Gwich’in, Ensign link up in new Mackenzie Delta drilling company

Gary Park

A new Native-controlled oil and gas drilling company has been formed to provide oilfield services in a land claims area of the Mackenzie Delta that is seen as a likely route for any Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Gwich'in Oilfield Services, 51 percent owned by Gwich'in Development Corp. of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, and 49 percent by Calgary-based Ensign Drilling, is expecting to start operations this winter.

The Gwich'in settlement area covers 22,422 square miles and is governed by the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

Gwich'in Development Corp., wholly owned by the tribal council, has a mission to build an investment portfolio that offers business opportunities, employment and training to Gwich'in residents.

Tom Connors, chief executive officer of the corporation, said Sept. 10 that the deal with Ensign gives the community a chance to participate in the development of oil and gas resources.

Ensign president Selby Porter said his company's experience and equipment make it the right choice to work with the Gwich'in people.

"The development of a local work force and infrastructure is key to the continued development of oil and gas resources of the Arctic region of Canada," he said.

Formation of the new company was announced Sept. 6.