Bakken 2013

 

Seminars

In conjunction with the exhibit show, attendees can purchase Day Passes and Show Passes to attend short (one hour) seminars covering hot regional topics of interest to business, community, and/or oil workers.

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Seminar Topics Include:

Are You Ready:  The First 72 Hours Are Up to You
By Sharon Smith, North Dakota State University Extension Service
Tuesday 9:00 - 10:00, Norsk Room; Thursday 1:30 - 2:30, Lewis & Clark Room
                                                           
Does the Bakken have you working and living away from your family and friends?  Do you know how to stay safe and connected in case of an emergency or disaster while far from home?  Join us as we share phone apps, emergency kit plans and pocket info forms to help you stay connected at a distance with family and friends.  By planning now, gathering basic supplies, and sharing plans with loved ones, you can be ready and stay safe in times of emergency.  The first 72 hours are up to you.

Bakken Oil Boom’s Investment Opportunities
By Harold Wong, Contributing Columnist, The AZ Republic
Wednesday 2:45 - 3:45, Norsk Room

Don’t miss this rare financial opportunity to learn about opportunities for you to invest in the Bakken oil boom.  Topics covered include:

Why the Bakken Oil Boom can lead to U.S. Oil Independence
Why ND has the lowest unemployment rate in the U.S.
How real estate investors are earning 8-15% cash on cash returns
Why many renters have $100,000+ annual incomes
How real estate investors can project a 10-25% overall rate of return
Why the Bakken had the 2nd highest wage rate growth in the U.S.
What non-real-estate investment opportunities exist.

Bella Dangelo Radio Show Live (Open to All Attendees, Not Just Seminar Pass Holders)
By Isabella Dangelo, Bella Dangelo Radio Show
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 2:45 - 5:00, Lewis & Clark Room

Note:  The views and opinions expressed on the show are those of the Isabella Dangello show and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Expo Show producers and sponsors.  Bella Dangelo is a hardworking (employed since the age of 14), self-sufficient, self-reliant woman of integrity.  Bella strives to find the truth and is not afraid to get her hands dirty in the process. The Bella Dangelo Radio Show offers the American people a chance to learn the current issues facing our great country.   The American people have the right to know what goes on in our system and what is really happening behind closed doors.  Bella's radio show offers a variety of viewpoints from people who want this country to return to what it used to stand for - life, liberty, and freedom.  The show's host and speakers discuss these issues and find solutions using knowledge, experience, wisdom, understanding, empathy, and common sense.  Guests specialize in history, politics, economics, religion, and business.  America has drifted off course and turned away from her original values.  Bella expresses the need for the American people to stand up for their beliefs, seek truth and justice, and reclaim their freedoms.

The Boom in Minot:  Opportunities and Challenges
By Jerry Chavez, President Minot Area Development Corporation
Tuesday 10:15 - 11:15, Norsk Room; Thursday 1:30 - 2:30, Norsk Room

Seminar abstract not available.

The Boom in Williston:  Opportunities and Challenges
By Tom Rolfstad, Williston Economic Development
Tuesday 1:30 - 2:30, Norsk Room; Wednesday 9:00 - 10:00, States Room

Williston is the fastest growing Micropolitan community in the Nation for the second year in a row!  Mr. Rolfstad will discuss what separates this oil play from those in the past. This unconventional oil play is a paradigm shift in technology and productivity that offers the key to unlocking huge reserves of oil. The shale rock that contains this oil is massive in size and geography.  The combination of these factors means this will be a great place to invest for a very long time.  Especially at times like these, when the World economy is staggering.  North Dakota offers a tremendous opportunity for investors with  a pro-business climate, pragmatic regulatory process and an ever growing balance to the budget.  Mr. Rolfstad will explain how Williston is the central hub city to the Williston Basin and the preferred location choice for the largest oilfield services companies in the world.  Williston anchors Williams County which is adding 10,000 jobs per year!  Come join the fun!

CTS' Winter Defensive Driver Training
(With Hands-on Skid Truck Demos)

By Gary Eggspuehler, Center for Transportation Safety
Tuesday 9:00 - 11:15, States Room; Wednesday & Thursday 9:00 - 11:15; Norsk Room

Winter can be a particularly dangerous time for commercial drivers.  When your drivers only have limited – or no – experience driving in winter conditions, it is a major potential risk to your organization.  Center for Transportation Safety (CTS) offers an on-site training course that allows drivers to gain crucial experience with winter driving – and helps you reduce crashes and driver incidents.  This course on best practices for winter driving gives your drivers the chance to learn through a variety of methods:
Classroom instruction to emphasize the principles of defensive driving in winter conditions
The CTS skid control truck for practice avoiding and recovering from skids in a real light duty vehicle
One-on-one behind-the-wheel coaching for hands-on learning in your company’s own vehicle

Our focus is on improving driver awareness, speed-space management, lane control, evasive maneuvering and emergency braking techniques. These are some of the winter driving challenges covered by our instructors:
Snow and ice conditions
Handling skids
Wind, from gusts to unexpected turbulence
Rain and the elements of hydroplaning
Vehicle failures
Braking and choosing the proper methods
Hazard avoidance measures
Animals
Pedestrians
Road hazards

What makes this course an award-winning program?
Taught by retired state troopers with years of highway safety experience
Uses proven cognitive skill-based development with state-of-the-art, multiple media adult learning techniques
Drivers practice on CTS’ skid-control vehicle, which can duplicate real-world skid scenarios

Developing Employee Training Programs and Public Relations Strategies to Combat Human Trafficking
By Patrick Atkinson, The Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons
Tuesday 11:30- 12:30, States Room; Wednesday 10:15 - 11:15, States Room

This presentation provides basic awareness of the historical and contemporary dynamics of human trafficking (HT), its existence within field industries, and its impact in a state not used to dealing with HT-related issues.

This presentation presents positive, pro-active workplace training formats and public relations strategies. The inclusion of this seminar will demonstrate that the oil industry leadership is aware of current and future possibilities for human trafficking in the oil industry, and is working to develop prevention and management strategies.

The presentation begins with a brief historical review of human trafficking worldwide and shows its universal nature. The presentation moves quickly to bring HT into the contemporary workplace and shows the impact that it has on workers, workplace safety and legal liability, and community involvement. The remainder of the presentation provides practical information and material that can be used by oil industry leadership to bring awareness to oil industry workers, as well as the development of educational materials for workers, and community public relations strategies.

This presentation is given under the auspices of The GOD’S CHILD Project (a non-denominational registered 501(c)3) nonprofit organization), the ‘Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons’, or The Atkinson Center.

Flame Resistant Clothing and the Flash Fire Hazard
By Derek Sang, Bulwark Protective Apparel
Wednesday 4:00 - 5:00, States Room; Thursday 1:30 - 2:30, States Room

Attendees will learn about the primary subjects essential to understanding, and protecting against, the flash fire hazard in the workplace. A comprehensive look at enforcement, hazard analysis and FR clothing performance testing, focusing on the importance of NFPA 2112 certification of garments and using NFPA 2113 as a guide when instituting or upgrading an existing FR Clothing program, including comfort, value, employee acceptance, proper use, maintenance and laundering. The seminar will be a NON – Commercial review of the Flash Fire hazard and what to look for when specifying FR Clothing.  Attendees will take away:

The latest in Flame-Resistant fabric technology
Understand how NFPA 2112 and 2113 relate to designing an FR Clothing program
Difference between Flame-Resistant clothing and every day work wear

FrackNation Movie Screening
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 11:30-12:30, Norsk Room

Note:  The Bakken Oil Workers & Oil Service Expo have purchased a public screening license for this movie.  Copies of the movie will be available for purchase after each viewing. 

In FrackNation journalist Phelim McAleer faces threats, cops and bogus lawsuits questioning green extremists for the truth about fracking. McAleer uncovers fracking facts suppressed by environmental activists, and he talks with rural Americans whose livelihoods are at risk if fracking is banned. Emotions run high but the truth runs deep.

FrackNation was made after Phelim McAleer confronted GASLAND filmmaker Josh Fox at a Q&A in Chicago. McAleer asked Fox about instances of water being lit on fire well before fracking occurred in America and why he didn’t include that information in GASLAND. Fox said the information “wasn’t relevant.” McAleer disagreed and put their exchange on YouTube. Fox sued to have it removed. That’s when McAleer realized there was more to the story of fracking than Josh Fox was letting on.

FrackNation was funded by 3,305 backers on Kickstarter who generously donated $212,265 to have us investigate the truth about fracking. All funds from oil and gas companies or their executives were explicitly rejected. FrackNation is a film by the people, for the people.

Fundamentals of Sand Frack Conveyor Belts
By Laura Hoggan, RPI
Tuesday & Wednesday 10:15 - 11:15, Lewis & Clark Room

Conveyor system and belt maintenance is essential to keep a facility running. The high costs associated with a mis‐aligned system in replacing components makes this a critical issue faced by all plant managers. Conveyor systems are impacted by changes in the environment, material being conveyed and load on the system.

 Conveyor systems are dynamic and require constant monitoring and cleaning. Understanding the impact of the loading area and belt tracking can ensure that costs are minimized to replacement of wear parts and not catastrophic failures. An understanding of the system, interaction between the various parts and the symptoms seen when the system is out of synergy is essential.

The conveyor belt is the most misunderstood part of the conveyor system. Learning what causes belt behavior, how to repair belts and the terminology of the conveyor belt will help all plant managers decrease operations costs. Reviewing the causes of belt failure, misalignment and how to solve the problem will enable plant managers to increase the efficiency of their systems.

Participants will:
Understand the variables that effect conveyor belt operation and be able to troubleshoot their systems.
Understand conveyor belts, their anatomy and how to ensure the correct belt is on their system
Understand the conveyor system as a whole and how the various parts contribute to the overall health of the system.

How to Find the Best Oil Industry Jobs
By Corrine Weaver, Command Center, Inc.
Tuesday 4:00 - 5:00, Norsk Room; Thursday 4:00 - 5:00, States Room

This workshop will explore helpful tips for oil workers seeking employment. Topics covered include:

What does the oil and gas job market look like today (and future)?
How to get hired by an oil and gas company?
How to use the Internet as a tool for finding your next job opportunity?
How to present yourself to a future employer?
How to get that coveted interview?

How to Target the Best Employees
By Corrine Weaver, Command Center, Inc.
Tuesday 2:45 - 3:45, Norsk Room; Thursday 2:45-3:45; States Room

This workshop will explore helpful tips for hiring managers in the oil industry.  Topics covered include:

What will your future workforce look like?
How will you compete for the best candidate?
How can you use the Internet to locate future talent?
What is your future workforce looking for in their next job?

It’s Your Money:  What Do You Want It To Do For You?
By Lori Scharmer, North Dakota State University Extension Service
Tuesday 9:00 - 10:00 & Wednesday 11:30 - 12:30, Lewis & Clark Room

Money is a tool, we use that tool to accomplish what is important to us. This presentation will help identifying ‘what we want’ and how to make it happen with the money we earn.

Keeping the Bakken Clean and Green
By Scott Brown, Strata Corporation
Tuesday 1:30 - 2:30, Lewis & Clark Room; Thursday 2:45 - 3:45, Norsk Room

Whether you are a land owner, a representative from an Oil Company, an Oil Field Worker, a Contractor, or a member of the General Public, you play a part in the oil field and ultimately have a responsibility to Keep our Bakken Clean and Green. Unfortunately, as part of the many processes in place to produce the oil from our Bakken, environmental incidents occur which require remediation. The purpose of our presentation will be to discuss with you and ultimately help you answer the questions, what do I do if I observe, find, or am part of an environmental emergency such as an oil spill, salt water spill, diesel fuel spill, or any other chemical spill. In the event of one of these misfortunate incidents, this presentation will outline the steps and processes that can be taken to help you to: 1) identify a spill, 2) determine who is responsible for reporting it, 3) reportable quantities, 4) who to report the incident to, 5) appropriate methods to stop the spill from spreading if necessitated and remediation steps to remove the contaminated material, 6) and finally how to answer the question after remediation methods have taken place, Is the environment safe?

Living & Cooking in Small Spaces
By Gail Slinde, North Dakota State University Extension Service
Tuesday 4:00 - 5:00 & Wednesday 11:30 - 12:30, States Room

In a booming area like the Bakken, housing is difficult to find, much less housing with any elbow room.  Learning the skills to live and cook in tight spaces can make your life in the Bakken much easier.  Those who live in an RV or camper and eat out may have a craving for good, old home cooked food.  Preparing a tasty meal in an RV is possible.  All you need are a few essential items (and just a little elbow room) and some great recipes to prepare your own easy and healthy meals.

Living & Surviving in North Dakota Winters – You and Your RV
By Becky Buchmann, North Dakota State University Extension Service
Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30, States Room; Thursday 4:00 - 5:00, Norsk Room

Are you new to ND and eager to experience a ND winter?  You might be ready but is your RV?  Join this session to learn how to get your little home on the range (your RV) ready, safe and comfortable for the unpredictable ND winter.  Bonus-also learn what you need to know in case of bad weather any time of the year. 

Parenting from a Distance
By Holly Arnold, North Dakota State University Extension Service
Tuesday 2:45 - 3:45 & Thursday 9:00 - 10:00, States Room

Even though miles and hours separate you from your child, you are one of the most important people in your child’s life.  Parenting can be especially difficult when working in the Bakken puts distance between you and your child.  When your shift in the oil patch ends, your most important job-being a parent, continues.  Join this session and learn strategies to build, maintain and enjoy strong, long distance relationships with your children; discuss ways to overcome parenting obstacles and learn techniques to ease the reuniting process.  

Power Pay Your Way Out of Debt
By Lori Scharmer, North Dakota State University Extension Service
Wednesday 9:00 - 10:00, Lewis & Clark Room

Hear about the PowerPay way to eliminate debt. Online tools for developing a personalized, self-directed debt elimination plan. Discover how quickly you can become debt free, and how much you can save in interest costs.

Saltwater Disposal Wells: Guidelines for the Investor
By Marion Smith, Salt Water Disposal Institute, A Subsidiary of Odin Oil and Gas, LLC
Wednesday 4:00 - 5:00, Norsk Room; Thursday 10:15 - 11:15, States Room

Saltwater disposal wells (SWDs) are a vital part of the midstream operation in the oil and gas industry that are gaining popularity amongst operators and investors.  SWDs are needed to dispose of flowback water from fracking and waste water made during production.  As oil production decreases over time, the amount of saltwater increases thus resulting in the increasing need for SWDs. This seminar gives the basics of saltwater disposal along with advice and concerns related to investors. Issues include comparing disposal projects and evaluating operators. In addition to the advice on investing, case histories will be presented by the Saltwater Disposal Institute.

Secure Your Financial Future: Lessons from Warren Buffett!
By Harold Wong, Contributing Columnist, The AZ Republic
Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30, Norsk Room; Thursday 11:30 - 12:30, States Room

This seminar will cover lessons from Warren Buffett that can insure your retirement security.  Topics covered include:

Warren Buffett’s rules for Financial Success
Understand Buffett’s Rule of 100 or Risk Ruin in Retirement
Triple Your CD Rates
Avoid the Next Crash in Bonds or Stocks
Eliminate Income Tax on Your IRA

So You Want to be an Engineer in the Bakken: Tips and Stories from a Civil Engineer who Came to the Bakken
By Paul Wallick, WHPacific, Inc.
Tuesday 1:30 - 2:30, States Room; Thursday 10:15 - 11:15, Lewis & Clark Room

The Bakken is in need of housing, retail, service establishments, warehouses, industrial parks, and the infrastructure to provide for these new developments. All of this new development and infrastructure creates a need for civil engineers.

This presentation focuses on coming to the Bakken as a civil engineer from out of state. I have been working as a consulting civil engineer in the Bakken area for over a year and offer stories and tips for success as an engineer in the Bakken.

Having been present at many commission meetings, reading the local newspapers, listening to the local radio shows about the Bakken, and being active in the region, I have heard the concerns of the longtime residents. The government planners and engineers are overwhelmed with emails and phone messages. Develop relationships with these people. Be persistent.  They want to help you.

The rush of workers descending on the area created the man camps consisting mostly of campers and RVs. Then developers started to build more comfortable accommodations for these workers using modular housing. As more families start to come to the area the shift is to create livable neighborhoods with parks and trails. A place people can call home.
Hotels were built to accommodate all of the business travelers flocking to the area. Truck stops were being constructed throughout the Bakken. People now are asking for more traditional grocery stores and shopping areas.

The opportunity is here. Have a presence. There is room for more engineers and firms that want to expand in the region. For engineers who have been thinking about starting their own company this is a great place to get started. Go for it.

Working Capital Solutions for Small and Mid-sized Businesses
By Kevin McCormick, CapFlow Funding Group
Tuesday 11:30 - 12:30, Lewis & Clark Room; Wednesday 2:45 - 3:45, States Room;  & Thursday 9:00 - 10:00, Lewis & Clark Room

Every business has its own unique liquidity challenges and there are a full line of solutions available to mitigate cash flow concerns. This seminar will focus on several methods companies can utilize to effectively manage their working capital. Discussion will touch on Factoring facilities and how to bypass the sometimes long process of waiting for invoices to be paid, and simply capitalize on receivables to build and grow revenues.  Other asset-based lending facilities to be touched on are those collateralized by accounts receivable and/or inventory, and purchase order financing.

Worksite Safety Hazards and Prevention
By Harlan Olson, Workforce Safety & Insurance
Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30 & Thursday 11:30 - 12:30, Lewis & Clark Room

This presentation will touch on safety hazards and trends that Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) is currently seeing in the oil industry based on claims data. We will provide some suggestions on ways to avoid injuries and review our annual safety discount programs that are available at no cost to employers and employees who conduct business in North Dakota and maintain an employer account with WSI.