Eagle Drilling Services - Dedicated Employees Build Success

[Figure 1] Eagle Drilling Services, which specializes in drilling Bakken wells, is one of the most efficient and respected contract drillers in the business.

Founded in 2005 by Derrick Big Eagle and Robert MacCuish, Chairman of the Board, Eagle Drilling is a small drilling company based in southeast Saskatchewan, which now ranks in the Saskatchewan Top 100 Companies. The Carlyle, Saskatchewan- headquartered drilling services provider uses only the newest in drilling technology, and prides itself on the knowledge, experience and dedication of its workers.

"The whole thing - our full success rate - can be put on the shoulders of our people," says Derrick Big Eagle, President and General Manager. "I'm the first guy to admit I surround myself with good people in order to make myself look good. I think we did a very good job at that, and it shows by our reputation, utilization and low employee turnaround. Our people are the backbone of Eagle Drilling."

Recently, Eagle Drilling reached a major milestone, achieving more than one million man-hours with no Lost Time Accidents. "Being able to reach that speaks to the responsibility of our employees - for themselves and for each other, really taking safety to heart, and we're proud of that," says Eagle Drilling Office Manager Tina Twietmeyer.

[Figure 2]

Band Of Brothers

Eagle Drilling enjoys low employee turnover: 80 per cent of its employees have been with the company for two years or more. Some employees have worked together for the full five years the company has been operating, while others have worked together for more than 15 years, at Eagle Drilling and at other firms. So it's no surprise that crew members are close. They are more than co-workers: they are friends, brothers and cousins. Workers look out not just for their own safety, but for the safety of each team member.

Safety is of the utmost importance at Eagle Drilling, where it is not just policy, but also an attitude that Eagle Drilling has instilled, from the president down to the newest floor hand. Getting To Zero is a companywide goal, and it's considered to be everyone's responsibility. Eagle Drilling would never have achieved the safety milestones it has, if not for its safety-conscious, experienced, reliable staff.

People Are What Makes Eagle Drilling Great

Eagle Drilling believes the company is only as strong as the people who work for it. Eagle Drilling has 160 employees who are an invaluable asset and have grown with the company. They know the equipment and the rigs. Many helped build the rigs from the ground up, and can also repair and maintain them. They are familiar with the areas they work in, since most have lived and worked in southeast Saskatchewan for most of their lives. They are reliable and trustworthy. And that trust between employer and employee, is what makes a company successful.

Eagle Drilling has strong family values, with regard for its employees and their loved ones. The majority of employees live less than two hours away from location. Eagle Drilling believes it is important that workers can return home each night, since this allows them to maintain a healthy home and family life. The company also supports employee health by offering stellar health coverage. Making Local Investment A Priority

Eagle Drilling management has more than 100 years of combined experience working in southeast Saskatchewan's oil industry.

"We have a great experience level within our management team," Big Eagle says. "We are all local boys that grew up on the rigs down here, and we have a good idea of how southeast Saskatchewan works. I think that gives us an advantage over most others."

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Big Eagle, who has worked in the region for his entire life, is keen on helping small towns maintain their vitality, economic wellbeing and way of life. To this end, Eagle Drilling hires as many local workers as possible (currently, 85 per cent of its staff are local) and on average, invests $16 million in annual wages back into the local economy. The company also uses as many local services as possible, including parts, supplies and maintenance, with an average investment of more than $10 million each year going into southeast Saskatchewan's economy. In addition, Eagle Drilling manufactures all of its rigs, each at a cost of approximately $7 million, through a company based in southeast Saskatchewan.

All Eagle Drilling rigs are equipped with the latest in drilling technology, for a safe, fast, reliable and cost-efficient drill.

Eagle Drilling employees are committed to doing the best job possible, each and every time. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank the employees for their dedication," Twietmeyer says.

For more information, contact:

Tina Twietmeyer, Office Manager
Eagle Drilling Services Ltd.
T: (306) 453.2506
F: (306) 453.2508
W: www.eagledrillingservices.ca