Amerad Hess Moving to Minot (Bismarck, Grand Forks: renting, hotels, homes)

[chester]

I heard where Amerada Hess is going to be expanding and building in Minot? I am wondering why they decided to move their ND regional office from Williston to Minot? I heard it was because they wanted access to commercial jet service, and I'm sure as hard as it is to entice new workers from out of state, they were probably wanting to get into a larger town with a 4 year college, mall, chain stores and services, zoo, etc... to try attract. Does anyone know why? I've talked to a few people who said it is not because Minot is going to be the next oil boom town...because so far, not much has been found around Minot...the majority is still farther west, but Parshall-New Town area being really hot right now. I heard it was more to do with business practice and decisions made higher up? Just wondering.

[Roloff1976]

Chester, I heard Hess is moving to Minot for business reasons. Pretty much what you said. In order to get some of the geologists, engineers, to move to ND, they are wanting to move to a larger town with malls and jet service. I'm guessing it is a business choice. When you think about it, Hess pretty much has their rigs between Minot and Williston (especially in the Tioga to Parshall area) so either way, Williston or Minot would be a good location to expand. I heard they are planning on expanding the plant in Tioga and building an office there also. So at least Williams county will still benefit from them as far as employees and tax dollars. They just won't be based out of Williston. Someone said they are still keeping their Williston office, but the new one with all the new employees moving to the state will be based in Minot. Guess we will have to wait and find out when they officially announce what Hess has planned for their ND expansion. It is just too bad Hess didn't pick Williston, as Williston has been their regional admin for over 50 years.

[magiccity]

Amerda Hess isn't the only oil company moving here to Minot. You wouldn't believe the calls we are getting about what buildings are available. There are quite a few. Why Minot, it's on the crossroads between Grand Forks and Willistion and Bismarck and Canada. Good location, 2 major trains, airlines, and 2 major highways.

[kychlo]

Originally Posted by magiccity

Amerda Hess isn't the only oil company moving here to Minot. You wouldn't believe the calls we are getting about what buildings are available. There are quite a few. Why Minot, it's on the crossroads between Grand Forks and Willistion and Bismarck and Canada. Good location, 2 major trains, airlines, and 2 major highways.

Magiccity,

Who else is looking at moving into Minot? The company I work for in Williston is looking at putting up a shop in Minot. We are looking at renting or building (if we have to) a building and yard to store and maintain trucks. With the oilfield expanding into the Stanley/ Parshall areas we are seeing that finding help in Minot/Burlington/Stanley is easier than finding workers in Williston. I'd be interested to hear what other companies are looking at making the move east. If you have any leads on shops with room for truck parking I'd love to hear from you. Thanks.

[magiccity]

I have been contacted by an out of country company that is setting up offices throughout ND. I do have 3 buildings with offices and semi truck parking inside.

Moderator, how can I contact this person to give direct information without violating the rules? ct

[Jammie]

Hi Magic, thank you for following the rules.

Click on the poster's name and a window will fall down. One of your options says, "Direct Message" or DM this person. Just click on that and your letter will appear. Write your letter and click "submit" and it will go directly to their message box.

When you get a reply, it will show up in your area (upper right hand corner where it says, "Welcome Magiccity") Just click on Direct Message and you can read their reply.

[magiccity]

Thanks Jammie, done deal. I knew there was a way, I just forgot how to do it. ct

[Roloff1976]

Just curious...why don't they open up their new shops IN Parshall, Stanley, Plaza, New Town... etc... to benefit the communities where the activity is at? Not that I'm against Minot or anything, but since they have all the Oil companies in Williston that are expanding and rebuilding their current facilities to take care of the oil in Williston area, why don't they build their new satellites IN Stanley-Parshall-New Town to take care of the discoveries in that area. Not that I'm against Minot or anything, but why build a new satellite that is still 70-80 miles away from the actual activity?

[kychlo]

In our case, we not only need a shop and truck yard, but we also need access to the railroad. Also, an important point to remember is that if an office is opened up in a smaller town such as Stanley, there are a limited number of workers and things that attract employees like homes, shopping, hotels, restaurants, etc. A lot of people would like to work in the oilfield and make oilfield wages from out of state, but they do not always want to live in Williston or Stanley or Tioga. Opening up in Minot allows us to sell workers on the fact that they can live in a "larger" city and also still work in the ND oilfield.

I can almost guarantee that companies are looking at moving to Minot because there are more people, more homes, and more to offer their workers.

Minot is not all that far from the activity. I don't know when the last time you drove HWY 2 from Williston to Minot, but there are rigs 20 miles east of Stanley. If my math is right that puts activity much closer to Minot than 70-80 miles away.

[Roloff1976]

I'm not disagreeing to the fact that companies are and will look to Minot. But, there is still LOTS of activity that is and will take place in eastern MT, and western ND. The Parshall-NewTown-Stanley areas are very active right now. But anyone in the industry will tell you that activity comes and goes. There are some really great finds right now in Mountrail county, but that doesn't mean they won't find some new great hits in Divide, Burke, Williams, etc... also. Mountrail county could be hot for a year or 2 and then die down. I think we can all agree that there is enough work to go around the entire western half of ND. The fact that Williston and Dickinson currently have the majority of the service companies and most have expanded, rebuilt or plan to expand or rebuild, is testament to the fact that Williston and Dickinson are still the place to be for the most part. I have talked to many in the industry that agree. Minot WILL get some service companies, but nothing like Dickinson or Williston. Unless...oil finds continue EAST of Minot.

So then Kychlo, is your company then closing shop in Williston and moving it all to Minot or is it going to expand there...just curious?