Drilling rig to raise awareness of breast cancer

Nomac President Jay Minmier said the company is building 10 new PeakeRigs capable of working in any resource play being developed by Chesapeake. Each will have a vinyl-wrapped driller's cabin, or doghouse, thanks to a suggestion from Chesapeake Oilfield Services CEO Jerry Winchester.

The first rig was completed in September, with its front face covered in a diamond plate pattern like the rig floor as a backdrop for the company's logo.

It was designed by Chesapeake's marketing and communications team. Most of the remaining rig wraps will come from suggestions by the crews that work on the rigs.

“One of the first ideas that came in ... was a pink one,” Minmier said.

He said the idea, which came from a worker in Pennsylvania, was embraced quickly by other Nomac employees. Most of the company's 3,000 employees are men, but they all have mothers, wives and daughters.

“It's not often that you see pink in the field, but our employees wanted to show their support for this worthy cause,” Minmier said. “Our work is tough, but not as tough as battling breast cancer.

“As we work in areas across the country, we hope this pink ribbon doghouse serves as a reminder of the importance of finding a cure.”

Chesapeake recently donated $10,000 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central and Western Oklahoma chapter. The company intends to make a similar donation in Ohio, where the pink rig is expected to be sent.