Oil display to open in Watford City

WATFORD CITY A new and innovative oil education display with drilling and workover rigs will open to the public Monday in the Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County in Watford City.

Eighth-graders from Beulah are scheduled to visit the museum Wednesday and will be the first school group to tour the new display, said Jessie Scofield, project coordinator.

The museum is located in the Long X Visitors Center in Watford City

The display will feature a to-scale replica of a drilling rig and workover rig against a North Dakota backdrop. Both models will showcases the construction of a horizontal well and will also include replicas of trucks, tanks and all equipment typically found at a site.

The display will identify companies involved in the oil industry in North Dakota, tell the story of the industry's role in the economic infrastructure of the state, illustrate the environmentally responsible practices employed by the companies, and promote interest in the industry.

The display will also allow guests to see what happens below the surface of a well and how oil is extracted through geological formations while protecting our groundwater supply.

"With increased requests for drilling rig tours that are difficult to fulfill because of industry regulations, the museum decided we would work to bring a drilling rig to the public," said Scofield.

In the fall of 2010, the museum partnered with Mitchell Precision Replica Models in Bismarck to begin work on a to-scale replica of a drilling rig and work-over rig to be added to the existing oil display in the lower level of the Long X Visitor Center. The display will also feature supplemental educational videos and resources about careers in the industry.

"Thanks to the generous donations from individuals and businesses we are able to have this unique and important display available to the public in time to celebrate our 60th anniversary of oil in McKenzie County," said Scofield.

The project has already received support from a number of companies and other entities.

However, more funds need to be raised to complete the project in its entirety and Scofield is hoping companies will take advantage of what she calls a "long-term advertising opportunity." The display offers companies the chance to sponsor a piece of equipment that will be replicated to scale complete with the company color, name and logo.

The museum also is still looking for companies to sponsor the workover rig, tanks, trucks and the drilling rig itself.

The museum plans to hold a grand opening of the oil display in conjunction with a McKenzie County Oil Discovery 60th anniversary celebration in coming months.

For more information about the oil display project contact Jessie Scofield at jessieveeder@gmail.com or 770-8659 or visit (wwwecondev.mckenziecounty.net).

Oil display to open in Watford City