FEBRUARY 2020 BCBUSINESS 55
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IN THE NORTHEAST, LOCAL COMPANIES SERVICING
THE STRUGGLING ENERGY SECTOR COMPLAIN THAT
B.C. TAX POLICIES GIVE RIVALS FROM NEIGHBOUR-
ING ALBERTA AN UNFAIR EDGE. BUT AS BUSINESSES
BASED IN BOTH PROVINCES FIGHT FOR WORK, THE
INDUSTRY'S PROBLEMS ARE MUCH BIGGER
advantage
November marks the start of drilling
season in the Peace River Regional District in northeastern B.C.
Temperatures start falling consistently below freezing, harden-
ing the swampy roads that cut through the boreal forest outside
cities like Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. The giant 24-wheel,
11-axle trucks that haul oilfield rigs and heavy equipment to
well sites would sink if the mud weren't frozen solid.
Winter should bring hectic times for Sandy Beech, owner
and president of Fort St. John–based
D.R.S. Energy Services and
president of the Northern B.C. Truckers' Association. His busi-
ness specializes in moving rigs for oil and gas companies like
Calgary-based
ARC Resources and Storm Resources and U.S.
giant ConocoPhillips. He employs between 40 and 50 people
to operate 27 trucks, plus trailers, pilot cars and other vehicles,
which add up to about 130 pieces of equipment. This year, how-
ever, Beech isn't racing to fulfill contracts. He's fighting to keep
his business afloat and operating in B.C.
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b y D E E H O N
p o r t r a i t b y H O P E L I N Z E E P H O T O G R A P H Y
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