January 20 to February 14, 2014 NOMADS Project, Mercedes, MS

February 15 (Approximately) to June - Gate Guarding, TX or LA.

June, 2014 - Up to Alaska!

September - NOMADS Annual Meeting, Branson, MO



Saturday, March 9, 2013

Answering Rick's Question

Huntsville, TX

Rick (www.rickpaulettervjournal.blogspot.com)  posed a question regarding gate guarding.  He asked if there were particular problems which would occur to necessitate a gate guard.

Here's why:

When an oil rig is being drilled there is a variety of personnel working on the site.  There are people from the energy company which contracts with other companies to provide their services.  This includes the drilling company, safety personnel, geologists, etc. 

The main person in charge is the "Company Man".   He works for the energy company.   The "tool pusher" is the supervisor for the drilling company.   The geologists are there to inspect the rocks for signs of oil.   Most personnel work 12 hours shifts.  The Company Man works 14 days on, 14 days off.  The geologists are here until the well produces oil.   The drillers at this location work a week on and a week off.  The employees live onsite in trailers.

In addition, other vehicles are coming in and out of the site.  They bring water, fuel, chemicals, pick up trash.  Trucking companies are contracted to take out cuttings, which is the gravel, shale and other stuff that is brought up to the surface by the drill.  "Mud" is also  brought in.  The mud is water and chemicals that help bring up the gravel and stone from the well.   At this site they permit sales people to come in two days a week for 4 hours each day.  

So why gate guards?   Because there is such a variety of personnel in and out both night and day, there needs to be a record on who is on site in case of an emergency.   The gate is not closed and locked but there is a sign stating everyone must stop to register.   We've had a couple of instances where employees of the drilling company decide not to stop.  We've reported it to the Company Man or Tool Pusher and it's been taken care of promptly.   Should it continue the employee becomes an ex-employee.

There has not been an instance yet where anyone has asked to see the traffic log.   We've been told by the gate guarding company that the records are stored in boxes in their facility.   Not long ago in this area there was copper piping stolen from an nearby building.  The records were subpoenaed for the investigation.

During our first week here the Sheriffs department came.   They said that a woman reported her cell phone stolen the night before at a local bar and they traced it's signal to here.   They questioned the people on site.  Two of the young guys claim they "found" it outside the bar.   Yea, so why did they keep it and use it.   I had bad feelings about them from day one.   They left every night around 9 and got back around 3 am.  I was wondering when they slept.  Once they did not stop to log in.   I notice they did not come back on their next shift.  Had it been necessary I have records that they were not here when the cell phone went "missing".

So, why gate guards?   With so many different people and in and out , this is the how records are kept in case of accidents or other emergencies.







7 comments:

Jessica Riker said...

That's a great explanation of what gate guarding is about, Phyllis. :) Thanks, it was very interesting. Harry and I are considering trying to get a gate guarding position next year.

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

Great job Phyllis. When we were in the salt lake in Mission, there was a gate guard there. He was doing double duty. Doing your job and being sure no one drove their car into the salt area. He had to put a hard hat on each time he approached one of the trucks. Do you two have to do that also?

Donna K said...

Great explanation. I too was wondering about the job. You did a great job of explaining it.

Rick said...

Thanks for answering my question. You did a great job of explaining it. There's a lot more to the job than I thought.

owensontheroad said...

Very good explanation!

Elaine said...

very understandable why gate guards..so many in and out...someone needs to keep track for sure...

MargieAnne said...

Safety and protection. Important jobs.

We are on our last full day in Christchurch this trip. See our son in prison again this afternoon then last minute laundry and we are away.

Just in case you are not aware of what we are up to ....

Thought I'd let you know we are heading out to Hawaii in a couple of days. We arrive in Honolulu Thursday morning to be exact. I've set up a separate Blog called Hawaii 2013 which you can find here http://matarangigirl.blogspot.co.nz/ should you want to follow this New Zealand couple abroad. Most of our time in Hawaii will be on Big Island including a few days on a coffee plantation.

Blessings