will be in a tight market, and we may remain in a tight market for some time.” He noted the lack of investment in the industry for the better part of the last decade has made for tight markets. Additionally, poor political decision-making and vilification of the energy industry has made for a lack of infrastructure and underinvestment in global energy infrastructure. “Unfortunately, outside of the U.S. and Canada, we have $200-300 oil equivalent prices for natural gas. This is awful. This is the market today. That isn’t a resource issue; it’s an infrastructure issue.” Wright also worries about the geopolitical implications on the market and energy affordability. “If we lose oil globally, if Russia can’t find a home for its oil exports, if Libya doesn’t get back into shape, Nigeria declines further, if we have any upset in Iraqi oil production, all of these could drive $200 oil, which is not good for the world,” he said. But for the first time in almost a decade, the supply and demand favors energy services. “The biggest concern I hear from customers today is not necessarily price, they just want the services. They may have four rigs and need two frack fleets and they just want to make sure those wells get fracked. The service sector is moving into a much healthier place.”
Employees are Great Ambassadors
As Wright has emerged as a great advocate for the industry, he recognizes that he can’t carry the standard alone. He urges people who work in the industry to tell their story – the story they know – and be proud of it. “People should speak up more,” he said. “Speak to your neighbors. Speak to what you know about.” But its not just the employees who should speak up. Leadership must also empower their employees to be ambassadors. “If someone is going to drive hard and work hard for your company every day, (as a leader) you better take the effort to engage them in the broader role their work has, what’s the impact on the country on
this community and on this world. You must bring that message (to the workforce). It is so uplifting, it’s so inspiring, and it is true,” he said. “Everyone wants to change the world, and we are one of the few industries that really does change the world. Many people don’t know, they don’t hear it and they need to. If they know the impact of the work, they will be proud and they will tell others.”
Actions Make a Difference
In addition to becoming vocal ambassadors for the industry, Wright noted the energy workforce is already spreading positivity throughout their communities by being good citizens. One example he noted is when Boulder County, north of Denver, experienced devastating flooding throughout their community, Liberty employees did not hesitate and raced to their assistance. “This is a community that is not supportive of our industry. Many yards have anti-frac signs in the front. But when they were in need, we had crews with our busses in the community bringing people food and water, cleaning out damaged homes and helping people out of harm’s way.” “This is what our workforce is about, neighbor helping neighbor,” Wright said. “Even when that community may have been vilifying us yesterday, today they were in need, and we were there for them.” Wright is also proud of the workforce at Liberty Energy. He has a simple message to other leaders as they work to build their workforce – find the people who are going to help you succeed. “I have a dirt-simple principle: how are you going to win? You want to pick players on the team that care about what they do. That believe in what they do,” he said. “We want you to move the ball forward. We don’t tell people when to get to work, when to leave work, how to take their days off. We do want people in the office, but we have always had a flexible schedule. We want people to get the work done but we aren’t going to shepherd over you. So, we find great humans who love what they do and then empower them.” WellServicingMagazine.com
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