New City To Go Up Near Tioga -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

When I was growing up Williston had a population of about 10,000. If the average US family had 3.5 members (one mom, one dad, and 1.5 children, then there would have been about 3,000 men in Williston when I was growing up. Those 3,000 would have been of all ages, and would have included many who were retired and/or beyond the age of working.

Today, the local newspaper reports that Williams County commissioners had approved 4,500 more beds for man-camps in Williams County. 4,500 men is more men than we had in Williston when I was growing up, and certainly way more than those in the 18 to 35 age range which would probably be the average age range of those living in man-camps and working in the oil patch.

And remember, this 4,500 comes on top of the already numerous man-camps in Williams County and then there are several new hotels/motels that are completely contracted out to oil companies.

I don't think folks can comprehend how many men (and women) are now working in the oil patch in western North Dakota.

Here is the link. Here are the data points:

• Capital Oil Field Services of Round Rock, Texas: 2,500 beds; four phases; each phase with 67 buildings; near Tioga
• Ameri-Tech Industries of Center, Texas; 800-bed camp built over three phases; 12 miles north of Williston (near the 13-mile corner)
• Target Logistics of Boston, Massachusett; a 792-bed camp with an additional 100 RV hookups; along US Highway 2 near Tioga, next to its current 250-bed facility at that location
• Dennis Nehring, local resident; a 350-bed camp on his property off US Highway in Round Prairie Township, across from Williams County Road 5; dormitory style housing for Superior Well Service employees

All requests were approved by the Williams County commissioners.

Cable television will be standard in all man-camps. It is my understanding that North Dakota public television will be showing the 1954 classic, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" continuously once the man-camps are opened. There is talk that Warner Brothers/Coen Brothers will shoot a sequel to that movie with Johnny Depp playing the lead role opposite Oprah Winfrey now that she has free time (last daytime show taped and aired).