Eddy County drilling sector shows signs of life

Rising crude prices fuel uptick in hiring

CARLSBAD — Jobs could be returning to Eddy County as the oil and gas industry begins to show new signs of life in an area largely dependent on energy production for its economy.

Halliburton announced this week that it is looking to hire about 200 workers in the Permian Basin, an area which spans parts of western Texas and southeast New Mexico.

Jobs are available in several areas of the operation from management to labor positions, according to a statement from Halliburton spokeswoman Emily Mir.

Mir couldn’t specify how many jobs might be available in Carlsbad, but she said residents could find work in other areas of the Permian Basin region, including nearby Artesia.

“The Permian Basin is an important area for Halliburton and we’ll continue to make adjustments to our workforce based on business demand as needed,” Mir said in the statement.

Local officials said the energy industry is aiming to expand its focus in the area amid an uptick in gas prices and political support for the industry following November’s presidential election.

Shannon Carr, development coordinator with the Department of Development, said recent deals with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and increased support from President-elect Donald Trump have led to an increase in gas prices and potential growth in the industry.

“Our incoming president is pro-energy and pro-gas, which is great,” Carr said. “The industry is very complicated and hard to predict, but the prices are right and the companies are looking to expand.”

Carr said the area has seen growth in the job market during the past few weeks as companies have begun to seek additional land for operations, along with increased workforce needs.

Industry experts have said that the price of crude oil needs to be above $50 per barrel to be profitable.

On Thursday, prices on U.S. crude were at about $53 per barrel.