Groundbreaking Held for Chandler Field Development.

May 21, 2012

Dear Readers -

New permanent housing is popping up all over the oil patch. Jeff Zarling, organizer of the Bakken Housing Summit said, from what he heard at the conference between 7,000 and 9,000 housing units are in the planning or permitting stages in Dickinson, Minot, williston and Watford City!

Barbara Peterson

Writer, Williston Wire

North Dakota Number 2 in Oil Production

Star Tribune

It probably had to happen someday. The oil boom in North Dakota has made it the nation's No. 2 oil producing state, edging past Alaska in March. This comes just four months after North Dakota surpassed California in oil output -- a dramatic testament to drilling techniques that are extracting ever more crude from previously inaccessible shale layers. The state of North Dakota released data Monday showing that in March 6,603 wells in the state produced 17.8 million barrels of oil, or 575,490 barrels per day. That's just ahead of Alaska's 17.6 million barrels, according to that state's monthly production data. To be fair, said Bruce Hicks, assistant director of North Dakota's Oil and Gas Division, Alaska's oil production has slipped recently, and its output can fluctuate month to month, so the two states probably will stay close for a time. See Entire Story.

Groundbreaking Held for 1,344 Apartment Units in Williston

News Release

The Chandler Field development officially got underway recently. Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony from left to right are Tom Rolfstad, Williston Economic Development director; Williston Mayor Ward Koeser; David Gitlitz, CEO of North by Northwest, LLC; Governor Jack Dalrymple; Orville and Jenelle Loomer, previous owners of the property.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Williston-area officials recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new development project that includes the construction of 1,344 new apartment units in Williston. North By Northwest Development, a Colorado-based company, began construction today of Chandler Field, a 100-acre development that will include apartments, retail space and a 157-room hotel. "The Chandler Field development is an important part of the progress underway in Williston to meet the growing community's needs for housing and to provide residents with more commercial services," Dalrymple said. "Chandler Field will enrich the quality of life in the community of Williston. See Entire Story.

Builder Says Oil Boom Best Opportunity in Decades

Forum Communiciations Co./Dickinson Press

More than 350 people participated in the 2012 Bakken Housing Summit in Williston recently.

During the Bakken Housing Summit, Salt Lake City real estate developer Michael Milner sent this text to his colleague: "Think big! Think real! Think fun!" Milner, managing member of American Landmark Group with 40 years of experience in the building industry, said the long-term development opportunities provided by the oil boom in western North Dakota are exciting. "Without federal interference, this will be one of the most significant economic opportunities this country has had in the last 50 to 100 years," Milner said. See Entire Story.

Housing Expert says Williston Needs 7,000 Homes as Soon as Possible

Forum Communiciations Co./Dickinson Press

In the Bakken, the latest slogan is, "Build, baby, build." At the Bakken Housing Summit more than 350 people from 33 states attended, representing developers, builders, investors and others in the construction industry. Peter Elzi, principal of THK Associates, who does market feasibility work for builders and developers, told attendees that Williston has an immediate need for 7,000 homes. Over the next decade, Williston will need about 25,000 homes, said Elzi, whose Colorado firm has been working in the Bakken for two years. See Entire Story.

Land Owners Prove to be Good Stewards

Williston Economic Development

by Barb Peterson

Williston Mayor Ward Koeser; Sarah Hagan; Shannon Hagan; and W.N. "Neil" McMurry, Founder of Granite Peak Development participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Sand Creek Town Centre recently.

Governor Jack Dalrymple joins Orville and Jenelle Loomer in a groundbreaking ceremony at Chandler Field recently.

The countryside around Williston continues to change. Property that once featured an RV Park, family horseback rides and "buried treasure" will now house apartment buildings, restaurants, hotels and retail space. Kathleen Hagan recently parted with land that will house the future Sand Creek Town Centre. Granite Peak Terry Metlzer praised the Hagan family for their contribution to the project. "We've been very privileged to work with the Hagan family and we are happy to be here," he said during a recent groundbreaking event. Kathleen, who has lived in Williston since 1947, said she was excited to be a part of the change in Williston. "I am really thrilled; it is going to be a wonderful addition to our city. We are happy to see the progress." See Entire Story.

Oil Production and Infrastructure Growth Soar Across Bakken

The American Oil & Gas Reporter

Soaring oil production spurs infrastructure growth across the booming Bakken Play. Photo courtesy American Oil & Gas Reporter.

Five years into the Williston Basin's historic oil boom, operators and municipalities find themselves wrestling with infrastructure challenges many regions would love to face: crude oil transportation constraints brought on by surging production, and maxed-out municipal services in a rural region with a rapidly expanding population that is bursting at the seams. Across North Dakota, demand is off the charts for everything from drilling rigs and pumping units to housing and office space, driven by a blistering pace of activity in the Bakken Shale play. The number of producing Bakken/Three Forks wells in North Dakota has expanded by more than 700 percent (from 470 to 3,377) over the past four years, and daily oil production in the state skyrocketed from 36,000 barrels in January 2008 to 481,000 barrels in January 2012-a nearly 14-fold increase! See Entire Story.

State to Help with Law Enforcement Housing in Oil Patch

Forum Communications Co./Dickinson Press

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem recently announced that the state wil help subsidize housing for law enforcement in the oil patch.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced recently he's directing $3 million from the state's share of a lawsuit settlement to subsidize housing for law enforcement in the Oil Patch. Stenehjem, speaking at the Bakken Housing Conference in Williston, said law enforcement agencies in the oil and gas producing counties are getting qualified applicants, but they can't afford the housing costs in those communities. "Are we having issues with housing? Absolutely," Dickinson Police Department Capt. David Wilkie said. "The entire city is having issues with housing. Not just the public sector, but the private sector too. You bring anybody into the city right now and there's no place to live." See Entire Story.

Dickinson Closer to Getting First Crew Camp

Forum Communiciations Co./Jamestown Sun

Dickinson is on its way to getting its first crew camp. At a recent meeting in City Hall, the Dickinson Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously gave Accommodate International of Austin, Texas, the green light to build a 3,000-unit lodging facility on about 45 acres on Energy Drive on the east side of town. The company needs to get final approval from the Dickinson City Commission before it breaks ground by the end of summer. See Entire Story.

Dunn County Drops Crew Camp Moratorium

Forum Communiciations Co./Dickinson Press

A resident walks through the halls of the Target Logistics Dunn County Lodge.

Dunn County will lift its crew camp moratorium June 1. The Board of County Commissioners decided at its recent meeting that it will also ask the planning and zoning committee to set parameters on the number of beds and locations if different from what is stated in the zoning ordinance. he committee will return with its recommendations at the June 6 county commissioners meeting. "We need a place for these people to stay," said Commissioner Tim Steffan. "If there is no place for these people to stay, they're going to stay in all of these other places, but I think we need restrictions on them. Zero tolerance." See Entire Story.

Groundbreaking Held for Western North Dakota Water Project

Forum Communications Co./Jamestown Sun

Gov. Jack Dalrymple and state Sen. John Andrist, center, participate in a groundbreaking ceremony with other officials for a Western Area Water Supply Project pipeline between Crosby, N.D., and Wildrose, N.D. Picture courtesy Forum Communications Co.

A $110 million pipeline project will bring high-quality drinking water to areas of northwest North Dakota that desperately need it, officials said recently. Some independent water providers say this state-backed project will compete with private sales of water to the oil industry, but supporters of the project say there's enough business to go around. Gov. Jack Dalrymple attended a groundbreaking ceremony near Crosby on to celebrate the construction of a Western Area Water Supply Project pipeline between Crosby and Wildrose, N.D. See Entire Story.

Record Crowd Expected for Williston Basin Petroleum Conference and Expo May 22-24 in Bismarck

Petroleum News Bakken/AP

By May 12, restaurants, rental cars and hotels were already booked and Bismarck, N.D.'s airport was expecting an impressive fleet of oil company-owned business jets to crowd the tarmac for the three-day North Dakota oil conference and expo. The Williston Basin Petroleum Conference and Expo is set for May 22-24 at the Bismarck Civic Center, the event is the biggest ever scheduled in Bismarck, said Sheri Grossman, Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau's director of sales. "We're really excited," Grossman said. "It's really a nice way to showcase Bismarck and Mandan, as well as the entire state." Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, said some 4,000 people are expected to attend the conference. See Entire Story.

Two Job Fairs to be Held in Williston June 4-5

Williston Herald

Williston State College will be having two job fairs June 4-5. The first one on June 4 will be from 1-7 p.m. and will be for Commercial Driving License (CDL) only. It will be for those seeking Class A CDL, Class A CDL Permit, Class B CDL, Class B CDL Permit and Class C CDL. This will also include endorsements such as Hazardous Material, Tank Vehicle, Doubles or Triples and Air Brakes. On June 5 the second job fairs will take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This job fair will be open to all employers and all positions. Shawn Wenko, the Assistant Director for Williston Economic Development said they hope the job fair will benefit both job seekers and employers. "We estimate that at any given time, there are 3,000 job openings in the Williston area with hundreds of employers seeking employees," Wenko said. See Entire Story. Job Seekers Fair Flyer.

Great Plains YP Summit June 6-8 in Minot

News Release

The Great Plains Young Professionals (GPYP) Summit is scheduled for June 6-8 at the Grand International Inn, Minot. The event is hosted by the Minot Young Professionals and the North Dakota Young Professionals (NDYP) Network. The GPYP Summit is one of the only regional conferences geared towards the professional development needs of 21 & up - a truly unique experience. It is packed with top notch speakers, interesting and timely breakout sessions, and plenty of opportunities to network with other young professionals. Great Plains YP Summit.

Faces of the Oil Patch Photos on Display at NDSU through June 7

News Release

An exhibit of 94 photos showing life in the oil patch of western North Dakota is on display until June 7 in the Memorial Union Gallery at North Dakota State University. he photos in the exhibit, titled "Faces of the Oil Patch," were taken by Fargo native Wayne Gudmundson. The themes of the 11 photo groupings are landscapes, ranchers, rig workers, wives, Bakken Central/trucks, assorted workers, reservation, road conditions, law enforcement, housing, realtors and help wanted. Each grouping is accompanied by a quote. See Entire Story. Wayne Gudmundson Photography.

Williston Shows its Support for Gormally's Olympic Bid

Williston Economic Development

Carissa Gormally will vie for a coveted spot on the USA Olympic Swimming Team June 25-July 2, 2012. A Sendoff Party was held recently in Williston to wish her good luck.

"You can do this," was the theme of the Sendoff Party for 2012 Olympic hopeful Carissa Gormally. Gormally, who began her swimming career at age four in Williston, is trying to earn a coveted spot on the US Olympic Swimming Team. The sendoff party showed Gormally the strong support she has from her hometown. About 100 friends, community members, former teammates and coaches participated in the energizing event at the Old Armory. Gormally has 36 more days of training until the Olympic Team Trials June 25-July 2 in Omaha, Neb. She will compete in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle. The top two swimmers in each event will make the US Olympic Team. Meanwhile, another standout swimmer with Williston ties will also be competing at the Olympic Trials in June. Fifteen year old Katie Ledecky is the granddaughter of Kathleen Hagan of Williston and the daughter of Dave and Mary Gen (Hagan) Ledecky. They reside in Bethesda, MD. Ledecky is qualified in the 100-, 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyle. Team Carissa Website. Katie Ledecky Vies for London Olympics. Olympic Trials Ticket Information.

Oil Exec Makes Impromptu $20K Donation to Billings Homeless Shelter on Mother's Day

Billings Gazette

Sam Tallis made a donation of $20,000 to the Montana Rescue Mission Women's and Family Shelter in Billings on Mother's Day.

Sam Tallis was sitting at Stella's Kitchen and Bakery in Billings recently, eating breakfast alone and watching the happy families celebrating Mother's Day. It made him think of his own mother, who lives in his home state of Texas, and then he looked across the street to the Montana Rescue Mission Women's and Family Shelter. "I'm missing my mom a little bit and I see everybody (in Stella's) smiling," he said. "Then I looked across the street, and I didn't see those smiles. It made me want to go over there and help." And he did just that. Tallis, walked across the street and cut a check to the shelter for $20,000. See Entire Story.

Upcoming Energy Events

05/22-24 20th Annual Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

Bismarck, ND, Bismarck Civic Center. https://www.wbpcnd.org/

05/30-31 Bakken Tight Oil Congress

Denver, CO, Marriot City Center. http://www.bakken-tight-oil.com/

06/11-14 North Dakota Petroleum Council Teacher Seminar

Bismarck, ND. Seminar is Full. http://www.ndoil.org/?id=88

07/24 Bakken Rocks Cookfest

Ray, ND. http://www.ndoil.org/?id=125&page=Bakken+Rocks+CookFest

07/26 Bakken Rocks Cookfest

Belfield, ND. http://www.ndoil.org/?id=125&page=Bakken+Rocks+CookFest

09/19-20 North Dakota Petroleum Council Annual Meeting

Medora, ND.

Upcoming Williston Events

5/23 Relay For Life Taco in a Bag Drive Up Fundraiser

American State Bank & Trust Co. Relay For Life Team is holding a drive up Taco-in-a-Bag fundraiser! Serving 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Station. Complete meal for $6.00. All proceeds to Relay For Life.

05/23 Center to Celebrate Older Americans Day
Celebrate Older Americans Day at the Williston Senior Center at 18 Main St. Williston ND. All senior citizens are invited for this day. Activies will begin at 10:15 a.m. There will be a raffle on a blanket made by the craft group. Also door prize drawings and lunch at 11:30 a.m. The day will conclude with an ice cream social at about 2:30 p.m. Reservations for the lunch ARE required, so please call 701 577 6751 for more information.

05/24 Foster Parenting Event
A foster care informatinoal meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at the Williston PATH Office, located at 1135 2nd Ave W (behind Sherwin Williams) For more information, and to RSVP to this meeting call Sarah Anderson at 701 572 7650.

05/25 Links Logistics CDL Job Fair
Link Logistics CDL Job Fair Links Logistics is hiring 30 drivers and growing. They provide housing in the sleeper truck and will have housing available in the near future. They presently have a "truck stop" where drivers can shower, watch TV, wash cloths etc. They offer $500.00 sign on bonus in the first check and $500.00 after 90 days. Two years OR 100,000 tractor trailer experience and a CLEAN driving record required. Three weeks on one week off. Apply online at linkslogistics.com. The Job Fair will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 25th at Williston Job Service, 422 1st Ave W., Williston, ND, 58801.

05/27 Operation Graduation

Registration for Operation Graduation for Williston High School and Trinity Christian School will be from 8-9 p.m. at the Williston High School Commons area. For more information, please call 701 577 4721.