Derrick Big Eagle was named Saskatchewan oilman of the year on June 5 at the 16th biannual Saskatchewan Oil and Gas show in Weyburn, SK.
The prestige of "Oil Man of the Year" is given to individuals that have made noteworthy contributions to the petroleum industry in Saskatchewan and other provinces. The show also provides the opportunity for the service and supply segment of the industry to showcase their latest products and technology.
Big Eagle, born and raised in Manor, SK started working in the drilling industry at age 15. And at age 25 he was the youngest drilling rig manager in southeast Saskatchewan. Big Eagle is of Native decent and his achievements in the oil industry have landed him the title of being the most successful Aboriginal owned business in Canada. Over his career, Big Eagle amassed valuable experience that led to co-founding Eagle Drilling Service Ltd and in 2011 the business was acquired by CanElson for $78 million. Now director, president and CEO at Cheveyo Energy Inc., Big Eagle said he believes the award is the highest ranking honour he has ever gotten and it means a great deal due to the passion he has for the oil industry.
"It is a true honour to have my name even mentioned, yet alone to receive the award," he said"I just think my involvement has always been in Saskatchewan and I've always been aggressive, a mover and a shaker. I think I may have done a few things to make people take notice."
Big Eagle is no new comer to awards; in 2006 he received the business of the year and new venture ABEX awards and in 2007 he received the Aboriginal business of the year award.
Former Enbridge executive and co-chair of the awards Bonnie Dupont commended Eagle's drive and contribution to the industry. "Derrick Big Eagle's story is a true Saskatchewan success story - a man who had a vision, and worked to realize that vision. A positive force in our industry and in our community," she said.
The occasion also honoured inductees to the Saskatchewan oil patch hall of fame, among the inductees were Marvin Romanow, Hank Swartout, Stewart Hanlon and Murray Edwards. The award highlights Saskatchewan-born oil industry leaders who have made a positive mark on the industry in Saskatchewan and Canada as a whole. Murray Edwards is the owner and president of Edco Financial Holdings Ltd. and the chairman of Canadian Natural. And Hanlon is the former president and CEO of Nexen while Hank Swartout is the founder and former Executive Chairman of Precision Drilling Ltd.
Murray Propp, CEO of Paxton Energy praised the recipients of the award and said their expertise and impact goes beyond Canada. "These individuals are some of the brightest in the petroleum industry- not just in Saskatchewan, not just in Canada, but around the world. They are a testament to the leadership and talent our province produces," Propp said.
The Weyburn Oil Show Board is the sponsor of the event and was formed in 1984 to promote a biennial oil and gas industry trade show in the city of Weyburn. To this day they are one of the main sponsor's of the show which was developed by the Weyburn economic development committee. The goal of the committee was to attract visitors interested in the oil industry to promote the economic value of the industry to Weyburn and the province of Saskatchewan.
