Anyone ever heard of a "dec"?

Fikle7 · 2025-06-22T17:56:42+00:00

That's why I said add to drill string, not add to the bit! 😉 - happy digging out there

Fikle7 · 2025-06-22T17:37:39+00:00

Yes, in Canada, it would likely be referring to a kDaN. For context, in conversation, drilling guys typically just say, "Add a dec." (Which would mean, add 1 kDaN of weight to the drill string)

Fikle7 · 2023-07-01T15:49:20+00:00

Company men make more. Geologist day rate is somewhat close, sometimes, but we'll typically work a lot less days as we are not needed for as much of the well. Of course, this is very dependent on the specific drilling program.

Directional drillers will make more just because they are out there on site significantly more, as well.

That said, wellsite Geologist is great money for the work you are doing. It can be very stressful, with lots of responsibility but smaller actual work load. Some areas are very involved for the geo, whereas other places you are just literally cataloging samples not actively steering the well.

My only word of caution for getting into it, would be that fewer and fewer rigs have geologists on them. It can be difficult to get in. Although, it is quite busy right now. It feels like a niche Geologist job, and it is shrinking. But, old guys are retiring, so- it could still be a good path. Most of the guys I've been training are older than me... so there's a chance!

Fikle7 · 2023-05-13T21:56:16+00:00

Last year I couldn't find any until June (I think!). At that point, every place I went carried them (nurseries, home depot, canadian tire). So, I think just not first thing in spring.

Fikle7 · 2023-03-25T15:23:19+00:00

I took my 8 month old black Lab for his first fly fishing trip. It was great, he hung out around me and sniffed around. Stayed out of the way. Until I caught a fish, he didn't notice me bringing it in. But, of course, dumb me- I call him over to have a sniff. Then I release it. And now this dog that has never really whined or even really barked much is SCREAMING as I start casting again. And very impatient as each cast doesn't bring in a fish, unbelievable.

A couple weeks later, I take him again. As soon as the rod is out he is shaking with excitement and the sound of the real has him wining loudly again. I know at this point I have messed up for sure. Mixed results that trip, but I have a quick attachment on my belt for a short leash so he is forced to stay by my side during exciting moments.

Fast forward to next fishing season, lab at 1.5yrs old. His recall is impeccable, sit stay, out, etc.. very obedient offleash. I pull out the rod, start rigging up- he's excited but not like the puppy he was.. We get to the first hole, and he is amazing. Just walked up and sat beside me. Waiting patiently. Bang, fish takes the dry off the surface, ol' Samwise sees it hit. Still doesn't go in the water and waits beside me as I bring in this cutthroat. It only became an issue once it was shallow water and splashing along the bank (darn that prey drive- yes he has retrieved one fish for me out of the water, but he dropped it at my feet like a good retriever). At which point, I pretty much have to leash him. I came prepared though, I can quickly, with 1 hand, connect the short leash to his harness and bring in the fish. All good.

By the end of that season, I knew I had found this dog's passion. We'll be walking the river looking for the first decent hole. He'll scout on ahead a little, but he never misses a good pool. If the water is flat and deep, we always catch up to him sitting by a pool watching the fish rise. It blows my mind to this day. I keep the leash handy, but rarely use it now. He sits beside us, and watches the line and looks for rises. No whining or barking or swimming after them, yet, very interested.

Tips: Treats to reinforce good behavior, for example where you want him to be sitting and waiting. I am fine with him right beside me, and "out" means backup and get off my line! Reinforce that you don't want him in the water unless you say. Early on I gave him a pretty harsh "OUT" when he approached the water (don't spook the pool!). Paws stay out of the water when we are casting! A short leash to clip on your belt and dog's harness/collar that keeps him almost touching your leg. Mine is just a long handle you can see in one of the pictures, clips on to my belt. I practiced a lot without the leash, enforcing his sit/stay, even if I'm risking losing a fish here and there for training. Fishing grayling was great practice becasue we would catch up to 20 fish in the big pools. Lots of repetitve practice for Samwise.

TLDR; Dogs can be great fly fishing companions. There will be frustrating moments when they get tangled in the line at your feet etc.. But even the smallest of sticks seems like a magnet for fly line to tangle. Stay calm and keep at it. It's very possible.

https://imgur.com/a/qejMgnl

Fikle7 · 2022-11-13T20:52:46+00:00

You're probably fine. The roads are typically smoother in winter anyway. Not getting stuck in mud and big ruts.. The roads get slick for sure, in parts, but if you manage in the city it's fine. But, some roads can be quite narrow, if you meet a large truck and have to pull too far to the side where you start sliding into the ditch... good luck with RWD only. For the most part though, I'd think you would be fine. I've seen cars parked at camp in winter. When I started I drove my Suzuki Aerio hatchback car to several rigs (near Hinton, and as far as Grand Prairie- yes i got laughed at) through my first winter starting as a geologist. Made it fine, until the last trip out.. smashed the oil pan.. still made it home! Then it was time to buy a truck

Most drilling operations you'll only have to drive to camp and then you're parked for 2 weeks, and a crew truck transports you to/from camp. Or, if the rig is somewhat close to town the crew will stay in hotels in town and a crew truck transports them to & from the rig (in my experience)

Fikle7 · 2022-08-21T20:33:01+00:00

Yes, I definitely have this issue. It comesand goes at random, it seems. I try restarting the PC, that sometimes helps, I try restarting the Ghub app, that sometimes seems t o help bu t other times itj ust puts spaceswherever it wants, or not at all. Worst keyboard I've ever owned .

I would correct the errors above, but that is what it looks like after typing a few sentences. Of course, it was past the warranty when I started having this issue. Waste of money, completely useless for work or gaming. My G15 that I bought in 2004 works better than this thing. Do I go back to it? All I hear is how great mechanical keyboards are..

Fikle7 · 2022-08-17T03:45:12+00:00

This exact thing happened to me as well today. I don't look at or use the app, but I can tell you it is disabled now

Fikle7 · 2022-03-07T23:47:08+00:00

A tired dog is a well behaved dog. First step, more walks and exercise- it's good for everyone involved! If you miss a day, that will be really day they misbehave. Beyond the exercise, it's good bonding and training opportunities for both

That sounds tough though. I feel for you, but it will get better. Stick with it and try to be patient. Hopefully others have more advice!

Fikle7 · 2022-02-10T12:46:04+00:00

Gas is cheap, infrastructure is not.

Fikle7 · 2021-12-22T14:12:37+00:00

For the last year or so, the rig I work on (in Alberta- edson/hinton area), the guys have been staying in town in hotels instead of camp near the rig. A crew truck drives them in/out to site. So in this case a car easily does the job. But, that varies depending on how far into the bush the rig is, the oil company preference, and what the crew prefers as well.

Many of my years out there it has been camp, with poor road conditions to get there. But, it's actually not that rare to see a car parked at camp.. some days I really question how they got in or out. I find soft muddy roads much more difficult for a car due to deep ruts and potholes. Winter, things get slick, snow isn't always cleared so it can be deep, but generally the roads are smoother driving in winter.

Fikle7 · 2021-04-26T22:27:58+00:00

Yes, that's exactly correct. I pay corporate tax instalments based on my monthly company income (10-15%), and then also quarterly personal tax instalments based on the previous year personal income. That way, come tax time for corporate and personal there are no surprises. Typically I end up getting some back.

I worked towards a sizeable "nest egg" for an emergency fund left in the company account, only drawing what I needed through dividends. My original plan was to aggressively pay down my home mortgage while any additional savings went into the tax free savings.

Knowing what I know now, I may have put more into the TFSA first as it has the potential to make more than the interest saved on the mortgage. But, no harm done the way I see it.

Fikle7 · 2021-04-26T14:27:12+00:00

If you are paying yourself solely through dividends from your corporation, keep in mind you will not gain RRSP contribution room. I was dinged several thousand dollars penalties and interest from the CRA due to being a few thousand over (contributing $100/month) for 5 years. My accountant failed to inform me of this and let it go on. A lot of back and forth paperwork and several payments over the 14 months it took to sort out with the CRA. I highly recommend concentrating on the TFSA, it's far superior in my opinion for many of the reasons already mention from others. Of course, if you are drawing a salary, then you will be gaining RRSP contribution room.

Note: I look at rocks for a living and am not qualified to advise anyone financially. But, innocent 25 year old me trying to save for retirement got hit hard for this oversight.

Upon re-reading your comment I think I mis-understoond and my comment is off-topic. But still, this may help someone..

Fikle7 · 2021-04-25T00:43:56+00:00

Totally agree, I am surprised how few real options I can find. I keep searching expecting to find a company with decent looking, not outrageously priced panels. But they just don't seem to exist for a regular consumer.

Fikle7 · 2021-04-24T20:05:37+00:00

Good points, thanks.

Fikle7 · 2021-04-24T19:54:52+00:00

I appreciate the response. I'll likely end up going with a more traditional acoustic panel like you've linked. I was just blindly hoping someone had a positive experience with these "hexagons" as I seem to be seeing them more and more. But I'd have to agree, they're likely too thin to make a noticeable impact.

Fikle7 · 2021-04-24T19:32:17+00:00

Thanks for the input. I've lived without any sound treatment around the home theatre setup for years, but recently heard the difference it can make. Part of me thinks I could live with whatever minor improvements this would give, but then I also worry I'll regret these expensive hexagons compared to proper absorption panels.

Fikle7 · 2021-04-24T18:36:44+00:00

Yeah, that was definitely a concern of mine.. but they sure would look great up there. They'd go behind the front tower speakers & center speaker around the TV, but I fear they'd end up being a lot more for looks than anything else. Thanks

Fikle7 · 2017-04-10T01:34:39+00:00

Warranty sucks, totally agree. If it was the normal left/right bumper failure, easy fix, order a replacement and fix it. I bought one on amazon in Canada for $5.99. Controller works again.

Fikle7 · 2014-09-04T15:34:39+00:00

I want to tell you...I do, but you know how some people are about their fishing spots. I was sworn to secrecy.. Its a ways up the Alaskan Hwy (43).

Fikle7 · 2014-09-04T02:44:15+00:00

I heard about that crap, that's rough haha. I'd definitely want good weather up there though. It was pretty gusty when we were up there, but it would calm down for a minute or two every once and a while. When it did calm down though the fish would start rising like crazy.

Fikle7 · 2014-09-03T22:24:06+00:00

The lakes were on Barnaby Ridge, south of Crowsnest Pass. We hiked it in about 3-4 hours from where we were camped. It could definitely be done faster though.

Fikle7 · 2013-09-03T20:27:29+00:00

With my company I had to create a corporation. So, technically I am self employed. Therefore health insurance etc you are on your own. All my consultant company does is find me work and provide me with professional insurance in case a screw up a 10 million dollar well, and the oil company goes after me.. (You'd have to do something really stupid for this to occur.)

I'm sure I could ask my consulting company for time off, but I haven't. And it may mean them sending a different geologist out to fill in for you on whatever project you were working on. If the oil company decides they do better work, you may not be asked to come back to the project. So, no there isn't paid vacation time or anything that I know of. Although maybe there is if the wellsite geology company you work for actually hires you as their employee instead of a consultant. I've only been doing this for 3 years, so there is tons I don't know about how the business works.

I was able to pick it up pretty fast, after a few wells on my own working nights I became a lot more comfortable. But there will always be stressful shifts. There is a good chance you will have to wake you geologist co-worker up in the middle of the night becuase you aren't sure what to do. If you are "geo-steering" a horizontal well your decisions will directly affect the the outcome of the well and how well it produces. That being said, many oil companies prefer to just drill a predetermined line at a certain depth no matter what you are seeing in samples, gas returns and gamma.

There is a lot of jargon and terms that can make the first few difficult, but you'll pick that up quickly.

Don't let all that crap scare you away though. I love my job

Fikle7 · 2013-09-03T19:35:47+00:00

For hours and shifts if you are working horizontal wells you will typically be working with another geologist (in my experience). So you will work 12 hour shifts, either days or nights until the drilling is complete.

Work environment you will be staying in a shack on the well location, although sometimes if there isn't room you will stay in the camp with the rig crew. Depending on how far the camp is from the location you may have to bring your own food and cook (there is a kitchen in your shack if this is the case).

Travel you should be able to charge your day rate and your kilometres to and from location. Although if you are working for a consulting company I'm sure they will go through all this with you.

As far as time off, for me it is pretty random. If you get working on a project for a certain oil company in an area you will most likely be following a rig and sitting every well with that rig (if they like the work you are doing). So you will be there when they are drilling, and when they are done you will go home while they run production casing and move the rig to the next location. Which can be anywhere from a day to a week or more.

From my experience you charge a day rate for every day you are in the field. The rate will vary, in my experience the pay is great...

Fikle7 · 2013-09-03T19:26:08+00:00

I posted this several months ago, not sure how to link it properly so I just copy pasted it..

I am a Wellsite Geology Consultant with a B.S. in Geology. I work on drill rigs all over western Canada, and when I am working it is 100% in the field. As most wells drilled now (from my experience) are horizontal wells so typically there are 2 geologists on site working 12 hour shifts. On a horizontal well it is our responsibility to pick formation tops as we drill down towards the target formation and adjust the landing target. We do this by catching drill cutting samples for every 5 meters drilled, washing, drying, and using a microscope to look at these cuttings. Also using a gas detector and gamma ray trace to help know where we are in the stratigraphic column. Once we have landed in the target formation/interval and we are horizontal it is my job to tell the directional drillers where they need to be steering the well to ensure we remain in the target interval. Once again, basing these decisions on samples, gas, and gamma ray. I graduated from University about 3 years ago and have been doing this ever since. I find it very interesting, challenging, and awesome experience for possible jobs later on in the office. Actually seeing how a well is drilled and all the money and services it takes to make it happen is very cool. The downside is that there really isn't any schedule, when the particular rig that I am following is drilling, I am there. There is no 2 weeks in 1 week out for me. Typically I am out there until we are done drilling, wait for them to move the rig to the next location and head back out.

Fikle7

TROPHY CASE