GPS Vehicle Tracking Saves Energy Company $200,000 Annually

Questar Exploration and Production predicts savings of $200,000 this year by more-efficiently dispatching contractors to its well-sites using GPS vehicle tracking systems being installed this month.

Vernal, UT (PRWEB) February 7, 2006

Questar Exploration and Production predicts savings of $200,000 this year by more-efficiently dispatching contractors to its well-sites using GPS vehicle tracking systems being installed this month.

Dennis Paulson, Senior Operator, Questar E & P., said GPS vehicle tracking will save his company 10% or more on fees paid each year to contractors who remove waste water from Questar’s wells.

The GPS tracking systems allow Paulson to see, on a computer screen, which contractor is closest to a company well and to send them instantly instead of first calling several contractors and determining who to send. This system helps Questar avoid paying a contractor to drive 20 miles to a particular well when another contractor is only 5 miles away, Paulson said.

The GPS systems also help with verifying service visits to each well, Paulson said. The system displays the exact time and date a GPS-equipped vehicle was at a particular well for the past 90 days, he said. This eliminates the old, paper-based verification system.

“Now, thanks to the GPS tracking system, we know what is going on,” Paulson said, “instead of nobody.”

Some contractors have been “upset, a little nervous,” Paulson said. Any change causes stress, he said, but having a clearer picture of daily operations has allowed the contractors to schedule days off better.

The Vernal office purchased 10 GPS vehicle tracking devices and is installing them in contractor’s vehicles. Future contracts may require contractor’s vehicles be GPS-equipped before they can service Questar wells, Paulson said.

“Installation has been a piece of cake,” Paulson said, “even I can put them in.”

Questar selected GPS systems manufactured by Fleet Management Solutions, San Luis Obispo, CA and sold by My Vehicle WatchDog.Info, Orem, UT. These systems were selected because they offer coverage in rural areas, where conventional, cell phone-based GPS devices don’t reach, Paulson said.

Contact Ken Sink at 801 458 8916 for more information.

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