kopec said two rigs had good supply as of Nov. 15, but the third, not so much. “We didn’t want to get caught in the hole,” he said. “This was more of a caution. “We’re watching our fuel supply and running boilers as necessary.” As for consumption, he said, “We’re probably anywhere from 2,500 to 3,500 litres per day per rig. If you were doing a lot of tripping, with the boiler, it can be as high as 4,500 litres per day.” Panther is supplied by Weyburn-based Mazenc Fuels and Girard Bulk Services. He spoke highly of both, saying, “They’ve stood with their customers.” Ralph French, president of R French Transport of Forget, noted they have had to turn down jobs due to the shortage. He said, “We are getting it from where we can. We deal with two fuel suppliers, so get can get 300 litres each. “So far, we’ve managed through it.” The company draws from Co-op and Girard Bulk. Girard has been delivering fuel for their frac heaters. “He’s keeping me as supplied as much as he possibly can,” French said of Girard. When asked if they’ve had problems with the shortage, Dion Reafhor, dispatcher with Spearing Service LP in Oxbow, said, “Not really. We’ve been fine.” For their shorter haul runs, 300 litres is sufficient. Longer hauls into the U.S. fuel up south of the border. Weyburn’s Jerry Mainil Ltd. runs a lot of thirsty heavy equipment and trucks. However, they were keeping up. Dennis Mainil, said “So far we’re running business as usual. It shouldn’t be a problem, I hope.” Carson Energy Services, a division of Flint Energy Services, has noticed the shortage. Glen Miller, assistant general manager for southeast Saskatchewan, said it had affected them in certain circumstances. “We’ve gotten by here. We get it shipped in bulk. We’ve just got to be careful with how we do on the usage.
PEACE, HOPE, LOVE, JOY Wishing you every happiness this holiday season. We truly value your business and look forward to your continued support.
LAND SERVICES LTD.
Brad Lane, President
2010 7th Avenue Regina, Saskatchewan Phone: 306-775-3415 Email: ofÀce@laneland.net www.laneland.net
It’s Been Our Pleasure Serving You! Happy holidays and many thanks for your kind patronage this past year.
Halbrite Service Centre 306-458-2419
Finding diesel fuel can be a challenge, with many cardlocks out of service in November due to the diesel shortage. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Estevan-based L&C Trucking’s Blair Hunter said of fuel suppliers, “It’s sporadic. At any given time, any one of them can run out. A couple of times, there was no fuel. “We keep a couple of slip tanks just in case. That’s to get someone back, not to go out. “We had a truck in Regina that was coming home from Edmonton. It took two hours to get fuel, waiting in line at the Husky.” Hunter pointed out the shortage was everywhere,
and demand will rise as rigs need fuel to operate boilers. While the common ration has been 300 litres per truck per day, that’s not nearly enough for typical usage. “A typical truck would run 450 litres per day,” Hunter said. “That’s an eight-hour day, five miles per gallon. That’s an average day, not a heavy day.” When “busy, busy,” a truck on a 14 hour day can consume as much as 700 litres, he said.
An Estevan Geothermal POWER Investment Opportunity A presentation by former resident, Kirsten Marcia (Muir), P.Geo., President and CEO of DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. Location: The Days Inn When: Sunday, December 11, 11:45 am (lunch will be provided) Monday, December 12, 11:45 am (lunch will be provided) Monday, December 12, 7:30 pm (bar service)
Please RSVP by December 9th to Jolene at (306) 651-5181 or jwatson@hcfm.ca
You are invited to an investment presentation for DEEP’s geothermal power project targeted near Estevan. The success of this project will not only be a huge win for the green renewable energy sector, but also put Estevan on the “global map” for being Canada’s first major successful geothermal power project. The project will exploit the heat contained in the deep hot aquifers of the Williston Basin through conventional drilling and convert the heat to electricity for sale to SaskPower, using “off-the shelf” turbine technology.