Fracking as a way to mine oil and gas has increased dramatically in North America, helping oil production reach its highest level in several years. Fracking’s unique process of using sand and chemical-enriched water to crack underground rock and release gas and oil involves a dynamic site with a complex system of equipment and materials. The average fracking site creates about 135 jobs, and much of them require the use of heavy equipment to drill, extract, haul, and participate in close down. The fracking process faces many challenges associated with heavy equipment. Here’s how to overcome common fracking challenges by renting – rather than purchasing – some of that heavy equipment.

Match Your Equipment to the Fracking Levels

One major challenge with fracking is the uncertainty regarding site success. A well might prove to be dry or very rich in oil and gas. The inability to predict well success makes it hard to acquire equipment at the right level of needs for the fracking sites. A successful oil strike will suddenly need more trucks, but a lighter strike won’t need as many. Trucks and other heavy equipment are needed immediately, usually within a few days. The cost to maintain and transport an equipment fleet in uncertain conditions can be expensive. Instead, you can rent the equipment you need, where you need it. More readily available equipment helps a site overcome the challenge of correlating equipment with fracking levels.

 Depend on Reliable Equipment Maintenance

The fracking process relies on a large and varied fleet of trucks, trailers, cranes, excavators, and skid steers. Engines, compressors, hydraulic hoses, and other mechanical components require maintenance and often experience breakdowns. Pauses in production cost money, so regular maintenance and repairs are necessary. Site overseers often find it difficult to repair equipment in a timely manner for many reasons. Often sites are located in remote areas and across rugged terrain or roadways, which makes finding the right mechanic difficult. Northern climes and open prairies where fracking is common endure steady, strong winds and below freezing temperatures. Conditions like these can discourage mechanics from hiring on. Instead, equipment rentals remove the problem of finding a mechanic in a strange area. Equipment is serviced by the rental company. Hose and hydraulic repairs, oil changes, electrical resolutions, and other repairs keep your equipment running during the labor intensive production of fracking.

Enjoy Steady Equipment Rates During Fluctuating Oil Prices

Fracking is not only labor intensive, but expensive. Equipment investment has a hefty price tag as do the methods of drilling, injection, and oil retrieval.  Don’t forget the price of final shutdown, cleanup, and storage. These and other considerations make fracking more costly than the traditional extraction method of drilling for crude oil. Experts place a breakeven point for the fracking method of oil retrieval around $30 to $50 per barrel. These figures matter when the price of crude oil fluctuates. Low oil prices mean less profit for your operation. When oil prices drop, finding ways to save money in other areas is important. One way to experience steady equipment costs is to rent heavy equipment rather than invest in a fleet. Interest rates for an equipment purchase can be expensive. Rental prices usually do not fluctuate, and you will always have equipment pieces available when you need them. Your operation can overcome some of these common challenges that face the fracking industry when you utilize heavy equipment rentals. Many trucks, trailers, and cranes crucial to fracking are available at Myshak Group. Visit us and find out how we can help you at your current and future fracking well sites or to rent some equipment.