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.