I have to admit one of my favorite perks of working as a lease pumper is how my job is rarely the same from day to day. Equipment status, the level of production, the conditions of the maintenance schedule, and a variety of other factors will determine the specific tasks you are required to do; and the tasks you do today, may not be the tasks required of you tomorrow.

Other times, you may repeat these tasks from day-to-day, but complete them in very different manners. For instance, you might: use different equipment, perform the tasks to distinct degrees, or travel to a wide range of location options.

On the other hand, you also need to be prepared for the unexpected; because at some point, you will encounter an unanticipated event. This could be: a leaking pipe, a locked up engine, livestock in the overflow pit, or any number of other surprises. Depending upon the severity of the emergency will determine exactly what you need to do. To help prepare you for your next emergency, remember these important facts.

What Is An Emergency?

In short, an emergency is an event causing an undesirable result or one that has the potential to cause an undesirable result if the proper steps aren’t taken to correct it. As a lease pumper, you have to be prepared. You aren’t given a heads up that an emergency will present itself. It can happen any time, anywhere; from driving on the highway to or from the leases, to situations that arise on-site. (That reminds us, check out this blog post on Oilfield App for lightning strikes…)

For example, you could be on location when a large hole opens on the side of a stock tank causing oil to pour out onto the ground, forming a small pond. During this type of event, a lease pumper should immediately begin to circulate the oil out of the leaking vessel before switching the tank. Once completed, you should then call the office to request a vacuum truck to your location to pickup whatever oil can be salvaged. Remember time is money; and in order to keep the loss to a minimum, it requires quick action.

Prepare Yourself In Advance

During an emergency it’s too late to call your boss to find out what you should do; and in most cases, time does not permit you the luxury of contacting someone, researching for a specific number, or the person you want to contact cannot be reached. Thankfully, you can easily prepare for this by planning ahead with your supervisor. This will allow you to the correct procedures for you to follow when the circumstances arise. For instance, having the name of an approved vacuum truck operator will provide you with an extra course of action during the event you’re unable to get in contact with anyone at the office.

The list of potential emergencies you can come across is extensive; and often times, no one will even be aware there is an issue until a lease pumper arrives. Therefore, it is imperative to always have any and all relevant numbers required available in advance. This could include the electric company to report electrical issues, or the proper numbers for medical personnel for when there are life threatening situations.

More often than not, when performing these routine tasks or dealing with whatever emergency has occurred, you will be required to contact someone either by radio or telephone. If for any reason the lease pumper does not have a two-way radio or mobile telephone, then use the nearest phone. This could be from a farm, a nearby town, a ranch house, or another worker with a mobile communications device. This is also why a lease pumper should become familiar with the local area surrounding each lease. Get to know the people who live by. In order to be adequately prepared, a lease pumper should have at least two or more response options (and the information necessary to carry them out) planned out.

Typically, phone books are not available while on a lease site; and to be fair, it is highly unlikely a lease pumper will be able to memorize every resource they may have to be contact. (And that doesn’t even include the one or two backups for if the first choice cannot be reached.) For that reason, every lease pumper should create and store all the necessary information required for them to keep at hand; as well as what the lease pumper does and does not have the authority to do. This emergency information should include:

Emergency Telephone Numbers

As a lease pumper you may have to contact a variety of people and/or agencies while on the job, which you can easily keep track of by creating a spreadsheet or form and keeping it somewhere within your vehicle. However, since lease pumpers generally work at multiple sites spread over a large area, it is often best to have a separate form created for each of your different leases. For example, while two lease sites may be within 5 miles of one another; they could still be within different law enforcement jurisdictions or different fire districts. Keep in mind some small towns and rural areas are not equipped with 911 emergency services. Therefore, it is vital for a lease pumper to know what specific phone numbers to call during an emergency.

Typical emergency numbers should include the city and telephone number for the following:

• Regular Lease Pumpers
• Relief Lease Pumpers
• Nearest Telephone (Name of Owner or Business and Location)
• National General Emergency Number (Typically 911)
• State Highway Patrol
• City Police
• Fire Department
• At least 2 Hospitals and/or Paramedics
• Federal Game and Fish Department
• State Game and Fish Department
• Forest Department
• Environmental Department
• And any other relevant numbers

Company and Personnel Communications

Another common list of contacts that is convenient to have on file is other company personnel and others who may work on the lease (ex. relief personnel). Even if the lease pumper is familiar with this information, they should always keep a comprehensive list for when they are: ill, on vacation, off duty, have a family emergency, or in case the information is needed by someone (ex. relief personnel) who is not familiar with the company, employees, or the staffing structure. The exact specifics required can vary from one operation to another, but each contact list should contain anyone who may be of value on the job or as a relief person, such as: 

• Regular Lease Pumpers
• Relief Lease Pumpers
• Lease Operators
• Contract Pumpers
• And More

Field Support Services Telephone Numbers

Whether you’re a seasoned vet or just starting your career as a lease pumper, times will occur when you have to buy supplies, or have maintenance performed you are not qualified or equipped to handle. Whatever the case, you will benefit from having contact information (including the physical address for those you need to get pickups from) on specific suppliers and service providers. A sample of these suppliers and support service resources can include:

• • Pipeline or Oil Transport Company
  • Water Transport Company
  • Rural Electrical Company
  • Electrical Services or Repairs
  • Electrical Motor Rewinding
  • Hot Oiling Services
  • Chemical Suppliers
  • Oilfield Supplies (multiple)
  • Maintenance and Construction
  • Wesll Servicing and Workover
  • Downhole Pump Repairs (multiple)
  • Engine and Mechanical (multiple)
  • Weekend or Emergency Numbers

Lease Information

Lease site locations are often in remote or hard to find areas. To help prevent confusion or problems reaching the site, make sure to always carry the appropriate details about each lease location. This information can be helpful for relief personnel, service providers, or any others unfamiliar with how to reach the site. This can also be helpful in finding alternate routes for the site for when normal routes are closed for weather or road construction. The goal is to provide accurate descriptions on how to reach the lease. This can include:

• • Descriptions of Cattle Guards
  • Distances
  • Highway Numbers
  • Highway Signs
  • Mile Markers
  • Road Divisions
  • Town Names
  • And/or Any Other Distinguishable Landmarks to Help Identify the Route

Is your appetite for oil & gas operating knowledge insatiable like ours? 😀 If so, check out this related article, 11 Important Oil & Gas Lease Operating Maintenance Expenses (that should never go overlooked…) – it will surely pump you up!!!