ONEOK's New Facility Opened in April 2016

ONEOK, a leader in gathering, processing, storing, and transporting natural gas in the United States, was founded in 1906 under the name Oklahoma Natural Gas Company. The company changed its name to Oneok in 1980, and became a presence in the Williston Basin in 2004 as Bear Paw Energy. After the company became the majority interest owner of Northern Border Partners in 2006, Bear Paw Energy was renamed Oneok Partners.

"Our presence has continued in the Williston basin as our assets are uniquely positioned to capture flared natural gas inventory, as well as volumes from the substantial backlog of well connects and uncompleted wells from producers," explained Craig Forsander, Vice President of Oneok Rockies Midstream.

Sidney is home to the company's regional Williston Basin headquarters. In late 2014, the company broke ground at their current location, 896 25th St. SE, building a new facility that houses up to 85 office employees, has a large pipe yard and warehouse for plenty of storage and room for expansion. The facility, completed in March of 2016, is also equipped with high-tech audiovisual training space and teleconferencing equipment. It officially opened in April 2016, across the road from their previous location where they had rented a building with additional trailers for needed space.

As Oneok has become a fixture of the community, they have established themselves as a company that gives back. Community involvement is a mainstay for this Fortune 500 company, and in the last year they have donated or sponsored NFPA Compliant Turn-Out gear for the Arnegard Fire Department, contributed to the Richland County Boys and Girls Club Capital Campaign Fund, made donations to the Close Up Foundation in Sidney, Williston, Watford City and Killdeer, have contributed to the Dunn County Fair Association's Killdeer Hail Storm Relief Fund and the Southeastern Montana Area Revitalization Team's (S.M.A.R.T.) Baker Tornado Relief Fund, just to name a few, for a total of $324,194 in contributions in the Williston Basin this year.

Additionally, Oneok employees have volunteered for events across the area throughout the year. In Sidney, Mont., they have given their time to the Sunrise Festival of the Arts, the Richland County Fair, South Meadow Complex Demo Day, Day for Kids Carnival, Richland County Boys and Girls Club Haunted House, Trail of Treats, Eastern C Divisional Volleyball Tournament and Wine and Food Festival. In Williston, N.D., Oneok employees volunteered their time during Clean Up Williston and Bras for a Cause. Other volunteerism includes Pick Up the Patch, the McKenzie County Fair and Trail of Treats in Watford City, N.D., and Trick or Trunk in Dickinson, N.D.

"ONEOK's core value of service recognizes that good corporate citizenship is an essential and important responsibility. Our commitment to give back to the communities where we operate and our employees work and live includes financial contributions, as well as the time and talents of our employees," stated Forsander.

As the economic climate has changed in the Williston Basin, Oneok continues to provide stability for its employees and thrive as a company. They staff conservatively, based on how to best meet the needs of their customers and the company's core values, culture and stability makes it a company employees want to work for.

"We remain focused on attracting, developing and retaining high-caliber employees who fit our culture and align with our ever-changing business needs; we are committed to a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace, which are integral to our business strategy, and critical to our continued success," Forsander commented. "We expect to resume our suspended capital-growth projects as soon as market conditions improve. With the planning and development we've already completed, we're in a position to quickly resume these projects when the environment improves and our customers require these services."