Charlie Brister

I am no longer in the directional drilling business due to the industry downturn. Since many of us will not be returning to the oil fields, those who have this experience will be fewer in number, and the demands on their time will be great.

I am a directional driller, one of those fellows who steers a drill bit into petroleum targets thousands of feet beneath the surface of the earth. … Regardless of how we as individuals in the oil and gas industry cope with this downturn, all of us, as well as our society, will in time face the consequences of having lost this rig and the hundreds more now lying in the grass. I believe that within 2 to 4 years we will be facing a serious shortage of natural gas and the roughnecks will be asked to “come back, please!” Some will walk away and never look back. As for me, I hope that finally the United States is serious about alternative energy, because our very survival is at stake.