SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio AirLIFE is now among the list of many interested parties watching and waiting to see what happens to production in the Eagle Ford Shale as consumers enjoy lower oil prices.
For two years, AirLIFE has stationed a medical helicopter in Pleasanton to be able to respond faster to the increase in injuries reported in the Eagle Ford Shale area.
"We have seen an increase of about six or seven flights per month to those counties associated with the Eagle Ford Shale," said Shawn Salter, president and CEO of San Antonio AirLIFE.
While many of the injuries are due to on-the-job oil industry accidents, AirLIFE has also responded to an increase in car wrecks, assaults, domestic violence incidents, and drug and alcohol related injuries.
"Its the bad byproduct of an industry growth that happens as quick as the Eagle Ford," Salter said.
But with the price of oil dipping to $50 a barrel and potential layoffs looming, the not-for-profit is wondering how much longer it will need to maintain a helicopter in Pleasanton.
AirLIFE hired additional pilots, nurses, paramedics, communications personnel and a maintenance officer to facilitate its operations in the Eagle Ford region.
That has amounted to a $3 million investment over the last two years, according to Salter.
"At this time, we feel comfortable with our staffing patterns as they exist today," he said. "Obviously we'll monitor those trends and if we need to we'll accommodate the loss of those positions through attrition hopefully."
AirLIFE, one of multiple medical helicopter services serving South Texas, is now among many waiting to see what booms next.