south texas gold

2 Winter 2012 SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Alice Newspapers Inc.

Alice Newpapers Inc. south texAs gold winter 2012 3

“Providing Quality Services in Fabrication & Repair”

P.O. Box 68600 S. Johnson • Alice, Texas 78332

Cell: 361-701-2081

Office: (361) 664-2848Fax: (361) 664-2343

email: [email protected]

• General Machine Shop & Welding Services• Manufacture & Rebuild Draw-Works Parts• Rebuild Agitator Assemblies• Rebuild Hydromatic Assemblies• Manufacture Derrick & Sub Structure Pins• Bore & Keyway Couplings• Repair HI-Pressure Flanges/Ring Grooves• Repair Shafts/Bearing Houses• Manufacture/Repair Tailrollers• Manufacture 5th Wheel Pin & Box

JULIAN ORTIZ, SR.

“American Ingenuity”Independence in Energy • Independence for America

119 N. King St. • Alice, Texas • (361) 664-3421WWW.EDWARDSFURNITURECO.COM

The Eagle Ford Shale and other Oilfield Prints

alsoIn Stock

Now Available At...

7260

7

SUNBELT MILL SUPPLYFor your Safety &

Industrial SuppliesOvernight Delivery

7715 Grissom Road • San Antonio, Texas 782511-800-753-3654 • (210) 522-1525

[email protected]

7217

8

Hotels, restaurantsand others taking advantage of economic upswing

By Julie Neal

Empty restaurants and hotels are a thing of the past in Alice as the area experiences a swell in jobs and people because of the oil boom.

Keith and Judy Kapoor lived in Virginia before deciding it was time for a change in weather.

"We wanted to move to warmer weather and what better place than Texas, right?" Judy said.

Initially, the pair moved to Corpus Christi, but when that didn't work out the Kapoors moved to Al-ice to manage the Holiday Inn Express. Judy cited 2009 as a really slow year for all the area hotels, but saw that change soon after.

"It's picked up since last year, and all the hotels are having a healthy competi-tion with each other," she said.

The Holiday Inn Ex-press is busiest during the week when oilfield men often need a place to stay at the last minute.

"There are times that we hardly have rooms, actu-ally," Judy said.

The weekend traffic usually consists of leisure travelers, ones that need somewhere to stay for re-unions, funerals or school functions.

"Oilfield is unpredict-able," Judy cautioned. "They can make our week-ends busy, too."

Initially, Keith said companies would use their facility for training or con-ferences, but thinks with company expansion, oil companies have probably built their own facilities.

With the influx of pa-trons also came a huge in-crease in revenue, which

BoomTown

Rollie's South Texas BBQ and Coun-try Store is booming with business after the oilfield boom brought several com-pany yards within walking distance.

JULIE NEAL

As oilfields thrive, so does South Texas

(See BOOM, Page 4)

the Kapoors said is good for the entire city.

"I think it's good for ev-erybody here in Alice actu-ally because of the oil that all the restaurants and the hotels are keeping busy," she said. "It's bringing in good revenue for all of us."

One area that could be improved is entertain-ment, Keith said. He wants to see Alice offer more to his customers than a sports bar or Chili's. Judy said the only thing for oil-field workers to do is go get drunk.

"The town is smiling because it's busier," Judy said. "Now, we only need more entertainment."

The Kapoors expect the growing business trend to continue and said other hotels are expanding and new ones area being built to accommodate the pro-jected numbers.

"I think, as we hear from the oilfield guys, this trend should continue for the next 10 or 20 years," Judy said.

While oilfield workers need a place to sleep, res-taurants have seen lunch lines out the door for the short lunch hour when everyone descends into town.

Leti Saenz, manager of Cowboy's BBQ Station, said her business is packed

during the lunch hour. "We have lines all the

way outside," she said. "People sitting outside waiting."

The BBQ joint has been open for nine years, but Saenz said business has re-ally picked up in the last three.

"We're quick, we're fast, and we're busy," she said. "We try to get everyone out of here as fast as we can, because I know they only have an hour."

Saenz joked she hopes

business slows down but doesn't see that happen-ing anytime soon. Despite increasing prices to cover rising material costs, Saenz said they are busier than ever.

Three years ago, Rojelio Cuellar Jr. opened a small barbecue stand in what he considered the middle of nowhere.

"When we first built here, we were the only business out here in the middle of nowhere, out in the middle of this field," he said.

Now, Rollie's South Tex-as BBQ and Country Store is surrounded by four oil company yards with two

more planned. "In the last year, we've

seen a lot of growth," Cuel-lar said. "Our sales have increased to 30 almost 40 percent."

Like Cowboy's, Cuel-lar said Rollie's has upped their supply to meet the demand of the lunch rush.

"We've seen a lot of growth, especially from the oilfield," he said. "We try to get the food out as fast as we can. They want to come in, eat and leave."

The store owner also ex-pects business to boom for several years to come, but said regardless, you will be able to find him doing what he loves.


C& J Energy Services has immediate opportunities available in their

Frac and Coiled Tubing Departments including:• Field Engineers • Operators

• Supervisors • Operator AssistantsCDL preferred. Must have valid DL and pass a pre-employment

physical and drug screen. C&J Energy offers competitive starting pay and benefits that

include paid holidays, vacation, medical, 401K and more.Apply online at www.cjenergy.com or call 361-767-0109 to

speak with staffing specialist.DRUG FREE, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Service DivisionsRobstown, TX • Carrizo Springs, TX • Marshall, TX • Midland, TX • Elk City, OK

Join Our Team

www.CJEnergy.com

COMMERCIAL &FLEET SALES& SERVICEWITH

361-516-0011

Down time is bad time. With BusinessLink, You get FREE Services to FREE You Up For YOUR BUSINESS. Check with us at Blake Fulenwider to find out how we can keep YOU on the job.

That’s OUR job.

NEXTDAYSERVICE

2151 N. Hwy 77 / Kingsville, Texas / blakekingsvilledodge.com

4500/5500 AVAILABLE

Now offering Evinrude Re-

powers

South Texas Marine Center

3832 E. Hwy. 44

Alice, Texas

361 664-6193

www.southtexasmarine.com

Re-Power with an Evinrude Outboard

today

7227

9

BoomContinued from Page 3

JULIE NEAL

Above, After experiencing a slow period, Keith and Judy Kapoor, managers of Holiday Inn Express, now have to turn away customers during the week when oilfield workers come looking for rooms. Below, Leti and Mario Saenz, along with Amanda Gonzalez, try to keep up with the demand at Cowboy's BBQ Station in Alice. Their goal is to get people in and out as quickly as possible with lines that wind out the door.

The Eagle Ford Shale is a hydrocarbon

producing formation of significant impor-tance due to its capa-bility of producing both gas and more oil than other traditional shale plays.

It contains a much higher carbonate shale percentage, upwards to 70 percent in south Texas, and becomes shallower and the shale content increases as it moves to the northwest. The high percentage of carbonate makes it more brittle and “fracable.” The shale play trends across Texas from the Mexican border up into East Texas, roughly 50 miles wide and 400 miles long with an average thickness of 250 feet. It is Cretaceous in age, resting between the Austin Chalk and the Buda Lime at a depth of approximately 4,000 to 12,000 feet. It is the source rock for the Austin Chalk and the gi-ant East Texas Field. The name has often been mis-spelled as “Eagleford.”

There were 368 produc-ing oil leases on schedule in 2011; 72 producing oil leases in 2010; and 40 pro-ducing oil leases in 2009. There were 550 producing gas wells on schedule in

2011; 158 producing gas wells in 2010; and 67 pro-ducing gas wells in 2009.

History of the Eagle Ford

It is named for the town of Eagle Ford, Texas where it can be seen on the surface as clay soil. Eagle Ford, Texas is approxi-mately 6 miles west of Dallas, Texas. An outcrop of the Eagle Ford Shale can be seen in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Petrohawk drilled the first of the Eagle Ford wells in 2008, discover-ing in the process the Hawkville (Eagle Ford) Field in La Salle County (District 1). The discovery well flowed at a rate of 7.6 million cubic feet of gas per day from a 3,200-foot lateral (first perforation 11,141 feet total vertical depth) with 10 frac stages.Originally, there were 30 plus fields, however, due to field consolidations, the number of fields has been reduced to currently 16 fields located within the Railroad Commission Districts 1 thru 6 and the fields cover 24 counties. The wells in the deeper part of the play deliver a dry gas, but moving northeastward out of District 1 and updip, the wells produce more liquids. One of the fields discovered in District 2 is actually an oil field (Eag-leville) (Eagle Ford)). The major operators joining Petrohawk in drilling the

Eagle Ford Shale Play are Anadarko, Apache, Atlas, EOG, Lewis Petro, Geo Southern, Pioneer, SM Energy and XTO to name just a few.

Source: The Railroad Commission

Alice Newspapers Inc. SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Winter 2012 5

THE

“THE WORKING MAN’S FAVORITE STORE”Work Boot

SIZE 17

OVER 60 STYLESSAFETY TOE

BOOTS & SHOES

(361) 853-40055230 Kostoryz Rd. Corpus Christi, TX

EaglE Ford ShalE

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary:

shale \shal\ —a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition

Definition...FOR YOUR INFORMATION

PETE GARCIA

One of many oilrigs tapped into the Eagle Ford Shale north of Three Rivers towers over the South Texas horizon.

6 Winter 2012 SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Alice Newspapers inc.

Platinum Slickline, based in Alice, Texas, is centrally located for well completion services throughout South Texas. Using sound business management strategies and

specific job objectives, we are able to diligently complete your service requests reliable, safely, and at minimal cost to our customers. Quality Slickline Services since

1998. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week including Holidays. With over 100 years combined experience, we are the premier choice for your Slickline

needs. We use the latest technology available in the industry and strictly adhere to all safety standards.

Services Provided• Slickline Depth Measurement

• Well Gauging• Bailing

• Dump Bailing• Running/pulling Flow Controls

• Shifting Open or Close Circulating Devices

• Broaching• Wireline Fishing

• Running Test Tools• Hole Finding

• Bottom Hole Fluid Sampling• BHP Surveys (Electronic and

Mechanical)• Gas Lift Electronic Fast Response

Tool Survey• Fluid Division

• Coil Tubing Drillouts• Water base/Oil base

• Mud Engineering• Brine Blends

“We Do It Better Under Pressure”

PLATINUMSLICKLINE & FLUIDS

P.O. Box 1847 • Alice, TX 78333OFF: (361) 396-0888 • FAX: (361) 668-3717

www.platinumslickline.com

R WGGONZALEZOFFICE PRODUCTS INC.

WE OFFER:OFFICE SUPPLIES • OFFICE FURNITURE

CLEANING & BEDROOM PRODUCTSINK & TONER • CUSTOM STAMPS,

NAME BADGES & MORE

www. GonzalezOP.comOfc. 361.449.3595 • Fax. 361.727.9997Showroom Open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Located at 102 Hwy. 35 N, Rockport (next door to Pawelek Meats)

SERVICING BUSINESSES THROUGHOUTTHE COASTAL BEND

Companies paying as much as $24 a meal for workers out in the field

By Pete Garcia

It’s the early morning hours of Thanksgiving — the sun isn’t even up yet — and Jesus “Jesse” Garcia and his four sons are thankful.

The Garcias are up to their waists in turkey and ribeye steaks. They’re tired from hours and hours or cooking, but they’re grateful, and most of all, they’re thankful.

When most families are gath-ering for a peaceful meal, Garcia and his boys— they range in age from 13 to 21 and they all share their father’s first name — are preparing a feast fit for an army, only this army is a group of more than 400 oilfield workers spread out on 15 different rigs all tapped into the Eagle Ford Shale.

The meal the Garcias are pre-paring consists of 400 ribeye steaks, 18 turkeys and all the fix-ings anyone would expect to go along with a traditional Thanks-giving meal.

Garcia smiles when he de-scribes the mammoth meal; then

he thanks God, something he does a lot these days.

See, he and his family are sitting on a small gold mine. The oilfield work generated by the Eagle Ford Shale boom has turned the family’s small gordita stand into a profitable full-scale catering operation. 5 J’s Catering Service caters to Weatherford workers working on El Paso

Corporation sites around Cotul-la near the heart all the oilfield work.

The catering service handles the workers’ meals for seven days every other week. An aver-age work days includes prepar-ing a hearty lunch in the morn-ing at the 5 J’s Catering kitchen in a small building along State Highway 44 between Alice and

San Diego and transporting it to the worksites. Once there, Gar-cia’s oldest sons, Jesus Mateo and Jesus Josue, prepare dinner on site. Then, there are other ca-tering jobs for other oilfield com-panies.

“Thank God, because through him all of this is possible,” Gar-

Amid all the work, oilfield catering business, like their food, is good

ChowTime

PETE GARCIA

Pictured are Jesus Manuel, 13; Jesus Josue, 19; Jesue Adrian, 18; Norma Garcia; Jesus Mateo, 21; and Jesse Garcia. Together the family runs 5 J's Catering Service, which serves meals to workers out in the oilfield.

(See CATERING, Page 7)

Alice Newspapers Inc. SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Winter 20127

664-6593

7226

9

Aycock Oil Co., Inc.

Serving South Texas With Fuel & Lubricant Since 1926

Office: 1238 S. Hwy 281

cia said. “We started off small, but with all the work, we’ve been lucky to get our foot in the door.”

And the venture has been financially rewarding. It’s pro-vided him and his wife, Norma, with financial security and sup-plied his oldest sons with well-paying full-time jobs.

Outside 5 J’s Catering is a full-stocked catering trailer. The company purchased it for $14,000, and paid it off in only three weeks.

“Praise the Lord, because I never thought anything like this would ever be possible for my family,” he said. “Some people say the oilfield is going to have a bunch of work for the next 10 to 15 years. Anyone who’s from here can tell you that as fast as it’s gone up, it can come down, so I think everyone needs to take advantage of all the opportuni-ties out there.”

The Garcias are in that group. They’ve grabbed their opportu-nity and served it up in as many ways as possible. The menu 5J’s provides is more diverse than most restaurants. It can range from barbecue steaks to ham-burger steaks to chicken alfredo and salad. There’s also enchi-ladas, fajitas and steaks with fried shrimp on the side. They provide iced tea, Kool-Aid and some times soft drinks.

“These guys are out there working hard,” Garcia said. “They want a good meal. That’s what we try to do... provide

them with a good solid meal so that that can carry out their jobs. We don’t want them out there working on empty stomachs.”

Kim Kubala schedules cater-ing services for Weatherford’s operations in South Texas. He said on any day, any of the ca-terers Weatherford uses can pre-

pare meals for between 65 to 100 workers. Those caterers could be supplying meals to any work from Laredo to Cotulla and Three Rivers back to Yorktown.

And Weatherford is just one of countless oilfield operations that employs caterers.

“It’s a lot of work,” Kubala

said. “There are a lot of people in the business.”

Weatherford pays between $9 and $12 a meal plus mileage to the actual worksite. Other com-panies pay as much as $18 and $24 a meal. It may seem steep, but Garcia said most caterers provide a complete service. All

the worker has to do is sit down and eat. Everything from the meal to side and all the condi-ments and extras like paper tow-els, utensils and condiments is provided.

“Ketchup packets to salsa, crackers, cakes and pies...,” Gar-cia said. “We supply it all.”

CateringContinued from Page 6

Catering businessWorking in their small kitchen at their place along State Highway 33 between Alice and San Diego, Jesse Garcia of 5 Js Catering prepares tacos for some of the oilfield yards around Alice. 5 J's pre-pares most of its catering meals in the kitchen. Other meals are prepared at actual worksites.

PETE GARCIA


• Machine shop• ASME coded shop• Welding shop or field

• Lease crews • Backhoes• Safety relief valve testing • Crane-Knuckle booms • Galvanized well stands • I/E measurement technicians • AUTOCAD/drafting department

API 12-F Monogram welded production storage tanks (100 barrel to 750 barrel capacity) 20,000 sf facility, with the latest plasma cutting and sumerge arc welding technology

4819 Hwy 44 • PO BOx 82 • Freer Tx • 361-394-1400

202 NOrTH NOrTON • PO BOx 82 • Freer Tx • 361-394-7273

7186

1

Alice Bit Retipping Service, Inc.

Drag and Rock Bits • Rebuilt Hole OpenersWe Buy Used Bits • Barrena De Tungsteno

Doroteo (Teo) RamirezCell (361) 396-2477

Lucy Ramirez, V.P.Cell (361) -701-3416

P.O. Box 3618 • North Hwy. 281Alice, Texas 78333

Ph. (361) 664-4344 • Fax (361) 664-3795Email: [email protected]

Trend is sharedaround countiesin South Texas

By Pete Garcia

Fueled by the Eagle Ford Shale, Alice’s sales tax revenues are sky-rock-eting to record amounts. At the same time, the oil and gas boom continues to cut into another economic statistic — unemployment.

The number of people not working in Jim Wells County is at its lowest in years. In December, the county’s unemployment rate dipped to 6.3-per-cent, an improvement of 1.2-percent from this time last year. That figure trans-lates to an additional 272 jobs from December 2010.

It’s a trend that’s shared in neighboring counties. In Duval County, the un-employment rate in Duval was 8.2 percent, an im-provement of 2.9 percent from a year ago, which translates to 134 more jobs.

The Eagle Ford Shale is also responsible for a decline in unemployment around the entire Coastal Bend. For the 12-county Coastal Bend Workforce Development area, the

regional December unem-ployment rate dropped to 6.8-percent from 7.0-per-cent a month earlier and 8-percent from a year ago.

The unemployment rate in the area is less than the statewide rate of 7.2-per-cent. Nationally, the un-employment rate is 8.3 percent.

Cities through Jim Wells, Nueces and Duval counties received record sales tax allocations in Jan-uary, Texas Comptrollers

Office reported.State sales tax revenue

in December was $1.98 million, up 9.5 percent compared to December 2010.

The City of Alice re-ceived a January record in sales tax allocations, total-ing $1.25 million, which was 20 percent higher than January 2010 allocations. The allocated amount was more than $700,000, less than what the city received in December 2011, which

was an all-time high of $1.98 million.

In Orange Grove, the city received almost dou-ble the sales tax allocations compared to January 2011, at $44,209, a 83.4 percent in-crease. Allocations though dipped slightly compared to December 2011, down $2,100. January allocations were the highest received since 1989, according to records provided by the Texas Comptrollers Office online.

Exsisting home sales have increased2.9 percent

By Ofelia Garcia Hunter

With the economic boom in the area, afford-able housing and apart-ment rentals are scarce.

The National Associ-ation of Realtors report-ed existing home sales increased for the third month with December, which they say is a mes-sage of recuperating.

In the South, existing-home sales increased 2.9 percent to an annual level of 1.76 million in December and are 3.5 percent above last year's numbers. The median price in the South was $146,900, down 1.1 per-cent from December 2010. With a hike in house sales, the overall housing inventory de-clined 9.2 percent at the end of the year to 2.38

million existing homes available for sale, which represents about a six-month supply of homes, NAR reports.

Availability has been going down since reach-ing a high of 4.04 million homes on the market during the summer of 2007.

Sales of existing homes are on the up and up with adjusted rate of 4.42 million during the final month of the year, hitting a milestone of a five percent rise over the 4.39 million homes sold in November and a four percent increase over the 4.25 million homes sold in October. The number of homes sold in December 2011 was a 3.6 percent increase over the 4.45 million homes sold the same month in 2010.

The December climb was good for existing home sales, which went up 1.7 percent in 2011 to 4.26 million.

As demand rise,local housinginventory dwindles

Unemployment continues to drop

FILE PHOTO

According to the latest Texas Workforce Commission report, unemployment in Jim Wells County has dipped to 6.3-percent.


ACREAGE SITES FOR SALEFor Commercial & Industrial Uses

• Industrial Tracts now Available• Well located at the US Hwy 281 Bypass on the north side of Alice, Texas (Outside of City Limits)• Exceptional Access and Egress • 5 to 7 acre tracts fronting on U.S. Hwy 281, Hwy 281 Frontage

Road, U.S. Hwy 281 Business and County Roads 118 & 1181• Larger Acreages possible using contiguous tracts• 3 phase electrical service• Build to Suits Available• Ground Leases• Financing Available

Derward StevensP.O. Box 113Sinton, Texas 78387

Tel. (361) 222-0232Fax (361) 364-4247

[email protected]

Land Clearing • Tanks • Right-of-Ways • Winch Trucks

Excavating Work • Oilfield Locations

“Your Bulldozer Powerhouse”694 County Road 465 • Alice, Texas

(361) 318-7294 (361) 668-3503JoDan CarbajalOwner

DIAMOND

CONSTRUCTIONOILFIELD & RANCH SERVICESDozer • Maintainers

Backhoes • Belly DumpsTrackhoes

7261

7

RAM-GEARManufacturing, Inc.

We produce some of the Industries finest replacement gears, whether they are Helical, Double Helical, Herringbone, Spur, Splines, Sprock-ets or Worm gears for all type of applications and manufacturers. We specialize in manufacturing gears and pinions for Pumping Unit Gear Reducers. We also manufacture gears for Mud Pumps, Disposal Pumps and Fluid Pumps like ELLIS WILLIAMS, EMSCO, IDECO, GASO, GARNER DENVER, WHEATLEY, NATIONAL, OILWELL and WORTHINGTON. Upon request, we can produce API or NON-API gearing to meet your needs.

Computer Pumping Unit Repair

6150 E. Hwy 44 • P.O. Box 537 Alice, Tx 78333-1369

Bus. 361-668-0235Cell 361-460-0899Fax 361-664-8738

www.ram-gear.com

Farrel - SykesGear Generator

Trend is sharedaround countiesin South Texas

By Mauricio Julian Cuellar

South Texas oil and gas is booming, much of the rise due in large part to the Eagle Ford shale play going on adjacent to Jim Wells County.

The surge has led not only to new technology developments in fracing processes, but also to a boom in the local economy when it comes to the in-creasing number of jobs to the area.

Halliburton, one of the main players in the devel-opment of the Eagle Ford Shale, has experienced pronounced growth over the last year in the number of employees needed to handle the increased de-mands supported by out-fits working in and sup-porting the shale.

Marisol Espinosa, se-nior public relations repre-sentative for Halliburton, said the hiring trend can be expected to continue for the Alice office through 2012.

Postings on the Hal-liburton website for Al-ice positions vary from administrative and sales positions to positions in

operations such as crane operators, dispatchers, mechanical technicians

Halliburton hiring surgeexpected through this year

FILE PHOTO

Because of the ongoing work on the Eagle Ford Shale, Halliburton is expected to continue hiring workers through the coming year.

(See HIRING, Page 10)


7280

8

901 Fesco Ave.Alice, Texas 78332

P: 361-664-5888F: 361-664-5891

Jeff GreenwaySouth Texas Director of Operations

www.primepackinc.com

Prime Pack currently has IMMEDIATE OPENINGS in our Alice and Three Rivers locations. We are currently seeking experienced drivers that have a Class A license with X and Tanker endorsement. Prime Pack is a fast paced growing company serving the Eagle Ford Shale and South Texas region. We offer full benefits, competitive pay, sign on and referral bonuses available to those who qualify. Adequate sleeping quarters are also available at both locations.

and service operator spe-cialists in tool and fracing.

Positions in the manu-facturing and supply chain for Halliburton, including materials coordinators and field buyers are also open, displaying Halliburton’s commitment as one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry.

The company recently announced a $50 million investment commitment to South Texas Area op-erations, including a new South Texas Area Hub fa-cility in southern Bexar County, which will be a full service center sup-porting eight or more of

Halliburton’s Product Ser-vice Lines. The Eagle Ford shale play is estimated to have reserves of 150 tril-lion cubic feet of natural gas. Shale formations in the Eagle Ford occur as a widespread sheet about 40 to 400 feet thick. Its large natural gas liquid content separates it from other shale plays in the United States, according to Halliburton officials. The current activity covers 13 Texas counties, and an area from Webb to Burle-son counties.

“Halliburton can con-firm its purchase of more than 150 acres of land in southern Bexar County. With this recent purchase, Halliburton continues to strengthen its roots in South Texas,” Espinosa said.

The new hub though will not disrupt or change the current work load cov-ered by the Halliburton Alice facility, which is still committed to its efforts in shale development.

“The Halliburton Al-ice facility will remain in-tact. The postings on the web are for the continued growth for the current crews in place (in Alice),” Espinosa said.

The new hub will sup-port 1,500 jobs, including 1,100 new hires from the surrounding area and 400 transfer positions.

Espinosa said job open-ings in 2012 include those in management , engineer-ing, truck drivers, profes-sional operators, labor-ers, electronic technicians, chemists, mechanics and administration.

HiringContinued from Page 9

Halliburton is expected to continue hiring through this year.

MAURICIO JUALIAN CUELLAR JR.

Alice Newspapers Inc, SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Winter 201211

SERVICES, INC.

otalotalotalTTTTThru

ubing

Our goal is to provide the highest level of

service for our oil and gas customers with the

latest in quality tools and equipment on the

market and experienced personnel

TJ Williams, owner; Michael Rivera, Javier Mendoza, and Steve Castro Jr.

FISHING SERVICESTHRU TUBING • MILLING

TOP SERVICES • EXPERIENCED IN...

We Service LocationS intexaS and north dakota

www.totalthrutubing.com

3933 FM 1889 • Robstown, TX.

361-387-9177

Alice Newspapers Inc. SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Winter 2012 1312 Winter 2012 SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Alice Newspapers Inc.

!!

!

!! !

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!!

!!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

")

")

")

")

")

Webb Duval

Frio

KerrEdwards

Uvalde

Bee

Bexar

Zavala

Kinney

Dimmit La Salle

Kimble

Medina

Matagorda

Travis

LeeSutton

Nueces

Real

Maverick

DeWitt

Kleberg

Lavaca

Calhoun

Hays

GoliadAtascosa

Wharton

Fayette

Gillespie

Llano

Live Oak

McMullen

Wilson

Victoria

Bastrop

Harris

Gonzales

Colorado

Karnes

Austin

Refugio

Jackson

Blanco

Grimes

Bandera

MasonWilliamson

Jim Wells

Comal

Kendall

Fort Bend

Waller

Milam

Burleson

Aransas

Burnet

Brazoria

Guadalupe

Caldwell

Brazos

San Patricio

Washington Montgomery

WalkerMenardSchleicher

Jim Hogg

RobertsonBell

Austin

Laredo

San Antonio

Corpus Christi

100

200

300

100

200

100

200

200

100

100

200

300

-8000

-6000-4000

-1200

0

-1000

0

-2000

-14000

0 25 50

Miles

±

Eagle Ford Shale Play,Western Gulf Basin,

South Texas

Map Date October 6, 2010

Mexico

TX

NMLA

AROK

Western Gulf

Basin

Mexico

Eagle Ford Producing Wells (HPDI)! OIL

! GAS

Eagle Ford Petroleum Windows (Petrohawk, EOG, DI)

Oil

Wet Gas/Condensate

Dry Gas

Top Eagle Ford Subsea Depth Structure, Ft (Petrohawk)

Eagle Ford Shale Thickness, Ft (EOG)

Eagle Ford Shale- Austin Chalk Outcrops (TNRIS)(NW limit of Eagle Ford-Austin Chalk presence)

FULL SERVICE

TRAVEL AGENCYSince 1975

SANDIA, TEXAS361-994-TRIP(8747)

1-800-475-8210Traci Kathy

www.carefreetravel.com

NOW SERVING YOUR AREA

361-664-09512250 E. Main St. • Alice Tx

wwww.alicechevrolet.com

ALICE CHAMBER OF COMMERCECONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

612 East Main St.Alice, TX 78332

(361) 664-3454877-992-5423

www.alicetx.org

The Alice Chamber of Commerce is your guide tothe Hub City. Stop by our office for area maps,

phone books and information on our local museums. We provide free Internet services as well.

64447

Welcome Back Winter Texans!Welcome Back Winter Texans!

612 E. Main St.P.O. Box 1609Alice, Texas 78333

Business: 361-664-3454Toll free: 877-992-5423

Fax: 361-664-2291

CHAMBER OF COMMERCEConvention Visitors Bureau

Braun PrecisionCollision, Inc.

5850. E. Hwy 44 • Alice, Tx 78332(361) 396-0096 • fax (361) 396-0091

WTG FUELS INC

Honest Dependable Propane Service You

Can Count On Specializing In Residential &

Commercial & RV Sites

Three Rivers, Falfurrias and Surrounding Areas

Three Rivers (361)786-4368Falfurrias (361)325-4808

Now offering Evinrude Re-

powers


3832 E. Hwy. 44

Alice, Texas

361 664-6193

www.southtexasmarine.com

Re-Power with an Evinrude Outboard

today


3832 E. Hwy. 44 • Alice, Texas361-664-6193

www.southtexasmarine.comRe-Power with an Evinrude Outboard Today

Newell W. Atkinson IIIAlice, TX • 460-6887

With Over 36 Years of Conductor Pipe Service

• Conductor Pipe Sales & Service • Pipe Sales• Cellars Set • Rat & Mouse Holes

200 HUB ST. • 664-01065395

2

Hwy. 281 • Alice, Texas(361) 664-6527

Congratulations Megan Flowers!

Love, Mom, Dad and all of us at W.L. Flowers

Hwy. 281 • Alice, Texas

(361) 664-6527

BOWDEN★

AliceLINCOLN

MERCURY

1300 E. Main • 664-9541www.bowdenflm.com

Lawn & GardenEquipment

Repairs on Most

• Mowers

• Weed-Eaters

• Tractors

• Chain-Saws

Parts Sales & ServiceCar & Truck CareTint, Alarms & Accessories

We Sell • Service • Install

• Tint

• Alarms

• Spray on Truck Bed-Linersby Eagle Lining

Jesse’s Auto Glass Tinting & Alarms

Authorized Dealersfor:

Briggs & Stratton•

Tecumseh•

Murray•

MTD•

AYP•

Shindaiwa

600 Cecilia • 664-9855

6268

0

Tri-Quest LogisticsLet us handle your prop needs.

3032 N. Hwy 281P.O. Box 4180

Alice, Texas 78332O (361) 668-0848F (361) 668-0836

211 Randon Dyer, Bldgs. A, C, I, JRosenberg, Tx 77471

Air Conditioning & HeatingSales & Service

TACLA39769C

Silver Peña(361) 396-0000 • P.O. BOX 139

Alice, Texas 78333

117 E. Main • 664-0688

ALICE SHOE SHOP• Custom Repair on Boots & Shoes

• Red Wing • Hondo • Anderson & Bean• Belts • Billfolds • Saddle Repair

RIGHT of WAYSERVICE, INC.

71 N. Cameron • Alice, Texas (361) 664-8973

5J’s Catering ServiCe

Variety of Dinner Plates for all occassions

(Big or Small we do them all!!)

Jesse Garcia(361) 756-8991

email: fivej’[email protected]

SONCOTRUCKING

& Backhoe Services LLC.

3758 E. Hwy 44 • Alice, TX 78332

361-668-9400

HUNTER-ASHOil Co., INC.

Distributors of Major Oil Co.Petroleum Products

664-4441 • 394-7225Joe Ash., Pres. 1200 Old Falfurrias Hwy. Benny Fischer, Mgr.

MURDOCH SALES & SERVICE, LLC

• Pickup Accessories• Bumpers• Grill Guards• Steel Sales

• Trailer Parts• Gooseneck Hitches• Tool Boxes • Trailer Sales

33 South JohnsonAlice, Texas 78332

Airgas Dealer - Welding SuppliesROBERT MURDOCH

361 668-8152Fax: 664-7152

PERSONALIZED BANKING SERVICE

MainOffice: Robstown Branch: Northwest Branch: Sinton Branch:

201 Main / P.O. Box 726 600 S. Hwy 77 / P.O. Box 1107 4414 Callicoatte Rd / P.O. Box 10120 310 S. San Patricio / P.O. Box 159

Odem, Texas 78370 Robstown, TX 78380-1107 Corpus Christi, Texas 78460-0120 Sinton, Texas 78387

Phone: (361) 368-2651 Phone: (361) 387-4700 Phone: (361) 241-8808 Phone: (361) 364-2651

2 0 1 M A I N / P O B O X 7 2 6 • O D E M , T E X A S • 7 8 3 7 0 - 0 7 2 6

P H O N E : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 5 2 1 • F A X : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 0 4 7


P H O N E : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 5 2 1 • F A X : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 0 4 7

PERSONALIZED BANKING SERVICE

MainOffice: Robstown Branch: Northwest Branch: Sinton Branch:

201 Main / P.O. Box 726 600 S. Hwy 77 / P.O. Box 1107 4414 Callicoatte Rd / P.O. Box 10120 310 S. San Patricio / P.O. Box 159

Odem, Texas 78370 Robstown, TX 78380-1107 Corpus Christi, Texas 78460-0120 Sinton, Texas 78387

Phone: (361) 368-2651 Phone: (361) 387-4700 Phone: (361) 241-8808 Phone: (361) 364-2651


P H O N E : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 5 2 1 • F A X : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 0 4 7


P H O N E : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 5 2 1 • F A X : 3 6 1 - 3 6 8 - 2 0 4 7

www.fsbodem.com

MainOffice:201 Main / P.O. Box 726

Odem, Texas 78370Phone: (361) 368-2651

Sinton Branch:310 S. San Patricio / P.O. Box 159

Sinton, Texas 78387Phone: (361) 364-2651

Robstown Branch:600 S. Hwy 77 / P.O. Box 1107

Robstown, TX 78380-1107Phone: (361) 387-4700

Northwest Branch:4414 Callicoatte Rd / P.O. Box 10120

Corpus Christi, Texas 78460-0120Phone: (361) 241-8808

BaBe PageWATER WELL DRILLING, INC

“4 Generations of Experience”Drilling • Pumps • Servicing • Pipe • Oil Rigs • Farms • Homes • Wells for Every Purpose • Pumps • Windmill

Sales & Services • Solar Pump System SalesLicensed & Full Insured • Phone Answered 24/7

TRENCHING AVAILABLE

HWY 281 S. • Alice668-0211 • 1-800-399-0211

We Have Land & We’ll Build To Suit Tenant

The Eagle Ford Shale map brought to you by the following businesses:


Sout

h Te

xas

When it comes to oilfield trucks and service,

no one offers you more.

888-901-7383Rush Truck Center – Pharr

4700 North Cage Boulevard l Pharr, Texas 78577956-782-4511 direct l 956-782-8822 fax

866-917-7383Rush Truck Center – Alice

1120 Airport Road l Alice, Texas 78332361-661-0999 direct l 361-661-0300 fax

800-299-7382Rush Truck Center – San Antonio

8810 IH-10 East l San Antonio, Texas 78109210-661-4511 direct l 210-661-4306 fax

800-259-1738Rush Truck Center – Laredo

10216 Union Pacific Boulevard l Laredo, Texas 78045956-724-7383 direct l 956-717-1709 fax

Service | partS | new and pre-owned SaleS | FinancinG | inSUrance | colliSion center

2012 Peterbilt Model 367“Frac Tank Mover”

10-speed transmission, 450 Hp iSX15, 220” wheelbase

and 50K hydraulic winch.

2012 Peterbilt Model 367“Gin Pole Unit”

18-speed transmission, 600 Hp iSX15, 340”, 360”, 380” or 400”

wheelbase available. 2 or 3 winch set up available.

2012 Peterbilt Model 367 “Standard Winch”

18-speed transmission, 525 Hp iSX15, 300” wheelbase

and 75K hydraulic winch.

other bed designs available that are not pictured – including “Flopping tail roll” and “deluxe Beds with poles.”custom bed designs also available to meet your individual needs.

24/7 mobile service available to help keep you operating in the field.

For more information or to find the nearest rush truck center in your area visit us online at rushtruckcenters.com.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carrizo Springs, TX – Mesquite Lodge at Carrizo Springs is now providing “home away from home” accommodations for workers in the booming Eagle Ford Shale area.

To meet the burgeoning need for housing, Mesquite Logistics opened it’s Mes-quite Lodge Carrizo Springs, Texas on January 19, 2011. The semi-permanent housing offered at Mesquite Lodge provides all of the comforts of home and is

conveniently located near the remote area of the oil field.

Located 3 miles south of Carrizo Springs on highway 83, the Mesquite Lodge offers secure parking, complete meal service, including option-al boxed lunches, recreation facilities and wireless Internet through-out the camp. According to Jeffrey Mitchell, President and General Manager of Mesquite Logistics, “Our goal in developing Mesquite Lodge at Carrizo Springs, Texas, was to meet the growing need for affordable, quality housing for the oil field workers that gives them “a home away from home” experience. Given the positive reviews by our first residents, we are exceeding expectations.”

With over 50 years of oil field experience, the Mesquite Logistics team includes: President and General Manager Jeffrey Mitchell, co-founder of Rigco International, a drilling industry equipment supplier; Operations Manager Tom Huser, designer and operator of dozens of permanent hunting and construction camps; and Catering Manager Keith Maxson, with over 40 years of preparing com-mercial size meals, many in remote locations.

The Mesquite Lodge offers double and single occupancy rooms, as well as covered walkways to the dining hall, laundry services and secure, locked access parking. For more information on Mesquite Lodge at Carrizo Springs go to www.mesquitelogis-tics.com.Contact Information: Jeffrey Mitchell 281-541-7699 [email protected]

7248

6

Mesquite Lodge at Carrizo Springs, TexasSemi-Permanent Housing for Eagle Ford Shale Area Now Open

Teeka MendiolaDistrict Manager

Hwy 44 East 1 MileP.O. Box 330Freer, Texas 78357

Tel: 361-394-6661Fax: 361-394-5859Cell: 361-701-9041

[email protected]

Oil bust of the1980s almostshut down shopo

By Gina Flores

Repair work is in Wil-lie Wursthorn's blood and with the oil boom, boot re-pairs are steady.

“My great-uncle came from Germany and started the business back in 1925,” he said. “Then my dad came over here in 1938

and went to work, made boots here. Then I started in 1955. I can do it in my sleep, I've been doing it so long.”

The Alice Shoe Shop, lo-cated at 117 E. Main St., has been taking care of men's and women's shoe repairs for decades, and during a time when oilfield em-ployment is on the rise, Wursthorn said he and his employee of 23 years, Susan Garcia, remain con-sistently busy, though the work is actually less than

it used to be.“Right now it's just

holding steady,” he said. “It just so happens that I was doing some research on the repair part of it. I went back through my books back then to see how much repair we were doing by the month. It's probably half of what we used to do back in the 70s and 80s.”

He said after the oil and gas industry declined in

GINA FLORES

Willie Wursthorn and Susan Garcia have been providing custom shoe and boot repairs for people in Alice and the surrounding areas for decades.

WorkBoots

Oilfield keeps shoe shop busy

(See SHOE SHOP, Page 16)


Oilfield, Pipeline and Industrial SuppliesFully Stocked On-site Supplies and Fittings Trailers

WARRIORSUPPLY INC. Edinburg

956-287-1118Victoria

361-573-3950Carrizo Springs830-876-0200

Gonzales830-672-6400

warriorsupply.com

Owners: Stephen

Argubright, Brent Goyen

• Electrical Supplies• Valves & Fittings• Industrial Supplies• General Supplies• Oil Field & Rig Supply• Environmental Supplies• Oil & Greases• Pipeline Supplies

7298

7TO GOD BE THE GLORY

2012 Doonan Oilfield Lowboy

...an investment you’ll be proud of down the road.

J&B Pavelka, IncTruck & Trailer Sales

4410 CR 36Robstown, TX361-387-5010

We don’t want all the business...just Yours.

For all your Oilfield Catering

Needs!

Open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Mon - Sat

CLOSED SUNDAY

Mouthwatering Texas-Size Brisket, Sausage, Pork Ribs, Beef

Ribs, & Chicken

Try Our

(361) 664-1157Catering Ph: 562-6410

406 N. Johnson(Bus. 281) • Alice, Texas

[email protected]

the early and then mid-80s, it was difficult keep-ing the shop open.

Back then the shop had around five employ-ees, but these days it's Wursthorn and Garcia taking care of whole and half sole and heel repairs in Alice and surrounding towns including Orange Grove, Premont, Falfur-rias, George West, Kings-ville, Hebbronville, San Diego and Freer.

Once in awhile, a repair request will come in from somewhere even farther away.

“We had a guy that just went to work for Hallibur-ton about three months ago that came from Minne-sota,” he said. “We had to get him a pair of size 18.”

Brands worked on in-clude Hondo, Anderson Bean, Nocona, Chippewa and Red Wing, the biggest seller and most popular brand used in the oilfield, he said.

“It's a well-made boot, it lasts longer than any other,” Wursthorn said.

Wursthorn said they must initially determine the feasibility of a new re-pair, as the business has changed drastically over the years because of the introduction of synthetic materials.

“We have to make

sure the inside is in good shape,” he said. “A lot of your materials and leath-ers and stuff like that, they're … throwaways. A lot of the stuff you can't fix because it's not cost-effective to fix it because you can usually buy it cheaper.”

He said there is just one major supplier now, Southern Leather Compa-ny out of Houston, where they obtain supplies about twice a month.

“They don't always have the supplies we need,” he said.

“In fact, we're fixing to have to go up again (on prices) because our materi-al and stuff cost more and it's a lot harder to get be-cause there's not as many suppliers as there used to be.”

Nonetheless, through the ups and downs the shop continues to provide in-demand services to the city and surrounding com-munities.

“Nobody does this type of work anymore,” he said. “We've been here a long time, and we hope to stay here a long time.”

ShoesContinued from


DUE TO INCREASE IN WORK

• CDL Drivers at Least two years exp.

• Winch Truck Driver• Winch Truck Drivers for 4 axle KW

• Knuckle Boom Operators• Forklift Operators w/CDL

HAS OPENINGS FOR

AinsworthTrucking

OILFIELD EXPERIENCE, HAZMAT and TWIC card a plus for these positions

Must pass DOT physical and drug screen

Call 361-241-06164599 N. Hwy 77, Robstown, TX

GUYLINE ANCHOR SERVICE, INC

Permanent Or Temporary Safety Anchors

• Well Service Rig Anchors• Hydraulic Anchor Testing• Pipeline Anchors

SERVICE, INCPermanent Or Temporary Permanent Or Temporary

(361) 668-0941

FAX: (361) 668-9660Alice, TX

Lupe C. Garza • Area Manager(361) 668-8972

24 Hour Answering Service

OILFIELD ENGINE & EQUIPMENT, INC.

Specializing In Caterpillarand Detroit Diesel Engines

24 Hr. Sales & Service

CHARLIE NEILL893 Commerce RdP.O. Box 1006Alice, Texas 78333Office: 361/668-3080Fax: 361/668-3210

Crouch uses severalmediums to createworks of art

By Julie Neal

Tall, majestic oil der-ricks rise out of the South Texas plains in Gary Crouch's paintings, stand-ing as a reminder of our great Texas history.

The artist labors to re-cord such events with brush strokes that have also captured one of the great wars of the nation.

The Fort Worth native has practiced his craft since his late teenage years, later crossing over into commercial art to sup-port his family. Crouch's sense of patriotism spilled over into a draft call into U.S. Army as an illustrator

in 1969."It was a unique experi-

ence," he said. "I wouldn't trade anything for it to tell you the truth."

For his work, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Achievement and Presidential Citation.

Originally, Crouch sold fine art with mediums of pencil, pen and ink, acryl-ic and oil and airbrush. However, the financial demands of the growing family of his wife, Con-stance, and three children demanded he expand into marketing and advertis-ing.

Crouch delved into market work, creating brochures, logos, cover art and technical art for com-panies. His Christian be-liefs led him to create edu-

Oilfield Artwork

JULIE NEAL

Becky Garcia is a self-acclaimed Crouch fan and works hard to bring his latest works to the store.

Work of Oil andGas Artist soldin South Texas

(See ART, Page 18)


WRIGHTMATERIALS, INC

Sand • Gravel • Remix • Dirt

387-1511 5706 FM 3088

56924

7221

0

(located inside Neumann’s Saddle Shop)Proudly serving you since 2004

Custom Logos • Custom Embroidery • Monogramming

“We’ll keep you in stitches”110 N. Johnson • Alice, Texas

(361) 668-9559JoAnn Neumann

Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.Closed Weekends

EmbroideryDepot

For all your oilfield embroidery needs!

cational posters on Creationism that were used in more than 110 countries around the world.

In 2000, Crouch was approached by a local company about using his work on the front of a telephone book. After its publi-cation, he said his phone rang off the hook for more from more companies wanting to use his work. The artist did nine more phone book illustrations for surrounding cities, such as Burleson and Keller.

From there, his exposure exploded. Crouch has become known as the

"Texas History/Oil and Gas Artist" for his blended depictions of the modern oil and gas industry with historical Texas ele-ments.

"I'm just thankful for what I have," he said. "It just goes to show if you love something stay with it and give God the glory. That's the most important one."

Crouch's inspiration comes with age. "When you get older, you get more in-

terested in history," he said.His artwork always features a center

display surrounded by a border of com-pany logos. The companies buy the space for $650, giving them the opportunity to advertise internationally.

The border also aids in Crouch's intent to keep cost down upon framing. The bor-der acts as a frame and does away with the need for matting.

"I did the central art and the borders be-cause I wanted the average person to be able to afford the print," he said.

Crouch has a main distributor through which all the print reproductions are or-dered and then sold through major retail-ers, such as Academy Sports and Outdoors and Costco. The painter's work has made him somewhat of a local celebrity. He has been interviewed and featured on the local CBS affiliate and was afforded the oppor-tunity to speak to students all across the state. As with his paintings, Crouch likes to speak about preserving the nation's his-tory, a battle he says the country has been fighting since its founding.

Several of Crouch's paintings are on display for sale at Edward's Furniture Co. in Alice. Owner Dee Dee Sisson said the store has carried the prints for about three years and the buyers are usually men who work in the oil industry themselves.

"They just continue to sell," she said. "It's a really neat concept. These compa-nies all pay to put their logos on these pic-tures."

Like the oil and gas business, Sisson said the demand for Crouch's paintings has been on the upswing with the recent boom.

"They were selling before, but they are selling even better now," she said.

Crouch is preparing to work on his latest painting, titled "Pumps and Pipe," which features pump jacks and pipeline. The piece should take a few months and will be ready in the spring.

ArtworkContinued from

The Texas History Artist has a wall of his prints displayed at Edwards Furniture in Alice.


OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

We are proud to announce our steel yard is now open for busi-ness in Three Rivers at I-37 and Hwy 72. While we build our warehouse and showroom, we will be stocking our steel yard with pipe, culvert, cattle guards, posts, and many other items. Until we get our full line, you can order any product, and we

will bring it up on our truck from Laredo the next day!

We will be making deliveries every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until we have our full inventory in place.

Come see us!

Call Chano Salinas at 956-325-2211Thanks you for your support and we look foward to seeing

you soon!

Laredo Discount MetalsThree Rivers Steel Yard

7185

9

Mobile Track Stack could change the way South Texashandles its drilling in the future

By Ofelia Garcia Hunter

By a push of a button, a state-of-the-art piece of equipment designed by Devin International and weighing about 60,000 pounds is easily maneu-vered over a well head.

Company officials said it could change South Texas drilling in the near future.

“It's pretty exciting, we've been work-ing on it for eight months in trial and error,” said Larry Beisch, Devin district manager. “It's first of its kind.”

The Mobile Track Stack, a new tower device, was manufactured with safety in mind. The 40-foot module is self-elevat-ing through hydraulic levelers.

“Using a crane to do the same work, workers are often under suspended load,” Beisch said. “What we tried to do is put safety first. It eliminates the dan-ger of suspended load.”

With the Mobile Track Stack, the tow-er is erected over a well head and crew members can still work inside the tower.

“We will be the leader in 2012 for safety,” Beisch said. “It's also cheaper than a crane.”

Devin will be the first company to rent out the Mobile Track Stack, which can be leased for about $8,000 a day.

New Technology

OFELIA GARCIA HUNTER

Larry Beisch, district manager for Devin International demonstrates the state-of-the-art Mobile Track Stack.(See TECHNOLOGY, Page 20)

20 Winter 2012 SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Alice Newspapers Inc,

Texas Rig

ServiceSpecializing in all types of Oil Field Equipment

Service and Repair• Drawworks• Diesel Engines• Mud Pumps

• Swivels• Blocks• Hooks

3305 N. Hwy. 281(361) 661-0366

Jesse & Margie H. Gonzalez, Owners

• Rotary Tables

24 HOUR SERVICE

For the first time, the track stack was demon-strated at the end of De-cember. In five minutes the track stack was in place as the hydraulic lines erected the tower from a flatbed trailer by remote control and within an hour, the device was functional.

“It's one man opera-tion and it's easy to use,” Beisch said.

The tower provides a stable structure for coiled tubing drilling. It allows for larger workspace and deployment and recovery of jointed pipe.

The new design consists of an ejector head which

rotates 360 degrees. It also features ladder ties, rails, and hydraulic lines with dual pressure.

“It'a a total of 10 units and takes about four to five months to build,” Beisch said. “Again, it's the first of its kind.”

With the boom of the Eagle Shale drilling, safety is always priority to all companies, he said.

“So to do something like this now, it's really a neat deal,” Beisch said. “It's a pretty neat tool and it will change the way South Tex-as operates.”

The Mobile Track Stack has two motors, one for

backup.“It has added security,”

Beisch said. “If it leaks or there's a bust on the hose, it would lock up.”

The track stack was de-signed with OSHA regu-lations and eco-friendly drilling.

“Some things have worked in the past, but this product is quicker, more efficient and the top reason is the safety of it,” Beisch said. “(OSHA) is pushing the big companies to move into safety and green working environ-ments.”

TechnologyContinued from

OFELIA GARCIA HUNTER

Employees with Devin International watch as the 40-foot tower is erected in about five minutes.


Robstown3310 Hwy 77 N

* Lic Res Mort Lender AR,LA,MS,MO,OK,TX NMLS#39943

Totally custom. Surprisingly affordable.

* With approved credit for qualified landowners.

ubh.com361.241.2387

What’s your style? At United-Bilt Homes,

you can choose from dozens of floor plans

or bring your own. Our knowledgeable

associates will help you select and

customize the right house plan to suit your

lot, your family, and your budget. And

you’ll enjoy selecting from all the options

available to reflect your unique tastes.

You’ll be surprised at how affordable

owning your own custom-built home can

be, especially now with mortgage rates at

an all-time low. Our in-house financing

will save you thousands of dollars in up-

front fees, and qualified landowners can

start building their home with no money

down and no payments for six months!

Zero Down!

In-House Financing!

No Payments for 6 Months!

Gabriel 1,696 sq ft, 3BR/2BA Devonshire 2,623 sq ft, 3BR/2BAHuntington 2,302 sq ft, 4BR/2.5BA

DRILLING SUPPORT SERVICES:Casing ServicesLaydown ServicesRathole ServicesDrilling Rentals

PRODUCTION SERVICES:Hydraulic ChokesPressure TestingPumping ServicesSnubbingWell Testing

Water TransferWireline Services

WELL INTERVENTION:Offshore P&ADecommissioning

Federico GarciaAssistAnt MAnAger

2100 Harkins Ave.Alice, Texas 78332(361) 668-4270

www.eeslp.com

By Gina Flores

As its name implies, Right of Way Ser-vice, Inc. (ROWS) in Alice handles rights acquisitions for pipeline, utility and transportation projects.

“We're the real estate people,” Adan Valadez, Jr., owner of ROWS since 1980, said. “It's a big task to take on big ranch-ers.”

Valadez said as a result of the recent oil and gas boom in the Eagle Ford Shale, the company stays in constant contact with oil and gas plants scattered throughout

East Texas, working on buying rights of way, or easements to use land, for their clients.

“That's where the big plants are,” he said. “All this gas and oil they're discov-ering, you don't stay up here in Three Rivers and George West … it goes to Houston and beyond.”

The business offers a full range of services to both private enterprise and governmental agencies by researching land deeds, performing routing analysis,

GINA FLORES

Adan Valadez Jr. and Velma Starr provide right of way services in the midst of the current oil and gas boom.

Right-of-WayCompany handles rights

(See RIGHT-OF-WAY, Page 22)

22 Winter 2012 SOUTH TEXAS GOLD Alice Newspapers inc.

SPID @ Crosstown • Corpus Christi, TX • 877-265 5639 • AllenSamuelsCC.com

4 FULLY TRAINED & GMCERTIFIED GM DIESEL TECHS

OVER 50 YEARS COMBINEDDIESEL EXPERIENCE

LARGEST GM PARTSINVENTORY IN SOUTH TEXAS

YOUR SOUTH TEXAS DIESEL ENGINE EXPERTSWHATEVER YOUR GM DIESEL

MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR

NEEDS, NO ONE CAN DO IT

QUICKER OR BETTER THAN

"YOUR FRIENDS

IN THE CAR BUSINESS!"

DIESEL TRUCK REPAIRDIESEL TRUCK REPAIRLIGHT DUTY &MEDIUM DUTYGM TRUCKS

LIGHT DUTY &MEDIUM DUTYGM TRUCKS

SPECIAL REDUCED TOWING FEESSPECIAL REDUCED TOWING FEES

FREEDIAGNOSIS

Up To 1 Hour

preparing limited title cer-tification, negotiating and preparing easements, fil-ing acquisition paperwork and providing services to their clients such as oil, gas and mineral lease search-es, survey permission, soil bore sampling, route selec-tion, leasing and condem-nation.

“We could move any-where in Texas and our operations would not be disturbed one bit,” office manager Velma Starr said. “Right now we're doing a lot of work in North Tex-as, in the Panhandle, the Odessa, Abilene, San An-gelo, Snyder, Vernon ar-eas. We're only 20 minutes from the Oklahoma border with all the projects we're working on.”

She said natural gas pipeline projects, in par-ticular, are fast-paced.

“It's kind of like a race, a competition,” Starr said. “There are several oil and gas producers that are try-ing to pull the gas out of one place. Everyone's com-peting to get to market.”

Starr said ROWS began work on four projects in 2009, with the deadline for each being December 2013.

“Here we are in 2012 and we're just about done with the completion of the acquisition of the ease-ments,” she said. “We

went through all those phases, we met with land-owners … it's pretty much going on schedule.”

The progress of proj-ects can be tracked more swiftly since they began utilizing the most current technologies, she said.

“We work strictly off of email, telephone,” she said. “Everybody has smartphones, laptops. They'll send us photos of the properties. With Google Earth, we can see everything, it's like if we were there. We're not re-ally hindered at all by be-ing so far away from our projects.”

However, despite easier communications, she said it has become more diffi-cult to actually buy rights of way these days.

“Back then you were dealing with people who actually farmed their own properties,” she said. “Older people who knew all there was to know about their land, and maybe not so edu-cated. Now what you're dealing with is the gen-

erations after … now the negotiations are so much harder because you're dealing with very highly educated people. Almost everything goes through attorneys now. Before, it used to be a handshake deal.”

Starr said receiving messages of appreciation from clients for their ser-vices is surprising and gratifying.

“It's kind of an art, it's a public relations skill to be able to negotiate with landowners and talk them into putting something on their land,” she said. “Who has time to sit down and say 'you've done a really great job and I appreciate you?' Not too many law-yers would do that.”

Valadez agreed that these skills have contrib-uted to the company's con-tinued success in the Hub City and beyond.

“We have our clients that year after year keep giving us contracts,” he said. “Without our service, nothing flows, nothing sells.”

RightsContinued from


361-81-4-STAR

Attn: Oil Field Workers!$29,999 Move-In Ready

Get It Furnished for only $1,000

STANDARDSSTANDARDS16X40 (2 Bedroom/2 Bath)

Exterior:• American Made I-Beam• Detatchable Hitch• Full Length Outriggers• Exterior GFI Receptacle Front and Rear• Metal Siding/Metal Roof• No Overhang on Hitch• Blank Front Door with Deadbolt• Blank Exterior Door with Deadbolt Off BedroomsInterior:• 11/11/21 Insulation• Climate Pro Insulation in Roof• 2x4 Exterior Walls 16” O.C.• Paper Covered Sheetrock (Factory Select)• Vaulted Ceiling t/out• Valance (Living Room, Kitchen)Kitchen:• GE Appliances:• Black Electric Range• Black 18 cu. Ft. Refrig-erator

• Vented Range Hood• Brush Nickel Hardware & Faucets• Overhead Cabinets Finished• Stainless Steel Sink• Hidden Cabinet HingesFloor:• Legacy Lino Throughout• Tongue & Grove O.S.B.• 2x6 Floor Joist 16” O.C.Plumbing & Electrical:• Main Water Cut-Off Value• Pex Plumbing• Plumbing Access Panels• 30 Gallon Water Heater• 200 AMP Service• 54” Pan Shower Both Baths• Water Cut-Offs on Commodes• Overhead Lights in Bathrooms• Switch Lighting in Walk in ClosetsMiscellaneous:Fire Extinguisher

Clayton Homes, 2272 Austin Hwy, 210-654-7999

Oil field housingMOVE IN READYForclosures on land Land home package in Poteet 2 acres $89,995 Move in NOW! Land home package on 1 acre $94,995 MUST SELL! We finance! Low downpayments 2,3,4,5 bedrooms Land available for your homecall for details

Affordable homes- stop renting start owning! Low down payment, ALL applications accepted! We take trades any conditon! Call NOW! LAND HOME PACKAGESEZ Financing, call for details Drive a little...Save A LOT! 3/2 only $23,798 2/2 only $32,0304/2 ONLY $59,999 RBI#32763

Now Hiring Entry Level Operators

Committed to a level of excellence by creating a work environment that educates, motivates, and develops each

employee while providing a valued service to our customers.

Trinity Environmental Services, L.P., a leader in oil and gas waste disposal, is now accepting applica-tions for Entry Level Operators at our Benavides, Texas location. Operators work a 12 hour rotating shift; 7 on and 7 off. Must be willing to work any shift… days, nights, weekends & holidays. Must be a team player, bilingual preferred, be able to pass a drug screen, and submit to background check. Primary Duties will include unloading and clean-ing tank trailers as well as daily operations and maintence of the facility. We are willing to train recent High School graduates. All employees must submit to Substance

Abuse Testing.

Please Call for an Appointment 361-446-0241

Trinity Environmental Services, LP Is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the work-place.

Trinity Offers A Safe Work

Environment Competitive

Pay Overtime

Potential Great

Benefits

TRINITY TRINITY TRINITY ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL

SERVICES, L.P.SERVICES, L.P.SERVICES, L.P.

PUMP/TANKCEMENTER UNIT

OPERATORoperate, maintain & oversee allcementing operations. Includecoordination of equip. moving tolocations for cementing jobs,maintaining proper stock of tools,etc. for cementing. Operation &maintenance of the Gardner DenverPE-5 pump, the Detroit Diesel 4-71motor, all hydraulic systems &maintaining the overall cleanlinessof the unit. Must have a Valid TexasDriver's License & Class A or B CDLdriver's license is preferred(Company is willing to cover the costof obtaining a CDL if necessary).Bilingual is a plus. Must be a self-starter with strong math &organizational skills, flexibleschedule & needs minimalsupervision. May includeoccasionally weekend work.Cementer will be required to pass aworking interview conducted bycompany personnel. Seriousinquires only. Please call (361)876-0505.

NEW ADPUMP/TANK

CEMENTER UNITOPERATOR

operate, maintain &oversee allc e m e n t i n goperations. Includecoordination ofequip. moving tolocations forcementing jobs,maintaining properstock of tools, etc.for cementing.Operation &maintenance of theGardner Denver PE-5 pump, the DetroitDiesel 4-71 motor,all hydraulic systems& maintaining theoverall cleanliness ofthe unit. Must havea Valid TexasDriver's License &Class A or B CDLdriver's license ispreferred (Companyis willing to cover thecost of obtaining aCDL if necessary).Bilingual is a plus.Must be a self-starter with strongmath &organizational skills,flexible schedule &needs minimalsupervision. Mayinclude occasionallyweekend work.Cementer will berequired to pass aworking interviewconducted bycompany personnel.Serious inquiresonly. Please call(361) 876-0505.

Boxed Ad2x5

In-column Line ad

7249

6

GE Oil & Gas Wireline Services is accepting

applications forWIRELINE

OPERATORS &ASSISTANTS.

Must have a valid CDLClass A or B license,Apply in person at

119 FM 1930 Alice, Texas956-396-1893

GE is an equal opportunity employer

7249

7

STEELBUILDING SALE!

Inventory Discount Sale. 30X40, 42X80,

100X100. Erection Available. Must Sell, Will Deal.

40 yr. paint. 830-469-1531 Source: 1MP

FAST

GROWING

BUSINESS

looking for Class A driver with 1 yr.

experience. Home daily and

paid weekly. Hazmat a plus but

not req'd. Call (361) 668-1466 if

seriously interested.

470 DRIVERS/DELIVERY

480 GENERAL

570 PORTABLE/STORAGE BUILDINGS

960 MANUFACTURED HOMES

DELIVERY/DRIVER NEEDEDto deliver newsprint to San

Diego & Freer every Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday. Home

delivery and single copy delivery required. Must have dependable

transportation, driver's license, and insurance on vehicle used

for delivery. Apply in person at 405 E.

Main, Alice.

IMMEDIATE OPENING

EXPERIENCED WIRELINE

OPERATORS & HELPERS

Top Pay Plus Benefits.

CDL License required. Call John Daniels @

701–4413Stuart Petroleum

Testers, Inc.

HERITAGEWEST

COMMUNITYis a beautiful,

quiet, friendly and clean Community. Pool, Clubhouse, Exercise room, mail room and

parks. Move your home to this

Community, buy from a Dealer, or look at the homes "For Sale". 3322

U.S. Hwy 77, Calallen. Call for information and

free move-in spe-cials 242-2900.

small ads...

GET BIG RESULTS

8.875 x 11.3758.375 x 10.875

7.875 x 10.375

We are the largest Authorized Diesel Service Shop in South Texas

In Calallen Under the Giant Flags.

Eight FORD MASTER CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS on Staff

1-800-640-66193680 US HWY 77 • Calallen, Texas

WARRANTY REPAIR • SERVICE REPAIR • ALL MAINTENANCEOnly 30 minutes from Bee and Live Oak/McMullen Counties

south texas gold

Documents

alice newpapers

johnson alice

judy kapoor

south texas gold winter

alice actually

oilfield boom

oil boom

area hotels