‘Man camps’ adding beds in the Oil Patch
Oil and gas boom is fueling growth of lodging in Carlsbad and elsewhere
Two hundred more “man camp” beds are coming to Carlsbad to house oil and gas workers during a production boom in the Permian Basin.
Target Hospitality said it plans to expand workforce housing under construction, driven by increasing demands and extraction activities in the region.
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said investment in workforce housing continued to grow the city’s tax base, and a recent announcement by ConocoPhillips that the company plans to open a field office in the area is proof that the region is undergoing sustained growth.
“All of the individuals who come to Carlsbad to
work spend money here and help our tax base, and we’re certainly glad that these workers will have quality lodging,” Janway said on Tuesday.
“This expansion announcement and ... ConocoPhillips ribbon cutting of a new field office both confirm what we already know — that Carlsbad is at the epicenter of the shale revolution, and that it isn’t going anywhere.”
Janway said adding more housing intended specifically for industry workers would help drive down hotel rates and encourage tourists to stay in Carlsbad when visiting.
“These temporary houses are used to house contract workers. As the workforce in Carlsbad stabilizes, we need to work with all of our partners in the area to double down on efforts toward producing long-term housing and infrastructure.”
In February, Target announced a 400-room community and another 200 rooms in May. Both will be expanded by 100 rooms.
Each community is supported by “multi-year” contracts with mayor oil and gas companies, read a Target news release, increasing its regional room availability from 600 to 800 rooms.
Both expansions were expected to be operational by the end of 2019, the release read.