Oil driller lays off 50
By GAYLE WEBER
WaKEENEY -- More than half of WW Drilling's workforce was laid off last week due to low oil prices.
Three oil and gas drilling rigs were shut down after 50 employees had to be let go, according to owner Dusty Rhoades.
That leaves WW Drilling's workforce at about 40, with two oil rigs still in operation in western Kansas.
Oil prices have plummeted from as high as $140 per barrel in the summer to near $30 this month.
"No one was sure what that would be like after the first of the year," Rhoades said. "It's definitely a slowdown."
WaKeeney City Administrator Hardy Howard said not all the employees were based in WaKeeney, which helps spread the effect of the layoffs to multiple communities.
Howard said there could be a few jobs available in WaKeeney, but not at the same wage offered on an oil rig.
"We've got some little manufacturing, metal fabrication shops -- most of them are looking for people," Howard said.
Rhoades said if oil prices rise, he might be able to begin hiring back.
"Hopefully those will come back sometime," Howard said. "It may not be what it was, (but) maybe it will be able to sustain itself."