Local oil company plans to build 'man camp'

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Press Photo by Lisa Call Lance Keator, operations manager for Stallion Oilfield Services in Dickinson, is shown Wednesday afternoon in the kitchen of a newly-arrived skid that may be used for a temporary oilfield housing site known as a “man camp.”

Talk about it

While there is no quick fix to an area housing shortage amid bustling oil activity, one area company is vying to set up a “man camp” to alleviate some of the issue.

Temporary housing, likened to a portable motel with bunk bed-style sleeping quarters, camps consist of skids, some of which are complete with a fully equipped kitchen, cook and entertainment area.

“We’re in the process right now of trying to get a conditional use permit for a 100-man camp,” said Gary Wright, operations manager of special projects for Stallion Oilfield Services, located north of Dickinson.

Wright said Stallion’s camp would provide laundry services as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

“If we receive the permit from the county, it will be open July 1,” Wright said.

The camp would be located on Stallion property.

“We’re setting aside 3.5 acres that’ll be fenced off, and so they’ll have their own space and area and privacy,” Wright said.

While most camps are contracted to oil drilling companies, Wright said, to his understanding, this particular camp will be for a support company.

Wright said oil companies will contract camps for a certain number of people.

More camps could sprout up from here.

“If we’re successful here, we’re going to be working on at least one or two more between here and Williston,” Wright said.

However, camps are raising questions about infrastructure needs for temporary housing.

Joe Frenzel, Dickinson City Commissioner, said camps raise questions about zoning laws.

“That’s the one that raises the most questions, I think,” Frenzel said, adding infrastructure such as lagoons are a concern. “I don’t think they’re prepared for any of that out there.”

As Williston is entrenched in a housing crunch as well, one big oil player is bringing in a portable housing complex recently used at the recent winter Olympics to lodge oilfield workers.

“It’s something we’re probably going to be seeing more of in the near future with the housing shortage,” said Stark County Commissioner Ken Zander.

Tags: man camp, oil, news, local, housing