BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. — The continued growth of the oil and gas industry in North Central West Virginia was evident again with the opening of a new facility for Allied Oil and Gas Services.
When the company, which provides cementing and acidizing services to oil and gas companies, opened its first West Virginia operation located in Clarksburg during 2010, the facility employed 10 people, none from the local area. The new Bridgeport location will house 70 local employees along with eight pumps, three maintenance bays, and an on-site lab.
Its proximity to recent shale developments and necessary amenities drove the expansion.
“I need a workforce,” said David McLaurin, Allied’s CEO. “I need a a place that actually can [provide a workforce] and West Virginia, specifically the Clarksburg-Bridgeport area has a good workforce.”
On Thursday, McLaurin joined Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, state and local politicians, employees of Allied and representatives from oil and gas companies that contract Allied for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the facility.
“Anytime we can see an employer come in and expand businesses, that’s good for West Virginia,” Tomblin said.
North Central West Virginia, Harrison County in particular, has started to see economic development increase with the rise of the oil and gas industry. The new Allied facility is an example of resources begin utilized by the industry when they otherwise would not have been.”
“We’re standing on a piece of land that had absolutely no use just a few months ago,” Mike Romano, Harrison County Commissioner said. “They’ve turned it into a productive piece of land that’s going to have over 150 jobs here within the next 12 months.”
Plans to expand the facility are already in the works. McLaurin said they have the fortunate problem of already outgrowing what they have currently compared to the demand for service.
“The facility here’s got a lot of growth potential still,” he said. “Every time we add a piece of equipment, I need to hire anywhere from five to 10 more people. So a lot of the expansion is just bringing in the equipment.”
McLaurin said the company hauls out 40 truckloads of material each week, with demand increasing.