Q. What do you most want people to know about your company?
A. Some companies boast that “Alaska is our home,” but few can say the Arctic is our home. For three decades Colville has consistently provided the industry with on-time fuel service regardless of the environmental challenges the North Slope frequently offers. Our pride is realized by knowing our clients can always count on our people to get the job done. “World Class Service at the Top of the World” is our motto and the words we live by.
Q. Where is your company located?
A. Our operations center is at Prudhoe Bay and corporate offices are located at 4300 B St. in Anchorage.
Q. What year was the company founded and by whom?
A. Colville, Inc. has its genesis as Colville Environmental Services founded by the late Harmon “Bud” Helmericks who came to Alaska in 1946 and later built a homestead at the mouth of the Colville River in 1958. Bud was a guide, author and bush pilot. Well before there was a Prudhoe Bay oilfield, Bud was guiding early seismic crews and assisting Northern Transportation with the first barge runs between the Mackenzie and Colville Rivers along the Arctic coast. The second generation, family-owned business is now owned by Mark Helmericks. The company started its fuel services at Prudhoe Bay in 1981 and its name was changed to Colville, Inc. in 1989. In 2000, Colville purchased Brooks Range Supply and continues to provide industrial supplies to include NAPA auto parts and True Value Hardware franchises. Brooks also operates the Prudhoe Bay General Store and the U.S. Post Office. 2002 saw the startup of Colville’s Solid Waste utility, which collects solid waste and provides recycling for areas west of the Kuparuk River and south along the Dalton Highway.
Q. What is the company’s primary business sector?
A. Of course operating on the North Slope is all about logistics, getting the right things delivered at the right time. Our core activity is fuel service starting with long haul of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel from Valdez or Fairbanks, operation of our new, 1.7 million gallon tank farm at Prudhoe, and subsequent distribution of fuel throughout the greater Prudhoe area. We are the primary provider of aviation fuels for Prudhoe’s Deadhorse Airport.
Q. Are there important projects the company is currently a part of or has done recently?
A. Major expansion of the Colville fuel storage facility was commenced in 2008 and reached initial operating capability late in 2009. Reaching mandated standards for 1.7 million gallons of fuel storage in terms of construction and environmental compliance is a huge undertaking but was met on schedule to supply our customers’ needs as the oilfield changed over to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel for 2010.
Q. How many employees does your company have?
A. Employment levels vary between seasons and generally range from 95 to 120.
Q. Describe the equipment your company might use and are there any new purchases planned?
A. The Dalton Highway fleet includes 13 tractors and 20 trailers with capacities of 10,000 gal. each. For local distribution and aviation service we currently operate nine smaller delivery tankers. The waste collection fleet consists of three Stellar Hook trucks that transport 27 cubic yard dumpsters and we have approximately 220 dumpsters in the field.
Q. Is your company expanding any of its operations or locations?
A. For 2011 Colville will maintain its current locations with a small increased activity for solid waste collection.
Q. Is the company changing any of its services?
A. Not at this time.
Q. What is your company’s main strength or its edge over the competition?
A. Experience and adaptability. In 30 years we have probably seen most surprises the North Slope can offer but our depth of employee experience and seasoned, innovative managers will be ready for the next one that comes along. So, our experience plus adaptability equates to the reliability our customers deserve and expect.
Q. What new markets, clients or projects did your company attract in the last year?
A. We added Eni as a solid waste customer in the last year.
Q. What is the most challenging job the company has undertaken?
A. There have been many challenging jobs along the way but a recent one that stands out is the fuel supply for ExxonMobil’s Pt. Thompson project. Pressed against freeze-up and delayed by the whaling season, Exxon barged their fuel supply to Pt. Thompson. Between September 24 and October 17, 2009, on an around the clock effort, Colville loaded 21 barges for a total of 86 truckloads and 806,100 gallons of diesel fuel as the ocean turned to slush. Talk about ‘just in time delivery!’
Q. What are the biggest obstacles to completing work the company undertakes?
A. Every North Slope service provider faces the same conditions as we do so we are no different. The national and world economic conditions present an unprecedented level of uncertainty for long term planning.
Q. What do you see as your company’s biggest challenge in the next five years?
A. Long term planning due to market uncertainty and adjusting to the continuously changing oilfield tempo.
Q. Does your company have an anniversary or other landmark event coming up?
A. 2011 marks 30 years for Colville. Next year, the Solid Waste Utility will have a decade behind it.
Q. What is the average length of time employee’s work for the company?
A. We have some “hands” that have been with us for 20 plus years but do not have a figure for average length of employment.
Q. What is your company’s safety record? What steps does the company take to ensure a safe work environment?
A. We have a stated goal to maintain a constant trend downward to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses to zero. That trend continues without interruption and our accident experience is significantly below the industry average. Through extensive training, company safety incentives and dedicated safety staff management Colville enjoys a well-established safety culture.
Q. Has your company been involved in any community projects or charities events?
A. None currently.
Q. Does your company have a Web site?
A. www.colvilleinc.com
