Scrollers....Pioneer Wireline....Williston, North Dakota

Pioneer Wireline truck on drilling rig winter zero temp Williston, North Dakota, Bakken Shale

Wireline trucks are fun. I've shot them for Well Servicing Magazine for almost 20 years. In January of 2013 I was sent to the Bakken Shale activity to shoot three divisions of Pioneer Energy Services. The Williston, North (by gosh) Dakota winter shoot was my first photographic adventure with zero degree temperatures. 

I decided I would do the wireline portion first. There was a reason. Greg Paluck, the district manager for the Pioneer Wireline division, is an amateur photographer. In our pre-trip call he had some good ideas. But more importantly he understood there are trials and tribulations when using camera gear in sub zero weather. 

Pioneer Energy Services wireline unit at work zero degrees Bakken Shale, North Dakota

The extreme cold conditions made me nervous. Would the batteries hold up if they got really, really cold ? Would the computerized digital cameras function as well or better than their film predecessors ? What about the moving parts in the zoom lenses would they freeze up ? What effect would static electricity have on the memory cards ? Greg really didn't have those answers. 

Pioneer Energy Services Wireline unit Bakken Shale, North Dakota winter 

There were a couple of small glitches but I was unable to tell if it was the software in the brand new super high tech camera, static electricity or numb, fat, gloved fingers. In any case it was good to have a somewhat kindred soul along for the first night and day of the job.

Interior of the wireline unit with Josh at the helm for Pioneer Energy Services, Bakken Shales, winter, near Williston, North Dakota. 

After checking into the hotel I called Greg. He picked me up and away we went for some of Williston's finest dining. Finest, that is, if your into mystery fish patties or pressed steak fingers. The steak fingers couldn't touch the famous Andrews, Texas cafe's recipe. The fish I will leave to your imagination. 

Crane operator on winter wireline job for Pioneer Energy Services in the Bakken Shale near Williston, North Dakota

After dinner, we headed out into the country and the night. The temperature was sitting on Zero and nothing indicated relief before morning. I think it finally "warmed" up to minus three while we did our night shots. We finished up the evening before midnight and made plans for the following day.

Early the next morning, I met Greg at the wireline office where I was introduced to all the nice folks. After introductions we headed to the field under gray skies and light snowfall. Luckily we were blessed with a fresh breeze and temps at a balmy 2 degrees above. 

Greg and Josh confer inside wireline truck cabin, zero degree night Bakken Shale, Williston, N.D.

As an outdoor photographer who shoots large objects I have come to dread gray skies. They cause my light colored cranes, towers and rigs to blend into the gray, gloomy background. I hate it. 

In North Dakota, you drive long distances. No matter where you're going, it is always a long, long way. 

Two Pioneer Energy Services professionals preparing for down hole procedure, minus 2 temperature, Bakken Shale, near Williston, North Dakota

Greg and I were hell bent on getting to the location before weather could shut us down. It seemed to take forever to get from one location to another.

Pioneer Energy Services professional at work in minus zero temps, Bakken Shale near Williston, N.D.

I hope you will enjoy the wireline pictures. The guys were great and Greg was the perfect guide.

This article brought to you by one of the usual suspects:

                               John B. Boykin 

                          "The Hard Hat Photographer"

    San Antonio        Midland         Williston         The World

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