For months, many oil workers and those looking for jobs in the fields have been living in campers, cars and trucks in the local Williston, ND Walmart parking lot. This looks like it’s come to an end, as the store’s management posted notices on Monday that all campers had to be gone within 24 hours or be towed.

Walmart expressed various concerns that led to the eviction, including problems with litter and noise, and safety concerns from shoppers, particularly women, about walking through the parking lot. Some people even claimed to have quit shopping there entirely due to the problem.

While it’s understandable that Walmart would eventually take this position, it’s certainly not good news for those workers, and those looking for work. The current housing situation in Williston is extremely tight, and likely to get worse in the spring when the weather improves and more people come to the area looking for work.

One has to wonder how the campers themselves will respond. Will they give up and return home, or will they just look for other areas in Williston to park their campers while looking for work? Many may not have much to return to.

It’s all tough situation for all concerned. It’s hard to imagine living in a camper with no heat during the winter in North Dakota. The weather report for tonight calls for a low of two degrees – downright chilly, if not dangerous.

Another video in Timmy Octavian’s great series about working in the Bakken oil fields. This one describes some of the working conditions in the patch, which sounds pretty grueling. This is a good video to watch, especially if you’re inexperienced and looking for entry level work. He doesn’t mince words and tells it like it ... Read more >>

Christopher Thompson from Minneapolis was a temporarily unemployed architect, looking for work in the discouraging job climate of his industry. He moved to Bismarck because of a job offer from JLG Architects, but his first impression of the town was uncertain since a snowstorm was in progress when he arrived. However, he has now decided ... Read more >>

Here’s the second in Timmy Octavian’s very informative series of videos about working in the North Dakota oil fields. Octavian has been there and done that, so be assured this is coming from an experienced oil field worker. He talks about finding a place to live while you’re looking for a job, living in his ... Read more >>

Here’s the first of a series of videos done by Tim Octavian/poetskinny on YouTube. He speaks from experience and offers some really solid and practical advice about the job scene in the North Dakota oil fields, how to prepare, what to expect, etc. Check this video out, along with the others he offers for some ... Read more >>

Summit Energy Services was formed in 2010 to fill the need for logistical services in the Bakken when the oil fields went from exploration to production. Based in Williston, North Dakota, Summit offers a wide array of oil field support that allows rig operators to concentrate on doing what they know best—look for oil—without getting ... Read more >>

Here’s a short video that details the inglorious life in a man camp in the North Dakota oil fields. It ought to give you a brief glimpse of the life if you’re considering working in the Bakken.

This video is definitely worth checking out both for general interest as well as good info for those thinking of looking for work in the Bakken, especially if you’re a truck driver.

The location of North Dakota on the Upper Midwest makes it susceptible to experience extreme weather changes. North Dakota weather is known for severe weather. It is there where blizzards, floods, and hail often occur. Other disasters such as drought and tornadoes are likely. This US state also experiences four seasonal changes and each season ... Read more >>

It is no longer tranquil in the Peace Garden State, as prospectors flock Williston North Dakota in search of black gold. The oil boom sparked two to three years ago when Halliburton Co. from Houston, saw it fit to sponsor a wild card prospector in the area. At around the same time, Marathon Oil Co. ... Read more >>