Scrollers...Pioneer Work over Rigs...Williston, North Dakota

Pioneer Energy Services work over rig #1, Bakken Shale, near Williston, North Dakota

My first commercial job was for a guy I met on an airplane. He found out I was an amateur photographer and asked if I would come to Lulling, Texas to shoot his work over rig. When I showed the pictures of that rusty old rig to some executives in San Antonio they said it made them sweat just looking at it. 

Pioneer Energy Services work over rig and crew,Bakken Shale, near Williston, N.D.

But they liked the pictures and I am still shooting for one of those fellows. This assignment is due to that hot, hot day in Lulling almost twenty years ago. Work over rigs are still special to me.

Pioneer Energy Services work over rig employee Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

In a previous job story about Pioneer's Bakken wireline trucks  I mentioned there were two pictures I should have taken but didn't. The second one was when one of the men on a work over rig showed me a steel screen just under his scalp. He had an accident while working for a less safety conscious company. Working one day without a hard hat, a piece of metal fell from on high and drove itself into his skull. 

Work over rig professional Pioneer Energy Services in the Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

The doctor says it broke thru the bone to the extent he would need a steel screen over what would ever be a "hole in his head". It was amazing it was as if he had a miniature screen door right beneath the skin. I snugged down my hard hat and went back to work with a changed attitude. 

Six pump jacks in a row with Pioneer Energy Services Work over rig #1 servicing far pump, Bakken Shale near Williston,  North Dakota

The was the first real proof of absolutely needing to wear a hard hat. I am now a believer. I should have gotten a picture to be used to help others understand the dangers involved in the oil field. But again hindsight is better than the job sight tunnel vision.

Men at work, work over rig, Pioneer Energy Services, Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

The gentlemen in question, after a lengthy hospitalization is one of the men in these pictures. I don't have to tell you he needs no prompting to wear his hat now.

"Rolling pipe" for work over rig, Pioneer Energy Services, Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

When Greg Paluck and I were on our way to shoot wireline trucks I saw Pioneer work over rig number 1 on the job site near the highway. I asked Greg to stop so we could get a better look. 

"At work" for Pioneer Energy Services in the Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

From the road, we couldn't tell if it was one of "our" rigs. We drove in and saw it was. I was amazed at the six pump jacks in a row. I had seen pump jacks close like in Taft, California but never six in a perfect line and only 20 feet apart.

A better view of Pioneer Energy Services work over Rig #1 and the unique drilling grid used in the Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

I decided to rush on and shoot the wireline trucks, as planned. The sky was gloomy, spitting snow but maybe, just maybe it would brighten up the next day when I was scheduled to shoot work over rigs. 

"Focused" professional working work over rig for Pioneer Energy Services in the Bakken Shale near  Williston, North Dakota

I think you can see in the pictures it didn't happen. As a matter of fact, it was colder, darker, snowing harder and blowing like the big bad wolf by the time I got back the next morning. 

Rolling that cold cold pipe for Pioneer Energy Services in the Bakken Shale, near Williston, North Dakota

It was something like -3 with sustained 25 mph winds when I did get around to shooting what has become some of my favorite photographs.

Work over professionals with balmy temperature of 24 degrees, PIoneer Energy Services, the Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

The next day I was scheduled to shoot for the work over folks. The first thing I wanted to do was to go back to Rig #1 to shoot that multiple pump jack shot. The next one was a cluttered location. The rig was good but hard to see amidst all the other equipment.

Another view of Pioneer Energy Services Work over Rig #1 in the Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

 A good clean shot was impossible. I was however impressed with the steady hard work of the men under such cold conditions. They became my subjects instead of the rig.

These professionals take this work very seriously as you can tell by their expressions in these pictures. Pioneer Energy Services personnel in the Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

I spent several days shooting the Bakken for Pioneer. I always prefer sunshine and blue skies to create pretty pictures of the big iron. I think we got four hours of sun in six days. So we made lemonade as they say.

There will always be a need for strong men with the will to accomplish and prosper. That's the oil field in a nutshell.

My appreciation goes out to Terry Lynch and Kirk Carmody of Pioneer Energy Services. Terry was kind enough to coordinate and encourage my visit and Kirk was a guide "par excellence". Kirk called me a week later to let me know it was snowing and the cows had snow on their backs.

This article brought to you by the usual suspect @:

                               John B. Boykin 

            "The Hard Hat Photographer"

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Life's purpose is not to arrive at the grave in good shape, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, eyes bloodshot, hair smoking, hollering "Holy Crap !! ...What a ride!"