More than 10,000 direct Eagle Ford jobs have been created in past two years and most expect that number will more than double over the next two. The play is entering a producing phase where more operations and maintenance personnel will be needed. That's in addition to the office managers and oilfield workers who are making sure wells are being drilled on schedule. With the influx of workers, we also have more resources at our disposal. There have been Eagle Ford related job fairs almost every week over the past couple of months. If you want to stay up to date, be sure to visit our new Eagle Ford Job Fairs page, where we'll be tracking all job fairs. Over the coming month, there's a job fair in Robstown on December 7, 2011, and another in Laredo on January 13, 2012. In addition, you can always search for jobs right now at our Eagle Ford Jobs page.
While big dollars have been invested by operators gaining positions in the play, now is the time real investment begins. Eagle Ford drilling has eclipsed 200 active rigs and best estimates peg a peak at 250+ rigs. If each rig employees 50 or more direct workers, we have at least 2,500 more rig hands coming to the area. Add ancillary services who benefit from an uptick in business and you very easily get to the job boom we're experiencing today.