The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Northwest Oklahoma 2

Related Photos

  • Despite a slump in the state economy created by a decrease in oil and natural gas production, drilling is beginning to make a comeback in Major County. The county went from zero to three drilling rigs.

    Major_County_Drilling_1_BH.jpg

  • Despite a slump in the state economy created by a decrease in oil and natural gas production, drilling is beginning to make a comeback in Major County. The county went from zero to three drilling rigs.

    Major_County_Drilling_2_BH.jpg

Discussion

March 13, 2010

Drill it into the economy

Rig count is up in Major County

By Cass Rains, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

FAIRVIEW — FAIRVIEW — Despite a slump in the state economy created by a decrease in oil and natural gas production, drilling is beginning to make a comeback in Major County.

In 2008, the county saw heavy production in oil and natural gas when prices were high. However, as prices fell so did production, and the one-time high of 10 rigs in the county dwindled to zero.

“All last summer we didn’t see any drilling activity,” said Major County Assessor Ralph Wilson. But things are beginning to look up.

“We had three drills going this year,” he said. “It’s not big, but it’s looking better.”

Wilson said a drilling rig near Ames collapsed Dec. 26 — in which one worker was killed and an Occupational Safety and Health Admin-stration investigation is ongoing — but two others are in operation. The rigs belong to Nomac Drilling and Quad El Dorado Drilling.

“Last summer I don’t think we had any drilling in our county,” he said. “We’re hoping things will come back around some. But it’s slow.”

With natural gas and oil prices rebounding, Wilson said he hopes to see activity steadily increase.

“We’re hoping they’ll start drilling back into the western part of our county,” he said. “It seems like there are some of them doing some locations in the northwest part of the county.”

Wilson said at one point the county had eight to 10 active wells, some with valuations of $4 million to $5 million.

“You you’re talking quite a bit of valuation,” Wilson said. In March of last year, the county was down to zero drilling sites, and there wasn’t

any activity until the first of the year, he said.

The new drilling sites and the likelihood of seeing more keeps Wilson optimistic.

“Oh, it will help the county quite a bit,” he said. “I’m looking more hopeful now, since the first of year.”

Wilson said the county usually drives around and checks for newly activated sites. Reports from drillers are due to his office March 15.

Text Only
Northwest Oklahoma 2
  • Kingfisher_Trails_1_SY.jpg On the right trail

    A move to build a 10-foot-wide, multi-use pedestrian trail around the city of Kingfisher continues to gain steam and progress.

    March 13, 2010 3 Photos

  • Lingfisher_Life_2_The_Max_2_SY.jpg Kingfisher County gets healthy boost by living Life 2 The Max

    Last year, the newspaper and Kingfisher Regional Hospital partnered to create Life 2 The Max as a way to help Kingfisher residents maintain healthier lifestyles.

    March 13, 2010 2 Photos

  • Energizing the town

    Two Hennessey women began a project in 1999 that helped bring the town back from the doldrums of the early 1980s oil bust.

    March 13, 2010

  • Dover_Fire_BH.jpg Needing a little space

    Chief Bobby Gardner said an expansion of the aging Dover Fire Department was approved by county commissioners last month.

    March 13, 2010 1 Photo

  • Fairview_Sale_Barn_1_BH.jpg ‘Leaving with lots of smiles’

    Bobby Smith, owner of Fairview Sale Barn, may work 70 to 80 hours a week this time of the year, but he is OK with that because he loves what he does — sell cattle.

    March 13, 2010 2 Photos

  • Cover_89'er_Theater_1_SY.jpg Lights ... camera ... action

    Kingfisher’s 89’er Theatre, located at 304 N. Main in the heart of downtown, gives residents the opportunity to do just that, said Dalbow, who is general manager of the theater.

    March 13, 2010 3 Photos

  • Major_County_Drilling_1_BH.jpg Drill it into the economy

    With natural gas and oil prices rebounding, Major County Assessor Ralph Wilson said he hopes to see activity steadily increase.

    March 13, 2010 2 Photos

  • Watonga_Hospital_2_BH.jpg City, hospital working together to maintain services in Watonga

    Roland Gee, interim administrator, said cash flow for the hospital has been a problem in the last few months.

    March 13, 2010 2 Photos

  • Ringwood_Elem_1_BH.jpg Ringwood’s school trades out the old to go in with the new

    “Now we actually have a little room to spare. We can accommodate some pretty good growth.” — Ringwood Superintendent Tom Deighan

    March 13, 2010 1 Photo

  • Hennessey_Expansion_1_BH.jpg Changes in the air

    A big part of the project is to build a new, stand-alone building that will house a new library media center and two new science classrooms.

    March 13, 2010 2 Photos