Reader Responses

After studying Petroleum Engineering for six years and 49 years working on drilling rigs, I consider myself blessed for the experiences of their existence. We (drill crews) once were castigated as "Oil Field Trash." I believe there is plenty of trash in the world but it's not the drill crews. In 1958, one year before I graduated from UT Austin, there were 3,000 land rigs working every day (24-7) in the U.S. (check it out). Gasoline was 20 cents/gallon and crude was $2-3 a barrel.

That is what 3,000 running rigs have done for the country, when they were once welcome. It was a competitive, non-contrived market economy industry, run by pros who respected the people and the country. Then, for whatever reasons, commenced the political moves to get the rigs out of the country and they left to go where they were welcome. After 50 years of declining rig activity, are we better off?

It's my view that the fish loved the offshore rigs, that's where the best fishing always was when there were rigs running. Bears, coons & wildlife hung around the land rigs because roughnecks befriended them and enjoyed each other's company (plus the occasional roughneck handouts).

I've long been a John McCain supporter but if he doesn't immediately become an advocate for total U.S. drilling then in my view he's a goner and will deserve it. If I can't vote for John McCain, I won't vote.

The bottom line is: Everywhere drilling rigs have gone in the past, nothing but prosperity has resulted from their presence.

Where are you Joe Zeppa & Mike Halbouty, now that we really need you all?

Whatever the country needs to do to get out of this self-inflicted mess, we've got to drill to be able to acquire time and resources to get something done.

Gary Hall
Tyler