December 2014

For Environmental & Support Service Professionals

BAKKEN EXTRA:Ministry serves oilfield workers in many ways

PAGE 18

EYE ON THE INDUSTRY:Emergency crews prepare for the worst

PAGE 58

www.GOMCmag.com | DECEMBER 2014

TM

C COMPANY PROVES ITS VALUE TO BAKKEN CLIENTELE BY PROVIDING YEAR-ROUND SERVICES AND UNWAVERING SAFETY PRACTICES PAGE 12

THE COLDConquering

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Pressure Washers, Replacement Engines, Pumps, Parts & Accessories

WaterCannon.com 1.800.333.WASH (9274)

Industry Trained StaffWater Cannon is proud to be a

MWBE

YEARS OF SERVICE

Orlando | Phoenix | Minneapolis | Hattiesburg | Melbourne | Toronto | BogotaInternational: 1-321-800-5763 ext.115

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ZZLE

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TRIGGER 4K

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5000 PSI & REEL

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HYDROEXCAVATION WANDS

ALL SIZES AND FLOWS

TRIGGER 5K

$24.99

DRAIN CLEANER

$1,299

UP TO 20 GPM

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SURFACE CLEANER

$299

HOT WATER

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ROLL CAGE FRAMES

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DIESEL HOT WATER

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QC 4 PACK

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4 GOMC www.gomcmag.com - DECEMBER 2014

BOOTH3122

contentsfeatures12 CONTRACTOR PROFILE: CONQUERING THE COLD C Company proves its value to Bakken clientele by providing year-round services and unwavering safety practices. - Cory Dellenbach

26 WWETT SPOTLIGHT: CROSSOVER APPEAL Premier Oilfield Equipments partnership with Caterpillar on full display with versatile hydrovac unit. - Craig Mandli 36 PRODUCT FOCUS: HYDROEXCAVATION AND EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT, BULK STORAGE SOLUTIONS - Craig Mandli

44 CASE STUDIES: HYDROEXCAVATION AND EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT, BULK STORAGE SOLUTIONS - Craig Mandli

COMING IN JANUARY 2015ISSUE FOCUS:

Truck and Tank Parts/Components, Hand & Power Tools

n Contractor Profile: Green Energy Oilfield Services, Fairfield, TX

n Canadian Extra: New group hopes to shine better light on industry

departments8 EDITORS NOTEBOOK: WINTER WEATHER SAFETY Remember to dress yourself and your equipment properly for the winter months. - Cory Dellenbach 10 @GOMCMAG.COM Clips and quotes from the best of our exclusive online content.

18 BAKKEN EXTRA: HELPING THOSE IN NEED Bakken Oil Rush Ministry serving oilfield workers in many ways. - Cory Dellenbach

22 TECH PERSPECTIVE: KEEP MOVING Maintaining dewatering pumps goes a long way. - Joe Moser

46 CANADIAN EXTRA: RIG FINDER PetroFeed app helps industry officials locate and track Canadian drill rigs and wells. - Cory Dellenbach

50 PRODUCT NEWS Product Spotlight: Mats provide pathway, platforms for heavy equipment. - Ed Wodalski 56 INDUSTRY NEWS

58 EYE ON THE INDUSTRY: PREPARING FOR THE WORST States, industry getting involved in training emergency responders for train derailments, oil spills. - Cory Dellenbach 60 CALENDAR

63 SAFETY FIRST: NOT A SIMPLE CHOICE The proper work-specific gloves a key part of staying safe on the job. - Doug Day

DECEMBER 2014

on the coverC Company General Man-ager Dave Long, Director of Operations Darrin Kit-telson and Owner Seth Church stand in front of a 2014 Super Products Mud Dog in their yard in Willis-ton, N.D. (Photography by Shawna Gooch-Egge)

12

36

46

www.facebook.com/GOMCmag

www.twitter.com/GOMCmag

www.plus.google.com

www.youtube.com/GOMCmag

www.linkedin.com/company/gas-oil-&-mining-contractor

Get Social with GOMCFor Environmental & Support Service Professionals


PAGE 18


PAGE 58


TM


THE COLDConquering


BOOTH3122

contentsfeatures12 CONTRACTOR PROFILE: CONQUERING THE COLD C Company proves its value to Bakken clientele by providing year-round services and unwavering safety practices. - Cory Dellenbach

26 WWETT SPOTLIGHT: CROSSOVER APPEAL Premier Oilfield Equipments partnership with Caterpillar on full display with versatile hydrovac unit. - Craig Mandli 36 PRODUCT FOCUS: HYDROEXCAVATION AND EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT, BULK STORAGE SOLUTIONS - Craig Mandli

44 CASE STUDIES: HYDROEXCAVATION AND EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT, BULK STORAGE SOLUTIONS - Craig Mandli

COMING IN JANUARY 2015ISSUE FOCUS:

Truck and Tank Parts/Components, Hand & Power Tools

n Contractor Profile: Green Energy Oilfield Services, Fairfield, TX

n Canadian Extra: New group hopes to shine better light on industry

departments8 EDITORS NOTEBOOK: WINTER WEATHER SAFETY Remember to dress yourself and your equipment properly for the winter months. - Cory Dellenbach 10 @GOMCMAG.COM Clips and quotes from the best of our exclusive online content.

18 BAKKEN EXTRA: HELPING THOSE IN NEED Bakken Oil Rush Ministry serving oilfield workers in many ways. - Cory Dellenbach

22 TECH PERSPECTIVE: KEEP MOVING Maintaining dewatering pumps goes a long way. - Joe Moser

46 CANADIAN EXTRA: RIG FINDER PetroFeed app helps industry officials locate and track Canadian drill rigs and wells. - Cory Dellenbach

50 PRODUCT NEWS Product Spotlight: Mats provide pathway, platforms for heavy equipment. - Ed Wodalski 56 INDUSTRY NEWS

58 EYE ON THE INDUSTRY: PREPARING FOR THE WORST States, industry getting involved in training emergency responders for train derailments, oil spills. - Cory Dellenbach 60 CALENDAR

63 SAFETY FIRST: NOT A SIMPLE CHOICE The proper work-specific gloves a key part of staying safe on the job. - Doug Day

DECEMBER 2014

on the coverC Company General Man-ager Dave Long, Director of Operations Darrin Kit-telson and Owner Seth Church stand in front of a 2014 Super Products Mud Dog in their yard in Willis-ton, N.D. (Photography by Shawna Gooch-Egge)

12

36

46

www.facebook.com/GOMCmag

www.twitter.com/GOMCmag

www.plus.google.com

www.youtube.com/GOMCmag

www.linkedin.com/company/gas-oil-&-mining-contractor

Get Social with GOMCFor Environmental & Support Service Professionals


PAGE 18


PAGE 58


TM


THE COLDConquering


Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show

Indiana Convention Center

www.wwettshow.com

EDUCATION DAY: Feb. 23, 2015 EXHIBITS OPEN: Feb. 24 - 26, 2015

Advertiser Index DECEMBER 2014

ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp. ......................................24

American Clutch & Equipment Co. ...................................49

American Jetter .....................................................................................61

Armstrong Equipment, Inc. .......................................................64

C Company Oilfield Services ........................................................6

Canary, LLC ................................................................................................45

ClearSpan Fabric Structures ........................................................61

Comforts of Home Services, Inc. ...........................................23

Consolidated Fabricators ..............................................................28

Dragon Products Ltd. ..........................................................................7

Eldred Environmental & Export Co. LTD ...........................55

Found It Now ..........................................................................................61

Fruitland Manufacturing. ..............................................................48

GapVax, Inc. ..................................................................................................3

Granite Seed and Erosion Control.........................................49

Harrison Truck Centers ....................................................................21

Hot Jet USA ...............................................................................................61

Hydra-Flex, Inc. ......................................................................................34

Insulation Snakes .................................................................................61

J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers .............................................................53

Jetstream of Houston ......................................................................19

Lifting Gear Hire Corporation ....................................................34

Masport, Inc. ............................................................................................28

Master Pumps & Power .................................................................................59

Moro USA, Inc. ...........................................................................................5

Northeast Industrial Mfg................................................................59

NTEA ...............................................................................................................43

Premier Oilfield Equipment ........................................................49

Pressure Lift Corporation ...............................................................34

Skycasters ...................................................................................................15

Snap-on Industrial Brands ............................................................25

Super Products LLC ............................................................................11

TranswestOilfield Truck Equipment ..............................47

TMW Systems .........................................................................................27

Ultra Shore .................................................................................................55

United Rentals ...........................................................................................9

Vac-Con, Inc. ............................................................................................29

Vacall - Gradall Industries ..............................................................20

Vactor Manufacturing ......................................................................35

Vacuum Sales, Inc. ...............................................................................54

Vanair Manufacturing, Inc. ..........................................................23

Volvo Construction Equipment ..............................................17

Water Cannon, Inc. ..................................................................2 & 61


Published monthly by:

1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd., PO Box 220

Three Lakes, WI 54562

www.GOMCMag.com

In U.S. or Canada call toll-free 800-257-7222

Elsewhere call 715-546-3346

Email: [email protected]: www.gomcmag.com

Fax: 715-546-3786

Office hours Mon- Fri.,7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CST

Copyright 2014 COLE Publishing Inc.No part may be reproduced without

permission of the publisher.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: A one year (12 issue) subscription to GOMC in the United States or Canada is free to qualified subscribers. A qualified subscriber is any company or individual who maintains, services or supports land-based gas, oil or mining operations in North America. Non-qualified subscriptions are available at a cost of $60 per year in the United States and $120 per year outside of the United States. To qualify visit www.gomcmag.com/qualify or send company name, mailing address, phone number and check or money order (U.S. funds payable to COLE Publishing Inc.) to the address above. MasterCard, VISA and Discover are also accepted. Supply credit card information with your subscription order.

Our subscriber list is occasionally made available to carefully selected companies whose prod-ucts or services may be of interest to you. Your privacy is important to us. If you prefer not to

be a part of these lists, please contact Nicole at [email protected].

DISPLAY ADVERTISING: Contact Tim at 800-994-7990 or [email protected]. Publisher reserves the right to reject advertising which in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with the character of the publication.

REPRINTS AND BACK ISSUES: Visit www.gomcmag.com for options and pricing. To order back issues, call Nicole at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email [email protected]. To order reprints, call Jeff Lane at 800-257-7222,

(715-546-3346) or email [email protected].

CIRCULATION: Circulation averages 18,344 copies per month.

Tim Krueger

SU

BS

CR

IBE

T

O

FOR

FREE!SCAN THE QR CODE

WITH YOUR

SMARTPHONE

Frac pump downtime can be extremely costly to your operation. To avoid it, we believe you should always have a ready source for reliable pumps parts and service expert people in your area who can provide exactly what you need, when you need it, so you can keep your frac jobs working. That source is Dragon.

Yes, we have that. Dragon has seven service centers, strategically located in every major hydrocarbon-producing region. Our centers are extensively outfitted to deliver the full range of pumps parts and services.

Make it happen.

Dragon Pumps now provides on-site training and

certification classes for all of our pump equipment.

[email protected]

www.dragonproductsltd.com 866-914-8198U.S. owned and operated for over 50 years.

Copyright 2014 Modern Group Inc. All rights reserved.

PumP Parts and service- Trenching

- Tank Cleans

- Spill Clean-ups

- Potholing

- Daylighting

Reliable Solutions For Your Business NeedsDependable in Every Condition

1-800-888-2VAC (2822)

Get Your Dig Done!Safely Quickly

Effectively


Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show

Indiana Convention Center

www.wwettshow.com

EDUCATION DAY: Feb. 23, 2015 EXHIBITS OPEN: Feb. 24 - 26, 2015

Advertiser Index DECEMBER 2014

ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp. ......................................24

American Clutch & Equipment Co. ...................................49

American Jetter .....................................................................................61

Armstrong Equipment, Inc. .......................................................64

C Company Oilfield Services ........................................................6

Canary, LLC ................................................................................................45

ClearSpan Fabric Structures ........................................................61

Comforts of Home Services, Inc. ...........................................23

Consolidated Fabricators ..............................................................28

Dragon Products Ltd. ..........................................................................7

Eldred Environmental & Export Co. LTD ...........................55

Found It Now ..........................................................................................61

Fruitland Manufacturing. ..............................................................48

GapVax, Inc. ..................................................................................................3

Granite Seed and Erosion Control.........................................49

Harrison Truck Centers ....................................................................21

Hot Jet USA ...............................................................................................61

Hydra-Flex, Inc. ......................................................................................34

Insulation Snakes .................................................................................61

J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers .............................................................53

Jetstream of Houston ......................................................................19

Lifting Gear Hire Corporation ....................................................34

Masport, Inc. ............................................................................................28

Master Pumps & Power .................................................................................59

Moro USA, Inc. ...........................................................................................5

Northeast Industrial Mfg................................................................59

NTEA ...............................................................................................................43

Premier Oilfield Equipment ........................................................49

Pressure Lift Corporation ...............................................................34

Skycasters ...................................................................................................15

Snap-on Industrial Brands ............................................................25

Super Products LLC ............................................................................11

TranswestOilfield Truck Equipment ..............................47

TMW Systems .........................................................................................27

Ultra Shore .................................................................................................55

United Rentals ...........................................................................................9

Vac-Con, Inc. ............................................................................................29

Vacall - Gradall Industries ..............................................................20

Vactor Manufacturing ......................................................................35

Vacuum Sales, Inc. ...............................................................................54

Vanair Manufacturing, Inc. ..........................................................23

Volvo Construction Equipment ..............................................17

Water Cannon, Inc. ..................................................................2 & 61


Published monthly by:

1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd., PO Box 220

Three Lakes, WI 54562

www.GOMCMag.com

In U.S. or Canada call toll-free 800-257-7222

Elsewhere call 715-546-3346

Email: [email protected]: www.gomcmag.com

Fax: 715-546-3786

Office hours Mon- Fri.,7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CST

Copyright 2014 COLE Publishing Inc.No part may be reproduced without

permission of the publisher.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: A one year (12 issue) subscription to GOMC in the United States or Canada is free to qualified subscribers. A qualified subscriber is any company or individual who maintains, services or supports land-based gas, oil or mining operations in North America. Non-qualified subscriptions are available at a cost of $60 per year in the United States and $120 per year outside of the United States. To qualify visit www.gomcmag.com/qualify or send company name, mailing address, phone number and check or money order (U.S. funds payable to COLE Publishing Inc.) to the address above. MasterCard, VISA and Discover are also accepted. Supply credit card information with your subscription order.

Our subscriber list is occasionally made available to carefully selected companies whose prod-ucts or services may be of interest to you. Your privacy is important to us. If you prefer not to

be a part of these lists, please contact Nicole at [email protected].

DISPLAY ADVERTISING: Contact Tim at 800-994-7990 or [email protected]. Publisher reserves the right to reject advertising which in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with the character of the publication.

REPRINTS AND BACK ISSUES: Visit www.gomcmag.com for options and pricing. To order back issues, call Nicole at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email [email protected]. To order reprints, call Jeff Lane at 800-257-7222,

(715-546-3346) or email [email protected].

CIRCULATION: Circulation averages 18,344 copies per month.

Tim Krueger

SU

BS

CR

IBE

T

O

FOR

FREE!SCAN THE QR CODE

WITH YOUR

SMARTPHONE

Frac pump downtime can be extremely costly to your operation. To avoid it, we believe you should always have a ready source for reliable pumps parts and service expert people in your area who can provide exactly what you need, when you need it, so you can keep your frac jobs working. That source is Dragon.

Yes, we have that. Dragon has seven service centers, strategically located in every major hydrocarbon-producing region. Our centers are extensively outfitted to deliver the full range of pumps parts and services.

Make it happen.

Dragon Pumps now provides on-site training and

certification classes for all of our pump equipment.

[email protected]

www.dragonproductsltd.com 866-914-8198U.S. owned and operated for over 50 years.

Copyright 2014 Modern Group Inc. All rights reserved.

PumP Parts and service


UnitedRentals.com/gmc | 800.UR.RENTS

2014 United Rentals, Inc.

Anytime, anywhere, on any deviceManage your rental fleet with UR Control

UnitedRentals.com/URcontrol

No two jobs are the same. The same is true for equipment providers.Count on the worlds largest equipment rental provider for 24/7 response,onsite service and repair day or night, and an integrated branch network

of over 880 locations. Deadlines matter. Were here to help.

3Calculate your pump needs online at UnitedRentals.com/PumpCalc

When it comes to service and support, bigger really is better.

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT COLE PUBLISHING

Wishing you peace and prosperity this holiday season and throughout the new year.

inter is finally here. Is everyone jumping for joy? I didnt think so.

Its that time of year when those working in the Bakken and Marcellus Shale plays and the oil sands of Canada need to start thinking about their winter-weather safety tips. Winter especially in these regions can bring bitterly cold temperatures as low as negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 51 Celsius).

Cold weather, harsh wind and working outside in the wet and frozen stuff is not for the faint of heart, says Harvey Markiewicz, a Bakken oilfield worker.

According to the American Society of Safety Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute, its important to keep moisture management in mind when working in cold weather. Whatever is worn should be adjustable so it doesnt get soaked

with sweat. Heavy coats should open progressively.

Wool, neoprene and gortex are all good things. One example of an outfit for the cold weather could be a neoprene cold weather face mask, fur-lined leather gloves, a good pair of leather boots and a pair of waterproof boots for when you are walking in 8-inch deep freezing water. Dont forget those long johns; theyll keep you nice and warm.

Dressing for the cold weather isnt the only precaution you should take. Making sure you are ready for vehicle emergencies is a must as well, according to Markiewicz. There is a very real risk of being snowed into your vehicle while traveling,

either from sliding off the road in a blinding blizzard or just plain drifting snow.

Some things to keep in mind when you are traveling:

Keep your fuel tank full at all timesCarry a case of bottled water with

youCarry extra blankets in the vehicle,

along with flares, tire chains and food

Several companies featured in this months issue of Gas, Oil & Mining Contractor make their living working in these harsh environments. Our profile features C Company, a hydroexcavation company in Williston, N.D.

C Company General Manager Dave Long says the crews working for the company must undergo safety training each month, which will include winter-weather safety tips this month. They are told how to

dress for the weather and how to care for their equipment in the weather.

C Company keeps all of the hoses on its hydroexcavators wrapped and heated, and also heats the debris tanks to prevent materials from freezing and damaging the equipment.

There are several folks living in the Bakken Shale play who need help getting that winter weather clothing, especially if they are just moving into the area and are low on funds. In our Bakken Extra this month, we tell you about a couple living in western North Dakota who have started a thrift shop to help oilfield workers in that area. One of the biggest needs for the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry is winter clothing, and the husband-and-wife duo can be found distributing that clothing several times a year.

Remember, while youre warming up in your home, RV or crew camp, pick up your copy of GOMC and find out whats new. GOMC

Cory Dellenbach

Editors Notebook

WINTER WEATHER SAFETYRemember to dress yourself and your equipment properly for the winter months

By Cory Dellenbach

W

Its that time of year when those working in the Bakken and Marcellus Shale plays and the oil sands of Canada need to start thinking about their winter-weather safety tips.


UnitedRentals.com/gmc | 800.UR.RENTS

2014 United Rentals, Inc.

Anytime, anywhere, on any deviceManage your rental fleet with UR Control

UnitedRentals.com/URcontrol

No two jobs are the same. The same is true for equipment providers.Count on the worlds largest equipment rental provider for 24/7 response,onsite service and repair day or night, and an integrated branch network

of over 880 locations. Deadlines matter. Were here to help.

3Calculate your pump needs online at UnitedRentals.com/PumpCalc

When it comes to service and support, bigger really is better.

inter is finally here. Is everyone jumping for joy? I didnt think so.

Its that time of year when those working in the Bakken and Marcellus Shale plays and the oil sands of Canada need to start thinking about their winter-weather safety tips. Winter especially in these regions can bring bitterly cold temperatures as low as negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 51 Celsius).

Cold weather, harsh wind and working outside in the wet and frozen stuff is not for the faint of heart, says Harvey Markiewicz, a Bakken oilfield worker.

According to the American Society of Safety Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute, its important to keep moisture management in mind when working in cold weather. Whatever is worn should be adjustable so it doesnt get soaked

with sweat. Heavy coats should open progressively.

Wool, neoprene and gortex are all good things. One example of an outfit for the cold weather could be a neoprene cold weather face mask, fur-lined leather gloves, a good pair of leather boots and a pair of waterproof boots for when you are walking in 8-inch deep freezing water. Dont forget those long johns; theyll keep you nice and warm.

Dressing for the cold weather isnt the only precaution you should take. Making sure you are ready for vehicle emergencies is a must as well, according to Markiewicz. There is a very real risk of being snowed into your vehicle while traveling,

either from sliding off the road in a blinding blizzard or just plain drifting snow.

Some things to keep in mind when you are traveling:

Keep your fuel tank full at all timesCarry a case of bottled water with

youCarry extra blankets in the vehicle,

along with flares, tire chains and food

Several companies featured in this months issue of Gas, Oil & Mining Contractor make their living working in these harsh environments. Our profile features C Company, a hydroexcavation company in Williston, N.D.

C Company General Manager Dave Long says the crews working for the company must undergo safety training each month, which will include winter-weather safety tips this month. They are told how to

dress for the weather and how to care for their equipment in the weather.

C Company keeps all of the hoses on its hydroexcavators wrapped and heated, and also heats the debris tanks to prevent materials from freezing and damaging the equipment.

There are several folks living in the Bakken Shale play who need help getting that winter weather clothing, especially if they are just moving into the area and are low on funds. In our Bakken Extra this month, we tell you about a couple living in western North Dakota who have started a thrift shop to help oilfield workers in that area. One of the biggest needs for the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry is winter clothing, and the husband-and-wife duo can be found distributing that clothing several times a year.

Remember, while youre warming up in your home, RV or crew camp, pick up your copy of GOMC and find out whats new. GOMC

Cory Dellenbach

Editors Notebook

WINTER WEATHER SAFETYRemember to dress yourself and your equipment properly for the winter months

By Cory Dellenbach

W

Its that time of year when those working in the Bakken and Marcellus Shale plays and the oil sands of Canada need to start thinking about their winter-weather safety tips.


30 below and 3 hours from home is not the time for second best.

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Super Products LLC...Living up to our name.800.837.9711 superproductsllc.com

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@GOMCmag.comVisit the site daily for new, exclusive content. Read our blogs, find resources and get the most out of GOMC magazine.

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ALASKA CHALLENGE

May the Best Engineering Idea WinSure, $2,000 would be nice. But accord-ing to officials at the University of Alaska, a new Petroleum Engineering Challenge is about more than prize money its about building an online community and connect-ing petroleum engineers from around the country. Read about the contests parame-ters, find out what engineers hope to solve, and become part of the growing community. gomcmag.com/featured

SNOW SEASON

Is Your Hydroexcavator Winter Ready?Before temps dip too far, make sure your hydroexcavation equipment is prepared for the deep chill of Old Man Winter. After all, extreme cold and high winds mean your equipment is about to take a serious beating. Follow these simple steps, and the polar vortex will be much easier to handle. gomcmag.com/featured

OVERHEARD ONLINE

When big oil makes less profit, the belt gets tightened, and that can be bad for

the industry all around.- Oil Prices in the Danger Zone? Not Yet

gomcmag.com/featured

SAFETY MATTERS

5 Ways to Prevent Tank Welding AccidentsThe shale boom has brought opportunities for oil and gas haulers theres no doubt about that. But the boom has also brought a serious problem: an increase in welding accidents. Find out about these deadly incidents and learn what you can do to protect your employees and yourself from harm. gomcmag.com/featured


Cover Story

C Company operators (from left) Matthew Searles, Peter Okyera and Anthony Henry use a Vactor HXX Hydroexcavator to clean an oil spill at a site near Williston, N.D. C Company began operating in the Bakken Shale play in 2011 with just one truck but has since expanded to several trucks and over 30 crew members.

eth Church, his family and partners all decided to use the experience of working in the cold weather to expand their company and start up operations in the Bakken Shale play in North Dakota.

C Company, up until 2011, had only been operating in the Alaskan play, but Church decided it was time to take advantage of the Bakken oil boom and expand into the region. He saw big opportunities and a lack of competition in the regions hydroexcavation services.

I thought they really needed a dedicated provider so we committed ourselves to being that solution and providing quality hydroexcavation service in the Bakken, Church says.

Church, along with his family and business partners Kevin Karella and Andrew Rossow, opened C Companys Williston operations in 2011. What began as a one-truck operation has now turned into 30 employees providing 24/7 service throughout the Bakken with nine trucks.

For a company like ours to come to this area with one truck and only one customer, and today here we sit with nine trucks and master service agreements with over 65 percent of the producers here in the Bakken, is astounding, says Darrin Kittelson, director of operations for C Company. The proof is in the pudding. We went from the little guy on the block to one of the bigger hydroexcavation firms here.

The company does everything from potholing and exposing underground utilities all the way to cleaning rigs and oil spills.

Anything you can do with a hydroexcavator, were currently doing, Kittelson says. Hydroexcavators are very versatile pieces of equipment and we cover a lot of different types of work.

PREPARING FOR THE WEATHERCold-weather experience has helped fuel C Companys success

in North Dakota, allowing the company to pick up jobs that others arent equipped to handle.

In winter, the supply side of service changes in the Bakken, says Dave Long, general manager for C Company. There are a lot of companies that either arent prepared or just arent willing to face winter conditions so theyll head out and come back in the summer.

S

C Company proves its value to Bakken clientele by providing year-round services and unwavering safety practices By Cory Dellenbach | Photography by Shawna Gooch-Egge

C Company operator Anthony Henry uses a digging wand to remove contaminated soil at the site of an oil spill.

THE COLDConquering


As a result, C Company picks up more oil spill jobs in the winter months when the number of responders decreases. Long says they take pride in those jobs because they allow them to show clients the thoroughness of their work. They make sure the scene is always cleaner when they leave than it was before the spill.

Dealing with cold temperatures can be tough on employees and equipment, so the company has set up training seminars for dealing with the extreme elements. Kittelson says supervisors in the field are training employees on a daily basis in addition to the training that takes place at the companys facilities.

Youre training your operators to protect themselves and the equipment in the cold, Kittelson says. We are constantly implementing new training and awareness about how we operate in subzero temperatures and how it can affect our day.

Personnel are taught how to dress for winter, Kittelson says. Employees have to pay more attention to what they wear to work, making sure they are layered up, but not dressed so heavily that they overheat.

A good comparison for the weather here would be watering your lawn when its 60 below outside and windy. Thats what our operators face on a daily basis, Kittelson says. Were dealing with water in some really poor weather conditions.

Weather is also a big factor in equipment decisions. In the winter months, North Dakota can be blasted with heavy snowfall and can experience temperatures as cold as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You just need extreme technology and extreme weather protection, Church says.

We realized early on that this is a dangerous work

environment; we need to be leaders in the field of safety

from the very top level of management to the guys

sweeping the floors and weve put a premium on safety.

Seth Church

C Company director of operations Darrin Kittelson (left) and owner Seth Church (right) discuss a cleanup project with a client.

C COMPANY GENERAL CONTRACTORS LLCLOCATION: Williston, N.D.OWNERS: Seth Church, Kevin Karella and Andrew RossowEMPLOYEES: 30-plusSERVICES OFFERED: Hydroexcavation, tank cleaning, utility locates and oil spill cleanupSERVICE AREA: North Dakota and AlaskaWEBSITE: www.vac-trucks.com

C Company vehicles are equipped for the cold weather that North Dakota sees each winter. Every truck owned by C Company has its hoses wrapped and heated and the water inside the tanks is constantly recirculating to keep it from freezing. There are hot-water heaters on the trucks as well.

The C Company crew, back, from left: Richard Markrell, David Kunce, Christopher Gladden, Russell Bass, Isaac Finkenbinder, Charles Reynolds, Kody Covington, Dave Long, Seth Church and Darrin Kittelson. Front: Anthony Henry, Matthew Searles, Peter Okyera, Aaron Smith, Carl Wells, Kelly Harrelson and Fred Karella. The crew stands in front of a fleet of trucks the company owns, including a 2014 Super Products Mud Dog on a Peterbilt chassis; 2014 Vactor HXX on a Kenworth chassis and a 2011 Vactor Guzzler on a Kenworth chassis.

C Company didnt start off servicing the oilfields of Alaska or North Dakota. The company originally built homes in Alaska.

Nels Church, along with a business partner, started a general residential contracting company in 1968. During the following years they built pre-cut and prefabricated homes throughout Alaska. In 1984, Nels and another partner formed C Company Inc. with the primary purpose of performing public and private commercial work, performing jobs in remote areas of Alaska requiring precise and detailed planning and oversight.

In 2000, Seth Church, with the assistance of his father, Nels, started building speculation homes. After five years they decided to once again enter the commercial market. C Company renovated and assembled a 200-capacity crew camp for Pioneer Oil, and an office complex and crew camp for ENI Petroleum on the North Slope.

I started with my family building houses when I was 17, Church says. We were in the construction field and moved into doing some oil and gas services. There was a steep learning curve transitioning from home construction to oilfield services. However, we found the same principles of customer service, quality of work and safe work practices were true in both industries.

Through its Alaska division, C Company offers a variety of oilfield services.

Our Alaska division offers hydroexcavation, spill cleanups, trenching, daylighting and tank cleans, Church says. We also offer freight and equipment transport in Alaska and stateside.

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As a result, C Company picks up more oil spill jobs in the winter months when the number of responders decreases. Long says they take pride in those jobs because they allow them to show clients the thoroughness of their work. They make sure the scene is always cleaner when they leave than it was before the spill.

Dealing with cold temperatures can be tough on employees and equipment, so the company has set up training seminars for dealing with the extreme elements. Kittelson says supervisors in the field are training employees on a daily basis in addition to the training that takes place at the companys facilities.

Youre training your operators to protect themselves and the equipment in the cold, Kittelson says. We are constantly implementing new training and awareness about how we operate in subzero temperatures and how it can affect our day.

Personnel are taught how to dress for winter, Kittelson says. Employees have to pay more attention to what they wear to work, making sure they are layered up, but not dressed so heavily that they overheat.

A good comparison for the weather here would be watering your lawn when its 60 below outside and windy. Thats what our operators face on a daily basis, Kittelson says. Were dealing with water in some really poor weather conditions.

Weather is also a big factor in equipment decisions. In the winter months, North Dakota can be blasted with heavy snowfall and can experience temperatures as cold as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You just need extreme technology and extreme weather protection, Church says.

We realized early on that this is a dangerous work

environment; we need to be leaders in the field of safety

from the very top level of management to the guys

sweeping the floors and weve put a premium on safety.

Seth Church

C Company director of operations Darrin Kittelson (left) and owner Seth Church (right) discuss a cleanup project with a client.

C COMPANY GENERAL CONTRACTORS LLCLOCATION: Williston, N.D.OWNERS: Seth Church, Kevin Karella and Andrew RossowEMPLOYEES: 30-plusSERVICES OFFERED: Hydroexcavation, tank cleaning, utility locates and oil spill cleanupSERVICE AREA: North Dakota and AlaskaWEBSITE: www.vac-trucks.com

C Company vehicles are equipped for the cold weather that North Dakota sees each winter. Every truck owned by C Company has its hoses wrapped and heated and the water inside the tanks is constantly recirculating to keep it from freezing. There are hot-water heaters on the trucks as well.

The C Company crew, back, from left: Richard Markrell, David Kunce, Christopher Gladden, Russell Bass, Isaac Finkenbinder, Charles Reynolds, Kody Covington, Dave Long, Seth Church and Darrin Kittelson. Front: Anthony Henry, Matthew Searles, Peter Okyera, Aaron Smith, Carl Wells, Kelly Harrelson and Fred Karella. The crew stands in front of a fleet of trucks the company owns, including a 2014 Super Products Mud Dog on a Peterbilt chassis; 2014 Vactor HXX on a Kenworth chassis and a 2011 Vactor Guzzler on a Kenworth chassis.

C Company didnt start off servicing the oilfields of Alaska or North Dakota. The company originally built homes in Alaska.

Nels Church, along with a business partner, started a general residential contracting company in 1968. During the following years they built pre-cut and prefabricated homes throughout Alaska. In 1984, Nels and another partner formed C Company Inc. with the primary purpose of performing public and private commercial work, performing jobs in remote areas of Alaska requiring precise and detailed planning and oversight.

In 2000, Seth Church, with the assistance of his father, Nels, started building speculation homes. After five years they decided to once again enter the commercial market. C Company renovated and assembled a 200-capacity crew camp for Pioneer Oil, and an office complex and crew camp for ENI Petroleum on the North Slope.

I started with my family building houses when I was 17, Church says. We were in the construction field and moved into doing some oil and gas services. There was a steep learning curve transitioning from home construction to oilfield services. However, we found the same principles of customer service, quality of work and safe work practices were true in both industries.

Through its Alaska division, C Company offers a variety of oilfield services.

Our Alaska division offers hydroexcavation, spill cleanups, trenching, daylighting and tank cleans, Church says. We also offer freight and equipment transport in Alaska and stateside.

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C Company utilizes hydroexcavators from two different manufacturers: Vactor and Super Products. The company has both Guzzlers and HXXs from Vactor, while on the Super Products side they run Mud Dogs.

All of the trucks are equipped with large freshwater tanks, Hotsy industrial pressure washers and isolated debris tanks that allow for proper disposal of hazardous waste.

Church says about 60 percent of their trucks are Vactors and 40 percent are Super Products. The newest Super Products hydro-excavator arrived at the shop in October.

Weve got some of the most cutting edge technology as far as cold weather that Vactor has ever done, Church says. Were talking directly with Vactor and Super Products on a regular basis and communicating our needs. Weve had the president of Vactor in my pickup truck with his product developer riding along for a couple of days just showing them what our specific needs are, and theyre making changes so that they can take care of us so we can take care of our customers.

C Company also wraps and heats the hoses on the trucks. There are hot-water heaters on the trucks and the water in the tanks is constantly recirculated to keep it from freezing.

We obviously set up our equipment to operate and were going above and beyond what most people have to do with their equipment, Kittelson says. If we run out of water we may have just caused major damage to our equipment, whereas people in fair weather dont have to deal with these types of issues.

When the weather isnt so brutal, C Company is mainly cleaning rigs and hydroexcavating for utilities, Long says.

BUSY CREWS

C Company has crews working in the oilfields 24 hours a day, every day of the week in every season of the year.

Were here to work. Were here to provide a service, and if you need it at 3 a.m., we better be ready or we need to go home, Long says, adding that he often tells his crews they can call at any time of night if they need him. Im the general manager, but they can call me anytime to help them work.

Many jobs present tough safety challenges, including confined-space en-tries, hazardous chemicals and complicated equipment, and C Company puts a big emphasis on work site safety.

We go all the way down to the job level. Job Safety Analysis [JSA] is something we perform on each and every job, Long says. Our team on the job is prepped before they ever leave the shop, when they get to the site and after.

Before leaving for a job site, crews discuss potential safety hazards at the site theyll be servicing. Once they are on site theyll meet again and take a

look at all the safety hazards and discuss those. Following the work, the crews will meet again and talk over what hazards they saw, what they were able to mitigate, what they were able to control and what they could eliminate.

They put that all down on paper and we talk about it when they come back to the shop, Long says.

The company also holds weekly behavioral management safety meetings where the safety officers review the JSAs and do spot checks on jobs to see how employees are performing.

Were looking at whether theyre following the rules, whether things could be done better, and we bring those back to the office and talk about those in our regular meetings and try to change our safety culture for the better every day and every week, Long says.

Church notes one particular job they handled in August took the confined-space safety program to a whole new level they hadnt seen in the Bakken.

It was a stretch for us, we had to bring up our game as far as safety, he says. We realized early on that this is a dangerous work environment; we need to be leaders in the field of safety from the very top level of management to the guys sweeping the floors and weve put a premium on safety.

EXPANSION COMING UP

Church would like to see his company expand in the region, but that will depend in large part on how long it takes the company to train employees.

First and foremost, our growth is predicated on the success of our perfor-mance and where were doing work, Church says. We would like to see con-tinued work in the Bakken, the North Slope in Alaska, as well as Wyoming. We would like to move into Wyoming and then perhaps Colorado; that would be within the next three years. Wed like to see some solid but attainable growth.

Long says hed like to see the company grow, just like they have been, adding trucks each year.

Id like us to lock in a few more clients and never ever lose one, Long says. Wed like to see safety continue to grow. We want to keep seeing our guys wearing their PPEs and coming back with all their fingers and toes and more ideas about how we can do this better and faster and still be just as safe. GOMC

C Company operator Matthew Searles prepares to clean an oil spill with the 2014 Vactor HXX Hydroexcavator.

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Were here to work. Were here to provide a service, and if you

need it at 3 a.m., we better be ready or we need to go home.

Dave Long


im Konsor saw the ups and downs of the Bakken oilfields every day.

I was living in a fifth wheel like a lot of the other people are and heard a lot of stories about people moving out here and trying to get a fresh start, Konsor says.

Theres a lot of personal pain, some was financial and some was relational.

Konsor remembers walking down Watford City, N.D., streets after work and seeing all the people who needed help.

I would just pray for the town and the churches and said, Lord, is there some way to help? Konsor says.

Konsor and his wife, Kathie, had been involved in ministry work for much of their lives. One day after church in their hometown of Watertown, S.D., they were talking with the pastor and expressed interest in getting back into ministry.

The pastor did some checking with the North and South Dakota United Methodist Conference and found that they were

looking to start a ministry in the Bakken region. The pastor mentioned the Konsors to the conference and the process was set in motion.

We visited with them and said it would be good to go up there and do an assessment, talking to pastors and people from the city to see what they feel the needs are, Konsor says. So he and his wife traveled

to Watford City to begin the meetings. We met with seven pastors, the mayor, the head of the chamber of commerce and social services and wrote down what the biggest needs were.

FIRST STEPS

The Bakken Oil Rush Ministry was organized and began operations in summer 2013. During their meetings with city and church officials in Watford City, Konsor says a gathering place for oilfield workers was quickly identified as a need, as was a thrift store to serve the rapidly growing population.

They were just coming in with what they have in the car and many were trying to set up new homes and didnt have any money to go out and buy new stuff because everything is real expensive here, Konsor says.

Setting up the thrift store proved to be a difficult task right from the start.

We couldnt find a building because everything was so terribly expensive, Konsor says. An old grocery store on Main Street that sold out to a bigger company put its old building up for sale. They wanted a million dollars for that building, so that wasnt going to work.

The Konsors decided it was time to move in a different direction, so they

purchased a 29-foot toy hauler, took out the beds and dressers and installed shelves and hanging rods. They were then able to get the churches in the conference to collect items for them.

We spoke to as many churches as we could, Konsor says. We were setting up when the food pantry was open. We were setting up in church parking lots.

They began operation of the traveling thrift store in August 2013 and had their first coat giveaway in November. Konsor says 90 coats were given away in that first event, but overall during the winter months a total of 265 coats along with snow pants,

Bakken Extra

HELPING THOSE IN NEEDBakken Oil Rush Ministry serving oilfield workers in many ways

By Cory Dellenbach

J

Our heart is to help the people that are less fortunate. Its easy to do stuff that is nice and easy and say come to us, but its another thing to go out there and hear peoples stories and be willing to get involved. Jim Konsor

Jim and Kathie Konsor attend the annual conference of the North and South Dakota United Methodist Churches. The two stand near a model oil derrick on which attendees hung donated coats, towels and hooded sweatshirts. (Photo contributed by Bakken Oil Rush Ministry)

boots, hoodies, blankets and heaters were given out to oilfield workers.Were open on a weekly basis, not every day, but its my wife and I

basically, Konsor says. We have to sort and clean and go through the things we can and cant use. We go out and speak at some of the churches in the conference and locally to keep the people aware of what were doing.

Sorting and cleaning the items has proven to be a challenge due to the lack of space available for the ministry. They use one end of a local church basement to store items, but it isnt big enough to sort everything so the Konsors take it out of the basement and bring it over to another church where they make a donation and use their fellowship hall.

We sort the items there and then we have to rebag everything and either take it back to the first basement or now we have two storage sheds for clothing and different things, Konsor says. Were constantly moving things and everything we do is extra work.

In winter, the main task is just trying to get the travel trailer warm because they set it up in church parking lots. With a furnace that isnt able to keep up, Konsor has had to run extra heaters, including a fish-house heater, to help get the temperature up so people can come in and look for the things they need.

We dont specify that you have to be an oilfield worker to get help, but a majority of them are oilfield workers, Konsor says, adding that 65 percent of the people who come through are first-timers. We have people sign up when they come in and give ages and addresses if they have them. Most dont have them because theyre just living in RVs.

GATHERING PLACE

With no building to call their own, the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry has found other ways to house community gatherings, including using area parks and the fellowship halls of other churches.

The Konsors have already held several events, including a pre-Labor Day picnic in August. They also sponsored a Sidewalk Sunday School for four days in August that drew about a dozen kids.

Our heart is to help the people that are less fortunate. Its easy to do stuff that is nice and easy and say come to us, but its another thing to go out there and hear peoples stories and be willing to get involved, Konsor says. Theres a fulfillment in knowing that were touching people and helping them on the very basic human need side, which a lot of times opens them up to share their story and what they need help with and how theyre hurting.

Konsor, who is now an appointed local licensed pastor, will also pray with people who just need encouragement.

Most of them left their family somewhere else and they dont have any kind of support system there and to know that theres somebody that wants to hear their story and will listen and will do what they can helps, Konsor says.

UNCERTAIN FUTUREKonsor has big plans for the future, but nothing is for certain. Finding a

building is still a top priority. He says they had drawings for a building even before they went up to the Watford City area.

We would have four rooms that could be used short-term like hotel rooms for three or four days while people are figuring out what they need to do, Konsor says. The cheapest motel I know of is $169 a night and they run up to $220 for a basic motel. People are coming into town and theyre broke.

The building would also have clothes washers and dryers as well as a (continued)


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im Konsor saw the ups and downs of the Bakken oilfields every day.

I was living in a fifth wheel like a lot of the other people are and heard a lot of stories about people moving out here and trying to get a fresh start, Konsor says.

Theres a lot of personal pain, some was financial and some was relational.

Konsor remembers walking down Watford City, N.D., streets after work and seeing all the people who needed help.

I would just pray for the town and the churches and said, Lord, is there some way to help? Konsor says.

Konsor and his wife, Kathie, had been involved in ministry work for much of their lives. One day after church in their hometown of Watertown, S.D., they were talking with the pastor and expressed interest in getting back into ministry.

The pastor did some checking with the North and South Dakota United Methodist Conference and found that they were

looking to start a ministry in the Bakken region. The pastor mentioned the Konsors to the conference and the process was set in motion.

We visited with them and said it would be good to go up there and do an assessment, talking to pastors and people from the city to see what they feel the needs are, Konsor says. So he and his wife traveled

to Watford City to begin the meetings. We met with seven pastors, the mayor, the head of the chamber of commerce and social services and wrote down what the biggest needs were.

FIRST STEPS

The Bakken Oil Rush Ministry was organized and began operations in summer 2013. During their meetings with city and church officials in Watford City, Konsor says a gathering place for oilfield workers was quickly identified as a need, as was a thrift store to serve the rapidly growing population.

They were just coming in with what they have in the car and many were trying to set up new homes and didnt have any money to go out and buy new stuff because everything is real expensive here, Konsor says.

Setting up the thrift store proved to be a difficult task right from the start.

We couldnt find a building because everything was so terribly expensive, Konsor says. An old grocery store on Main Street that sold out to a bigger company put its old building up for sale. They wanted a million dollars for that building, so that wasnt going to work.

The Konsors decided it was time to move in a different direction, so they

purchased a 29-foot toy hauler, took out the beds and dressers and installed shelves and hanging rods. They were then able to get the churches in the conference to collect items for them.

We spoke to as many churches as we could, Konsor says. We were setting up when the food pantry was open. We were setting up in church parking lots.

They began operation of the traveling thrift store in August 2013 and had their first coat giveaway in November. Konsor says 90 coats were given away in that first event, but overall during the winter months a total of 265 coats along with snow pants,

Bakken Extra

HELPING THOSE IN NEEDBakken Oil Rush Ministry serving oilfield workers in many ways

By Cory Dellenbach

J

Our heart is to help the people that are less fortunate. Its easy to do stuff that is nice and easy and say come to us, but its another thing to go out there and hear peoples stories and be willing to get involved. Jim Konsor

Jim and Kathie Konsor attend the annual conference of the North and South Dakota United Methodist Churches. The two stand near a model oil derrick on which attendees hung donated coats, towels and hooded sweatshirts. (Photo contributed by Bakken Oil Rush Ministry)

boots, hoodies, blankets and heaters were given out to oilfield workers.Were open on a weekly basis, not every day, but its my wife and I

basically, Konsor says. We have to sort and clean and go through the things we can and cant use. We go out and speak at some of the churches in the conference and locally to keep the people aware of what were doing.

Sorting and cleaning the items has proven to be a challenge due to the lack of space available for the ministry. They use one end of a local church basement to store items, but it isnt big enough to sort everything so the Konsors take it out of the basement and bring it over to another church where they make a donation and use their fellowship hall.

We sort the items there and then we have to rebag everything and either take it back to the first basement or now we have two storage sheds for clothing and different things, Konsor says. Were constantly moving things and everything we do is extra work.

In winter, the main task is just trying to get the travel trailer warm because they set it up in church parking lots. With a furnace that isnt able to keep up, Konsor has had to run extra heaters, including a fish-house heater, to help get the temperature up so people can come in and look for the things they need.

We dont specify that you have to be an oilfield worker to get help, but a majority of them are oilfield workers, Konsor says, adding that 65 percent of the people who come through are first-timers. We have people sign up when they come in and give ages and addresses if they have them. Most dont have them because theyre just living in RVs.

GATHERING PLACE

With no building to call their own, the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry has found other ways to house community gatherings, including using area parks and the fellowship halls of other churches.

The Konsors have already held several events, including a pre-Labor Day picnic in August. They also sponsored a Sidewalk Sunday School for four days in August that drew about a dozen kids.

Our heart is to help the people that are less fortunate. Its easy to do stuff that is nice and easy and say come to us, but its another thing to go out there and hear peoples stories and be willing to get involved, Konsor says. Theres a fulfillment in knowing that were touching people and helping them on the very basic human need side, which a lot of times opens them up to share their story and what they need help with and how theyre hurting.

Konsor, who is now an appointed local licensed pastor, will also pray with people who just need encouragement.

Most of them left their family somewhere else and they dont have any kind of support system there and to know that theres somebody that wants to hear their story and will listen and will do what they can helps, Konsor says.

UNCERTAIN FUTUREKonsor has big plans for the future, but nothing is for certain. Finding a

building is still a top priority. He says they had drawings for a building even before they went up to the Watford City area.

We would have four rooms that could be used short-term like hotel rooms for three or four days while people are figuring out what they need to do, Konsor says. The cheapest motel I know of is $169 a night and they run up to $220 for a basic motel. People are coming into town and theyre broke.

The building would also have clothes washers and dryers as well as a (continued)


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multipurpose room providing a place for kids to play and space for events and services. Konsor says a large kitchen could be used by those living in RVs.

Konsor would like to see construction begin by next summer, but there is one major obstacle to clear first.

The funding needs to come, he says. When we started this, the conference challenged all of the churches, saying they wanted to start this ministry in the oilfields and challenged them to bring an offering. They were hoping to raise $100,000.

Instead, the call brought in $262,000, which surprised a lot of the conference member churches.

It made them realize there is a need, but everything up there is so expensive and the money is going fast because its not just our ministry, Konsor says. They wanted to add a staff person in Williston and they were doing

some extra work in Dickinson. The money is being used and its not being replenished. We go out to speak at churches and they take some offerings, but its not keeping up with whats going out. We are getting concerned about how this is going to be funded by next summer.

In the meantime, however, Konsor says the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry will continue to do what theyve always done help those in need.

The community has been very supportive, Konsor says. People in the community donate lots of things. We get a number of calls every week wanting to bring things down. We try to be specific and we have a needs list on our website that tells people the things were looking for. GOMC

MORE INFOFor more information on the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, go to www.oilrushministry.com.


multipurpose room providing a place for kids to play and space for events and services. Konsor says a large kitchen could be used by those living in RVs.

Konsor would like to see construction begin by next summer, but there is one major obstacle to clear first.

The funding needs to come, he says. When we started this, the conference challenged all of the churches, saying they wanted to start this ministry in the oilfields and challenged them to bring an offering. They were hoping to raise $100,000.

Instead, the call brought in $262,000, which surprised a lot of the conference member churches.

It made them realize there is a need, but everything up there is so expensive and the money is going fast because its not just our ministry, Konsor says. They wanted to add a staff person in Williston and they were doing

some extra work in Dickinson. The money is being used and its not being replenished. We go out to speak at churches and they take some offerings, but its not keeping up with whats going out. We are getting concerned about how this is going to be funded by next summer.

In the meantime, however, Konsor says the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry will continue to do what theyve always done help those in need.

The community has been very supportive, Konsor says. People in the community donate lots of things. We get a number of calls every week wanting to bring things down. We try to be specific and we have a needs list on our website that tells people the things were looking for. GOMC

MORE INFOFor more information on the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, go to www.oilrushministry.com.


Tech Perspective

SUBMERSIBLE DEWATERING PUMPS HAVE ONE CLEAR GOAL to move water, whether its to another location for reuse or to simply remove water from a low-lying area. For the most part they require minimal maintenance.

But before you set and forget your submersible dewatering pumps, there are some preventive maintenance practices you should follow to keep them operating day in and day out so productivity keeps flowing in the right direction. And some of the most important practices start long before your submersible pumps hit the job site.

A PUMP THAT SIZES UP

Electric submersible pumps are the most commonly used pumps for dewatering aggregate mines. They are small and lightweight and when it comes to maintaining the pumps, choosing the right one for the application is one of the biggest decisions youll make. Using a pump that isnt sized for the application can lead to issues down the road, like a broken shaft, dislodged seal or thrown impeller. On aggregate mines where dewatering is often critical to production, that means costly downtime.

To avoid this, there are three things to consider: the material you are pumping, how far you need to pump it and the elevation to which it will be pumped. If it will be moving water and aggregates rather than just water, youll need a model that is rated for that application and is equipped with impellers made of a durable material, like cast iron. Other materials, like polyurethane, can handle water, but the abrasive materials like aggregates can cause them to wear out quickly. Electric submersible pumps rated for these applications can typically move aggregates as large as 1 inch in diameter with minimal wear to components.

From there you will want to confirm the pump can move water as far as you need it to go. Generally, the farther the pump is from the water site, the greater the gallons per minute (gpm) it will need to move the water to or from that location. And if the water has to move uphill, the pump will also need more head capacity. In other words, how high the pump can raise water. Electric submersible pumps operate with as much as 5,300 gpm and can pump water as high as 275 feet. Outputs can be as wide as 10 inches in diameter for even greater flow capacities.

GET IMMERSED IN THE DETAILS

Once youve determined the right size, make sure the pump is built with durable materials and has features that will withstand long run times

and the harsh conditions of aggregate applications. The pumps wear plates and seals play an important role in that since they help protect the internal components. Choose pumps with double mechanical seals, which provide a consistent, watertight interface. Some manufacturers offer stainless steel seals, which last longer than rubber seals and are more durable, which makes them great for aggregate applications. Also look for mechanisms that stop the unit if it overheats or the electric current overloads the pump. On most models the pump will automatically restart after it has cooled. This helps protect the motor from damage and extends the life of the pump.

If your pump will be unattended, consider installing a float that automatically shuts the pump off when the water level becomes too low, then restarts it as the level rises. This prevents damage to the seal and premature motor failure.

In addition to pump components that keep damage from occurring, there are others that make maintenance faster and easier on the job site. For example, some pumps offer access to their interiors with the removal of just three bolts rather than several more on other models. Some pumps also dont require users to remove additional components, like the seal, to access the interior. For even faster maintenance on the job site, many manufacturers offer a complete replacement package that includes a seal, shaft and impeller and everything users need to install them. Also consider where you can get parts and how long you might have to wait for them.

Now youre ready to get things moving. But once you have your pump in place, dont forget to pay it a visit once in a while.

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY

While every piece of equipment with moving parts needs regular preventive maintenance, its particularly important for equipment used in rugged applications like dewatering aggregate mines.

Electric submersible pumps have three main wear parts: the impeller, seal and shaft. A drop of preventive maintenance goes a long way with all of them.

Since the seal is one of the most critical parts of a pump, its important to check the seal oil as often as once a week in heavy-use applications and refill it as needed. This will ensure the seal remains properly lubricated and watertight.

Inspecting hoses and cables for damage should be on your weekly checklist too, especially if they are exposed to the elements or in areas where traffic could cause damage. Typically a damaged pump hose is easy to spot as youll see water flowing from the hose. A damaged cord, on the other hand, might not

Maintaining

December 2014

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