Brian Crossman is a partner in Estevan-based Independent Well Servicing. The opinions expressed in this column are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of Independent Well Servicing.
The view from and Independent Well Servicing rig at the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show in 2019. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Every two years in Weyburn, Saskatchewan the oil & gas industry holds a fantastic event: the “Bi-Annual Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show.” Many oil producers, contractors, service and supply companies set up their displays and equipment to get together and the show province why this is the best industry to be in. Well, more accurately, a group of hard-working volunteers hold meetings, generate emails, make phone calls and pretty much tell anyone who will listen to make sure the event goes off without a hitch. People like Dan Cugnet, Shane Pollock, Trevor Sealy and Monica Osborne work hard for two years (in their limited spare time) and then a small army of volunteers show up and put it all together. Everyone in the industry should be thankful for the efforts put forth by all these men and women.
The displays are interesting as many vendors take the time from their busy schedules to haul in displays and equipment to showcase what they can provide for the industry. It all starts off with the golf tournament on June 3. This is always a great morning of fun, food and prizes. This year they have added a new event for the afternoon, “The Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings Bronc Match Riding.” Local service rig guy/cowboy Jonathan Kmita is helping set this up and providing the bucking broncs. It sounds like a great event. The evening will be the famous “Steak or Lobster Dinner,” sponsored by Gilliss Casing Services. (These guys always step up and sponsor events like this)
The second morning starts off at 9:30, with the ceremonial “cutting of the chain” by Mayor Marcel Roy. Expect the premier to be there.
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The “Legends Awards Luncheon” obviously begins at lunchtime, at which time the following legends of the Saskatchewan Oil & Gas industry will be recognized for their accomplishments and contributions. These amazing individuals need no introduction, but here is a quick summary:
Darcy Cretin – Area superintendent of Whitecap Resources, currently enjoying his recent retirement. Great leader and strong community supporter.
Dean Gilliss – If you were anywhere near a drilling rig in these parts over the past 50 years you know this man. He is responsible for Gilliss Casing Service and his operation has run more surface, intermediate and long string in this area than anyone, by a lot. His boys Dylan and Logan now run the operation, having bought it back a several years ago. Great guy and a great family business.
Dean Lemieux – NAL superintendent, Dean has forgotten more than guys like me will ever know.
James P. Baker – Jim is a Swift Current born who has a resume too long to repeat here. His involvement with Lateral Vector, Keystone Royalties, Sask Energy, Churchill Energy just scratches the service of is list of accomplishments. A true Saskatchewan success story.
Jim Larter – This man right here worked his way up and was the operational driving force behind several important companies including TriStar, Torc, Whitecap and many others. All this and a great community guy. Hits a nice golf ball, and an Estevan legend.
Independent Well Servicing at the oil show in 2019. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Paul Cheung – Paul has been the driving force behind several businesses in Southeast Saskatchewan. Grand Bow Petroleum, Alliance Energy, Advance Drilling, Alliance Drilling and Independent Well Servicing. He also worked with Mel Grimes to bring the HG pumpjack to Canada, and together they sold 11,000 unites. Mr. Cheung has built these companies based on excellent leadership, being fair to all and earning the respect of his employees and business partners. All this and one of the kindest people you will ever meet, and a man I am proud to call a friend.
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Hall of Fame Inductees come up next:
Myron Stadnyk – Legend of Saskatchewan Oil and Gas, former CEO of ARC Resources, and sits on the board of directors at several energy companies.
Brad Wall – If you don’t know who Brad Wall is, you just moved here from another country or planet. Former Premier of Saskatchewan, all-around legend and good guy. I’m glad his term “Jackwagon” isn’t proprietary, as I would owe Brad some serious cash.
Southeast Sask Oil Person for 2024 is Ryan Bernie, a fella from the Wawota area and VP of operations at Element Technical Services operationally based in Carlyle, but also has operations in the United States. Ryan was instrumental in building this Saskatchewan success story.
Saskatchewan Oil Person for 2024 is Del Mondor of Aldon Oils fame. Del and his crew took a small family oil company and made it into a big Saskatchewan success story. Del also was chairman of the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show committee for several terms. The Mondor family is a Weyburn institution and Del is a true community leader.
But don’t take my word for all this, come on out and congratulate these leaders of our industry live in person at the show. These are all outstanding individuals and deserve our respect and recognition.
On the third morning, a bunch of us righands representing many companies in the area got together and sponsored a “Safety Stand Down.” When I made the phone calls to ask for donations to sponsor this event, the people couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough. (Some damn good people in this business!) The keynote speaker is non-other than Tyler Smith, survivor of the Humbolt Broncos bus crash. (A tragic event that affected Saskatchewan and the entire country.) Tyler will speak about overcoming adversity, mental health and. Local high school students will be brought in for breakfast, listen to a great speaker and get a tour of the oil show, and maybe consider the industry as a career in the very near future. If you can make it, I highly recommend this event. You will not be disappointed. I will give more details in an upcoming column.
There y’all have it. It’s a great event to re-connect with old friends and make some new ones. If you possibly can, do your best to come out and see some of the best the energy industry has to offer. Walk around, take in all the booths and displays and listen to what all the good people have to say about what they contribute to the energy industry.
Brian Crossman is a partner at Independent Well Servicing, based in Estevan. He strongly advises to attend the show if you are able, you won’t regret it. Plus, all the cool trucks and equipment are big fun to look at, just saying.
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- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
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- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
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