By April Garon

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Energy Drilling team in Natchez had two extra hands this summer, and they were quick to put summer intern James Avondet to work.

The Fort Worth, Texas, native has been immersed in both drilling and production, spending time at oil fields and rigs in neighboring areas as well as in the company offices. Avondet is a junior at the University of Oklahoma where he studies petroleum engineering.

“I’ve learned more about how an oil field works, different aspects of the engineering field and the options I have with my major,” Avondet said.

Avondet started the summer working with Biff Partridge, and independent petroleum engineer who works mainly in production.

He spent a month at Killins-Ferry field with Partridge, learning how to increase production.

“We worked over wells to increase production as much as possible so more oil could be pulled in,” Avondet said.

After learning about production, Avondet was sent to work on two rigs for one week each. He said he didn’t know what to expect at first.

“I came into the office and they gave me a hard hat, steel-toed boots and an address to drive to,” Avondet said. “I knew about the rig-hand stereotype that they were hard on new guys and each other, but they were all good workers, and I enjoyed my time there.”

He said he worked the same hours as any other trainee would, clocking in 12-hour shifts, seven days straight. Avondet worked rigs in Summit and Liberty.

“It was exhausting work, I was covered in mud,” Avondet said.

The rest of the summer Avondet has been working from Energy Drilling’s offices under drilling manager Jody Helbling.

“He’s showed a lot of enthusiasm,” Helbing said. “We’ve showed him how our business works in the real world. He’s had a good mixture of experiences. It’s been good for him.”

Avondet’s duties at the office include inputting data such as daily depth reports and learning how the bid process works.

The oil business is something Avondet has always wanted to pursue, and he’s prepared himself with his major.

He said the petroleum engineering program at University of Oklahoma is one of the top five programs in the nation. But Avondet said he’s learned there’s more to success than just what you study.

“You can’t visualize all these things they tell you about in school until you see it for yourself,” Avondet said. “Getting out and seeing the things you are learning and building toward is just as important as good grades.”

He said the experiences he had at his internship will have a big impact on his academic career — especially his time working on the rigs.

“Working on the drill rigs has scared me into studying all the time,” Avondet said. “It’s the best motivation I’ve ever had.”