NDPC Honors Industry Leaders
Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Petroleum Council recognized industry leaders at during the Awards Luncheon and Chairman’s Banquet at its annual meeting on September 27.
NDPC Member Achievement Awards
In its inaugural year, the NDPC Member Achievement Awards recognized three companies that have demonstrated excellence in community engagement, safety and environmental stewardship.
Excellence in Community Engagement – Crestwood Equity Partners
Crestwood was recognized for the company’s extraordinary commitment to building better relations between the industry and community. Among the company’s major contributions was a pledge to donate $1 million to the Head Start Facility in Mandaree, North Dakota. This donation will go far in helping the community complete this project and provide educational programs for low-income children, as well as comprehensive health, nutrition and parent involvement services. Crestwood has also been a steadfast supporter of several community events that are established traditions within the community. Among them is the Mandaree Pow Wow Celebration, the Ray Youth Rodeo and Fun Nights, and Epping’s Buffalo Trail Days. In addition, the company has started new traditions, including the Crestwood Halloween Party in Epping and the West Segment Thanksgiving Dinner, which is prepared and served by Crestwood Arrow employees to more than 600 people.
Excellence in Environmental Stewardship – Targa Resources
Targa Resources was recognized for its work to advance treatment of crude oil impacted soils through microbial enhanced bioremediation. Through its pilot program, Targa has taken great strides to substantiate bioremediation as an applicable and effective means of remediation. Targa’s investment of time, money and resources has shown measurable success and may provide a sustainable alternative to traditional landfill disposal for the oil and gas industry across the state of North Dakota. This alternative would be a more cost-effective approach for the industry and would provide other long-term benefits including a reduction of waste and the preservation of native soils.
Excellence in Safety – Enerplus Corporation
Enerplus is being recognized for designing and implementing an automated tank gauging process at six of its wells that eliminated the need for workers to manually gauge and retrieve samples of oil from storage tanks. This pilot project was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and has generated exceptional results over more than year-long test period. BLM has been very pleased with the accuracy of the results and supportive of our efforts to improve worker safety, as well as more precise measurement. This project could be the first step in eliminating manual tank gauging and sampling industry wide, and Enerplus’ investment in this process could very well prevent potential health risks and even fatalities in the future.
Distinguished Service Award
Brent Eslinger, senior district manager for Halliburton, was the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service Award, which is given to industry veteran who has gone above and beyond their respective roles and duties to help the North Dakota petroleum industry educate the public and support the NDPC’s community outreach efforts through NDPC programs and other association and industry activities.
Eslinger is the Senior District Manager for Halliburton’s Williston District. In this role, he is responsible for leading the local management team, developing strategies and operational decisions for the Williston District and working closely with the Rockies Region Management team. He is at the forefront of everything Halliburton has done in North Dakota for the past 15 years, from adding thousands of employees, to community engagement, or helping lead the Williston API Chapter.
Through Eslinger’s leadership and hard work, the Williston API has raised tens of thousands of dollars that have benefited to the Williston community. He has been a big supporter of Montana Tech’s engineering program and has served on advisory committees for the both the Bismarck State College engineering program and the TrainND Program at Williston State College where his leadership and support has been instrumental.
“We could always count on Brent to be supportive and engaged, always offering his help and services with technical support on new rules and regulations, working with local community officials, giving tours, or supporting industry and the Petroleum Council through sponsorships and support,” said Ron Ness, president of the NDPC. “Brent is a great example of a distinguished leader. He works hard, is committed to getting the job done right, he makes those around him better, and he’s more than happy to let others get the credit and publicity.”
Outstanding Service Award – Representative Al Carlson
North Dakota Representative Al Carlson (District 41) was awarded this year’s Outstanding Service Award, which recognizes legislators, elected officials, and other public servants who go beyond the normal call of duty to make our state a better place to live and work. Carlson was first elected to the North Dakota House in 1993 and has served as the Majority Leader for the North Dakota Republican Party since 2009.
“During his 24 years of service, Al has been a steadfast supporter of business and industry in the state, working tirelessly to maintain a positive regulatory environment for them to succeed,” said Ness. “His leadership has had a tremendous impact on our state’s job growth and economy.”
North Dakota Petroleum Council Hall of Fame Inductee – Craig Smith
This year’s NDPC Hall of Fame inductee is a Craig Smith. Smith is a partner in the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Department at the Crowley Fleck law firm. He has been very active in the industry’s regulatory and government affairs relating to federal, state, and legislative issues, as well as county and local matters. He served as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the North Dakota Petroleum Council from 2008 through 2012 and currently serves on the Council’s Board and Executive Committee.
“Throughout his many years as an NDPC board member and legal counsel, Craig has been a tremendous asset for the industry,” said Ness. “He has been instrumental in many victories for the industry and led the NDPC board during a period of significant growth. His leadership and wise counsel has been invaluable in making both the NDPC and industry as strong as it is today.”
Recipients of this honor must have contributed significantly to the functions and activities representing oil and gas in North Dakota, working on behalf of NDPC membership and be committed to the industry and organization’s well-being. For more information on the NDPC Hall of Fame and other inductees, visit www.ndoil.org.