In the Spring of 1998, Yellow Jacket Drilling’s Founder and Owner Richard LeBlanc began what would one day become one of the most successful drilling companies in the region. It first started in the foothills of the British Columbia oil fields in Canada. Fresh out of high school, running reel to reel recorders and seismic lines, Richard was introduced to the world of drilling. In the off-season, he found himself working in the U.S. and staying in the lower 48 when oil markets changed in the early 90’s.
Where It All Started
After working for drilling companies in the U.S., in 1998 Richard bought his first rig; a Boart Longyear BK-81 hollow stem auger drill rig. Yellow Jacket Drilling was born. Quickly it became 2 rigs, and in less than 5 years, YJD was operating 10 rigs and had an additional office staff of four and the start of a small shop. Fast forward 20 years, Richard & Yellow Jacket Drilling operate approximately 40 rigs in 15 states. Today, Yellow Jacket employs over 150 field operational staff and over 20 administrative and management staff.
Where It All Started
In the Spring of 1998 Yellow Jacket Drilling founder and owner, Richard Leblanc began what would one day become one of the most successful drilling companies in the region. It started in the foothills of the British Columbia oil fields in Canada. Fresh out of high school, running reel to reel recorders and seismic lines Richard was introduced to the world of drilling. Quickly metastasizing into environmental drilling in the United States in off the season Richard found himself staying in the lower 48 when oil markets changed in the early 90’s.
After working for drilling companies in the US, in 1998 Richard bought his first rig, a Boart Longyear BK-81 hollow stem auger drill rig, and Yellow Jacket Drilling was born. Quickly it became two rigs and in less than five years, YJD was operating ten rigs and had an additional office staff of four and started out of a small shop. Fast forward twenty years, Richard & Yellow Jacket Drilling operates approximately 40 rigs in fifteen states. Today Yellow Jacket employs over 150 field operational staff and over 20 administrative and management staff.