Energy industry scrambles to find workers to fill jobs

RIFLE, Colo. — The natural gas industry has swamped parts of the Rockies with workers and equipment. But despite the surge in population, the energy industry is desperate for labor in the high deserts of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

At least one company is helping American oil and gas developers bring in drilling rigs and crews from China, while others are recruiting engineering students before they graduate from college.

Experts say the oil and gas industry will lose more than half of its skilled work force to retirement within 10 years.

Presco Inc. imported a Chinese-built rig this summer and began operating the equipment in early August near Rifle. The crew is American, said Kim Bennetts, Presco’s vice president for exploration and production.

“We only went to China because we were having trouble finding equipment here,” Bennetts said, adding that rigs from Italy, Norway and other countries also are being sought by U.S. oil and gas companies.

The proposed use of foreign labor has upset Rep. John Salazar, a Democrat representing much of western Colorado, and some unionized workers. Henry Solano, business manager for the Pipefitters Local Union No. 208 in Denver, said, “the rig work out there is not a highly skilled criteria. It is dangerous and it’s hard work, but for that kind of money you can’t tell me there aren’t local workers.”

Others disagree.

“I’m sure with the wages the way they are, people will be recruited but not at the rate that’s needed,” said Bob Woodworth, a partner in Denver-based Western Energy Advisors, which helps North American companies work with the China National Petroleum Co.

Oil and gas companies are dealing with some alarming labor statistics: About half the entire work force will soon be eligible for retirement. The number of petroleum engineers in the U.S. dropped by more than 50 percent between 1983 and 2001, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of college students pursuing petroleum and mining degrees dropped by 80 percent over a similar span.

Forest and Olivia Bommarito, both 24, were among 11 students who graduated with master’s degrees in petroleum engineering in May from the Colorado School of Mines.

Forest Bommarito said he had seven job offers before graduating, and his wife received her first job offer a full year before she graduated. Husband and wife signed contracts in October to work for ConocoPhillips and BP, respectively, in Anchorage, Alaska, with starting salaries around $79,000.