Why So Glum Chum?

As I sit here on this desolate well site waiting for my cross shift to show, I often wonder why I or anyone chooses this occupation…this lifestyle.

The fellas at Xtra Energy are a close bunch. They always seem to enjoy going off to the field to do an excellent job for the customer. That’s where some of their good friends are. They are always excited and proud to flow back some giant wells, and be part of something substantial. Of course they are paid well and I know they have to work to provide, but they always seem to enjoy the work.

So what’s the worry?

Being close to the guys working at Xtra I watch as they have grown a bit older, got married and now starting to have kids and grow their family. I start to see a different group and see the challenges of being separated from their families. Kids grow and experience many firsts. friends are doing activities, going to events, enjoying some freedom and the wife is maintaining the fort, family and keeping busy to fill the void of her husband being away for extended periods of time. It’s not the dream life anyone wants.

I commend those who do this for a living. I do it for a living.
I’m married.
No kids.
I feel the same sorrow.
I look back at how much time I’ve put into this career, the good times, the bad times, missed opportunities, bad choices. One things is for sure though. Family should come first, and I hope the challenges faced with this industry will always help those in it go home safe and to happy loving family.

I mean why else do we choose to work in the energy industry other than to give a better life to our family?

Proposed B.C. LNG project worth $40 billion

Where and why some middle-class American families are actually getting giant raises

Frack Off!?

Fracking…It’s not the new ‘F’ word, but saying it definitely can put the same offended look on many peoples faces.

What is it?

Hydraulic fracturing is a well-stimulation technique in which rock is fractured by a hydraulically pressurized liquid. A high-pressure fluid (usually chemicals and sand suspended in water) is injected into a wellbore to create cracks in the deep-rock formations through which natural gas, petroleum, and brine will flow more freely. When the hydraulic pressure is removed from the well, small grains of hydraulic fracturing proppants (either sand or aluminium oxide) hold the fractures open once the deep rock achieves geologic equilibrium. -Wikipedia defined

Why is it perceived as being so bad?

Many issues lean towards health and environmental damages and contamination of ground water, the mass depletion of fresh water from rivers and creeks, air pollution, and a potential link to the triggering of earthquakes.

Now an alternative that has been developed is fracking using propane gas instead of water. This technology has been around for a few years, offered by one specific company. Unfortunately the “more environmentally friendly” approach is not receiving the amount of interest the company hoped, and they too will have to resort to the old fashioned water abusing ways every other stimulation company offers. That unfortunately is the cost of business, just look at the GM debacle with their ignition systems!

They say you can’t put a value on a life…

Well, as a business, we know you need to make money to stay in business. We try and do our part in this industry by offering  products and designs that lessens the emissions footprint this industry leaves, but like some innovations, not everyone is going to choose what society wants and needs over profits.

Fracking Ban Passes In 2 Of 3 California Counties

Oil price slump yet to hit US shale oil production: IEA chief

Nova Scotia concludes fracking waste study

5 Energy Saving tips to reduce energy usage

Shaz30's thought of the day

I work for an energy company and as a result I often get asked about how to save money on your energy bills. I did spend nearly a year advising people on how to reduce their bills within their homes by reducing consumption so I am well placed to write a blog post about it for Big Energy Saving week. Saving energy is very important in reducing our energy bills and reducing the effects of climate change. When I was visiting homes offering advice I used to be continuously shocked about how wasteful people were with their energy usage. Fuel poverty is a real problem that affects millions of people. Using energy more efficiently can help reduce fuel poverty.

Here are five energy saving tips that can make a big difference to your energy usage.

1) Use your heating only when you need it
Biggest Mistake
Leaving the heating on…

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Why cooler weather last week didn’t push natural gas prices up

The Subculture of Alberta and the Oilfield

lifeontheline

If you live in Canada, chances are you know someone who has worked in the oil and gas industry. Fathers, uncles, brothers, boyfriends, etc. Some have been working there for years, others will go and do their “time”, make enough money and vow never to return. Anyone returning from the “patch”, will always have outlandish tales to regale their friends and family with.

Until you have witnessed it with your very eyes, you will never quite understand the oilfield. With contrast to the larger culture across Canada, the pipeline subculture is not openly known unless you are within the circle of the workers. You have heard the stories but you probably couldn’t differentiate between a pipeline, tar sands, and a rig. You probably call anyone who works in the oil and gas industry a “rig pig”. Although inaccurate, you are pretty close with that description. The industry is generally composed…

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