Sidewinder’s Gallegos: People will pose biggest challenge for drilling industry

The recruitment, training and retention of workers will pose the single biggest challenge for the drilling industry in the next few years, said Anthony Gallegos, President and CEO of Sidewinder Drilling, in a 17 May video from the 2018 IADC Drilling Onshore Conference and Exhibition in Houston. “Our business is coming off a historic downturn, drilling activity has increased significantly over the last 18 months, and it’s expected to keep growing,” Mr Gallegos said of the need for additional workers, which will be exacerbated by the departure of experienced workers and by low unemployment levels in the US. To attract and retain workers, Mr Gallegos said Sidewinder is focused on making the company a desirable place to work, not only in terms of pay but also benefits, corporate culture and training.