This is not a story of tragedy, nor a cry for sympathy, but it is a story of how I got from there to here. This is my story of survival, and triumph.
I have not written this down before now, and do not know why I have chosen this moment to do so. I have read through some of your posts here, and I only wish to share a thought or two.
The year was 1985, and I was in the prime of life. Having been married for nine years, my wife and I were miraculously expecting our first born. Happily anticipating his arrival, and busy preparing for all the things that were to be, we were the epitome of young, success filled couples.
I was ToolPusher on a land rig at the ripe age of 28 just prior to the oil boom bust of 1985-1986 I had been either a Driller or a Toolpusher since I was 23. This particular rig required round the clock supervision of a collection of some of the most hodgepodge of crews on a different type of rig and drilling conditions than most were accustomed to. Adding to the mix, we had a newly promoted Drilling Superintendent who made no secret of his distaste for my style. Having recently being from another rig, I was placed in charge of this one by the owners against his wishes. Needless to say, everything needed attention, and I was anxious to get everything in order and repaired before rigging down and moving to a more difficult location. There seemed no end to the constant knocking at the door, with requests for assistance. From broken pumps, to non-existent lighting and a faulty generator, to the need to restring the drilling line at night with a crew that had never participated in this common daylight chore. There were tight hole problems, chalk, and a poisonous gas strata to drill though, with non-fully functional blowout preventers.
After eleven days and nights with zero sleep, and too few meals, I called one of the owners expressing my difficulties and stating my expectation that I would be relieved of duty the following morning. As predicted, this is exactly what took place. I was called in to the office the following day, and fired by the Superintendent. Incredulously, I went home and continued to call the vendors which I had outstanding orders and obligations with, making sure that all was being carried out and completed exactly as I had scheduled.
Due to sleep deprivation, and in denial, I had already crossed the line between reality and fiction. (to be continued)
© 2009 byronc
2 comments:
This is not a story of tragedy, nor a cry for sympathy, but it is a story of how I got from there to here. This is my story of survival, and triumph.I have not written this down before now, and do not know why I have chosen this moment to do so. I have read through some of your posts here, and I only wish to share a thought or two.In 1985, I was in the prime of life. Having been married for nine years, my wife and I were miraculously expecting our first born. Happily anticipating his arrival, and busy preparing for all the things that were to be, we were the epitome of young, success filled couples.I was a Tool Pusher on a land rig at the ripe age of 28 just prior to the oil boom bust of 1986 I had been either a Driller or a Toolpusher since I was 23. This particular rig required round the clock supervision of a collection of some of the most hodgepodge of crews on a different type of rig and drilling conditions than most were accustomed to. Adding to the mix, we had a newly promoted Drilling Superintendent who made no secret of his distaste for my style. Having recently being from another rig, I was placed in charge of this one by the owners against his wishes. Needless to say, everything needed attention, and I was anxious to get everything in order and repaired before rigging down and moving to a more difficult location. There seemed no end to the constant knocking at the door, with requests for assistance. From broken pumps, to non-existent lighting and a faulty generator, to the need to restring the drilling line at night with a crew that had never participated in this common daylight chore. After eleven days and nights with zero sleep, and too few meals, I called one of the owners expressing my difficulties and stating my expectation that I would be relieved of duty the following morning. As predicted, this is exactly what took place. I was called in to the office the following day, and fired by the Superintendent. Incredulously, I went home and continued to call the vendors which I had outstanding orders and obligations with, making sure that all was being carried out and completed exactly as I had scheduled. Due to sleep deprivation, and in denial, I had already crossed the line between reality and fiction. (to be continued)
This is not a story of tragedy, nor a cry for sympathy, but it is a story of how I got from there to here. This is my story of survival, and triumph.I have not written this down before now, and do not know why I have chosen this moment to do so. I have read through some of your posts here, and I only wish to share a thought or two.The year was 1985, and I was in the prime of life. Having been married for nine years, my wife and I were miraculously expecting our first born. Happily anticipating his arrival, and busily preparing for all the things that were to be, we were the epitome of young, success filled, and vibrant couples.I was a Tool Pusher on a drilling rig at the ripe age of 28 just prior to the oil boom bust at the end of 1985-1986. I had been either a Driller or a Toolpusher since I was 23. This particular rig required round the clock supervision of a collection of some of the most hodgepodge of crews on a different type of rig and drilling conditions than most were accustomed to. Adding to the mix, we had a newly promoted Drilling Superintendent who made no secret of his distaste for my style. Having recently being from another rig, I was placed in charge of this one by the owners against his wishes. Needless to say, everything needed attention, and I was anxious to get everything in order and repaired before rigging down and moving to a more difficult location. There seemed no end to the constant knocking at the door, with requests for assistance. From broken pumps, to non-existent lighting and a faulty generator, to the need to restring the drilling line at night with a crew that had never participated in this common daylight chore. After eleven days and nights with zero sleep, and too few meals, I called one of the owners expressing my difficulties and stating my expectation that I would be relieved of duty the following morning. As predicted, this is exactly what took place. I was called in to the office the following day, and fired by the Superintendent. Incredulously, I went home and continued to call the vendors which I had outstanding orders and obligations with, making sure that all was being carried out and completed exactly as I had scheduled. Due to sleep deprivation, and in denial, I had already crossed the line between reality and fiction. (to be continued)
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