[Ponypenny]

Here is a interesting article about the oil boom in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma's oil boom means employers can't find workers | HeraldNet.com - Work

WOODWARD, Okla. -- The local prison is so short on guards that inmates can sometimes just walk away. A gas station barely has enough cashiers to keep up with the trucks filling the parking lot.

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[soanchorless]

I wonder how long the abundance of oil jobs will last? I'd be milking that cow but saving my pennies.

[StillwaterTownie]

I don't expect very many people to want to move to northwestern Oklahoma, considering that the nearest big city is well over 1 hour drive away.

[Johnhw2]

Originally Posted by soanchorless

I wonder how long the abundance of oil jobs will last? I'd be milking that cow but saving my pennies.

I agree with your philosphy of save for a rainy day, but also recall the forecast demise of oil and gas production over the past 20 years. I believe this one has a good 20 year run on it which is longer than most careers last in this economic climate. Oil and gas is one of the few remaining producers of good paying heavy manufacturing jobs which once were plentiful in the US. Energy is a key ingredient to our way of life....and can produce great wealth to an area because it is a basic necessary ingredient to a good economy and the way of life we now enjoy

[debzkidz]

As someone who's been riding the O&G roller coaster for more than 30 years, and has lived through this kind of boom cycle before, let me just say that with every boom comes a bust. Those that are smart will but money away now, because those jobs won't be around forever.

[#1soonerfan]

^
This. I'm probably much younger than you debzkidz, but its nice to hear a few voices of sanity amid the feeding frenzy of this industry.

Not to sound like a Debbie Downer, but articles like this really wax over some key points. As someone who works in the industry, I will say this piece is about 18 months too late.

Yes, things are good now, but you can definitely tell the industry is "tapping the brakes" right now, and while the long term picture is still pretty good short term prospects are much cloudier due to issues with natural gas.

Here's a view from my side of things. Most exploration for "dry" natural gas has slowed to a crawl. Any dry gas thats being drilled right now is because a company couldn't get out of some contract or it needed to hold leases they likely overpaid for. Drilling for natural gas liquids (NGLs) or wet gas is also just about run its course because the price of ethane, methane, propane, etc. are all plunging due to oversupply. All big gas plays in this part of the country (Haynesville, Barnett, certain parts of Anadarko Basin) are operating at a fraction of what they were even just 2 years ago. In OK anyway, severance tax (whats paid on oil and gas production) is off about 35% of what it was just last year.

On my side of things (upstream), we are having to deal with some really pissed off mineral owners because they are getting way less for their leases. "But my neighbor up the road got $1,000/acre last year!! Why am only getting $250?!?" Times are different now. I'm now hearing stories of laid off landmen and drilling contractors. Plus there's that whole unresolved deal with Chesapeake. Things have stabilized with CHK now, but who knows when the other shoe will drop. That alone could have a chilling effect on the whole industry.

The article is referencing Woodward because that's the major hub of the Mississippian Play, which is a big shale oil zone in Southern KS and Northern OK. It, like other oil plays are doing well, and is definitely easing, but not completely erasing, the pain from low nat gas prices. But its just a small part of the giant energy picture. As for me, I make a good living but I really can't go wild. I've definitely had to learn to be adaptable and even do things I really don't like, because that's the only way someone will survive in this industry long term. Remember, in life, nothing is forever.

just my 0.02.

[okie1962]

I'm on an x-ray crew up in Wyalusing, PA putting in a 30" pipeline. The pay is great but hate being away from home so much.

[_redbird_]

I can't believe there is a shortage of tweakers.

[Gunluvver2]

Originally Posted by soanchorless

I wonder how long the abundance of oil jobs will last? I'd be milking that cow but saving my pennies.

Save pennies? Good luck with that unless you own your home you will be paying so much for rent and increased taxes it will be difficult. Elk City during the 1980s had a similar boom & bust. Each generation has to learn from experience.
GL2

[green_mariner]

I've got a question. Is there any room for an unemployed college graduate like me, who has a skill in cartography, and trying to learn AutoCAD?