Crowds, networking at oil and gas expo
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Representatives from the oil and gas industry and area businesses joined residents for an opportunity to meet and exchange information about the status and immediate future during Wednesday's Ohio Valley Regional Oil and Gas Expo at the Carnes Center.
Natalie Brown, president of MPR Transloading and Energy Services, who helped organize the event, said it boasted 108 exhibitors, including pipeline and excavation companies and related businesses.
"We have great traffic flow throughout the day. A lot of networking going on," she said, adding that the attendance appears to have increased from prior years.
Brown said a networking dinner was held on Tuesday evening featuring Mike Chadsey, director of public relations with the Ohio Oil and Gas Association; Brad Maddox, vice president of drilling and completions for EQT; and Charlie Schliebs, co-founder and managing director of Stone Pier Capital, co-founder and board member of the Energy Innovation Center Institute, and chairman of the Northeast Petrochemical Conference. She said they updated attendees on issues such as the number of rigs in the area. Others spoke about the potential of placing a saltwater disposal site in the area and the need to be responsible while welcoming the industry.
She noted the influx of oil and gas business is usually followed by excavation and construction companies, related trades and an outgrowth of other enterprises such as restaurants.
"It's one business after another," Brown said.
"The industry is alive and well here in Belmont County," Chadsey said Wednesday. "There's a lot of opportunities, either to be a supplier, a contractor, a vendor, or to work directly in oil and gas."
Gabe Hays was present, representing the Give Belmont County Community Foundation and as a board member of the Ohio Valley Oil and Gas Association. He looked forward to educating people about the industry and its impact. He said there are currently 630 well-drilling permits in Belmont County, with 14 active rigs.
"The count's lower than it has been in the past, but they're also going a lot further (with horizontal drilling) than they used to," Hays said. "They can cover more land per rig per well pad."
He said the expo has no shortage of local businesses looking for employees in welding, civil engineering and others.
"We're all searching for good employees in the local environment," Hays said.
Belmont County Tourism Director Barb Ballint saw potential for tourism and the hospitality fields and a chance to promote the area's attractions.
"They're bringing their families and they're looking for things to do," she said.
Belmont County Port Authority Director Larry Merry added that the expo represents a chance to learn about new technology and how it might impact the course of the industry.
He pointed out an early fire detection system offered by the Reltek corporation. Another piece of technology on display was a harness device for manhole rescue and for cleaning fracking tanks.
"We've been here for probably five years in a row. We come back every year because it's been a good show for us. We meet a lot of our customers that are in this area. We talk about upcoming projects and what they've got going on," Jim Burton of State Electric Supply said. He said they learned about incoming power plants in surrounding counties.
"We have been here every year, this is our eighth year," Rob Hetzel of Wheeling Spring Service and Truck Parts said. "A lot of new companies come into the area. We get exposure that way, and at the same time we've got regular customers that we deal with …We've found it a good resource for us. You're always learning more about the industry, and that gives you some insight about what your customers are needing."
Nicole Sturgeon of Century Hospitality said they have attended multiple years.
"We're really excited for the future," she said. "Lots of people in the area. It's a very big influx, so we're very excited. It keeps us very busy."
"There's a lot of good foot traffic for all the companies in the oil and gas field, so it gives us a good chance to get all of our product out there and our name out there," Megan Normal of Oil and Gas Safety Supply said, adding that in June they will be expanding into the former Toys R Us building at the Ohio Valley Mall. "We're really looking to expand."
Representatives from the University of Akron also were present to speak about their bachelor's degree program in surveying and mapping offered at the Belmont College campus.
"We've been able to partner with businesses for co-ops and internships and job placement," Kelly Herold, assistant dean with the university, said.
Jeffrey Weimer II of GMS Oil & Gas Services of Pennsylvania, said this was their first year of participation.
"We're a new company. We need to get our name out there and grow our client base," he said.
Members of the general public also attended and took the opportunity to ask questions of industry representatives about their operations.
"I came out to see what I could find out, because they're going to be drilling a well close to me," Bob McFarland of St. Clairsville said.
"We're property owners, so we're trying to figure out what's going on," Don Barbe of Morristown said, adding that his questions were answered to his satisfaction. "We got to talk to some of the companies that are drilling (around our property)."
Belmont County Commissioners Josh Meyer, J.P. Dutton and Jerry Echemann, who is visiting for his first time as an elected official.
"I'm very impressed with how it's organized. Very impressed with the crowds," he said.