OLN Original Series The Rig Begins Production on Second Season

From a media release:

  • Production underway with story of three way partnership between
    Bigstone Cree Nation, Bronco Energy and Bronco Drilling

OLN together with Edmonton based Anaid Productions announced today that principal photography has started on season 2 of the original OLN series “The Rig: Oil Sands.” In the new season, travel to the Athabasca oil sands belt on Bigstone Cree Nation land in the Wabasca/Desmarais area of Alberta where hundreds of young people struggle to hit pay dirt in the greatest blue-collar cash haul since the gold rush. This season, the series goes in a new direction, following the unprecedented partnership between Alberta’s Bigstone Cree Nation, Bronco Energy and Bronco Drilling. “The Rig: Oil Sands” will also feature Rig Manager Donny Macphee, the fiery leader of the rig crew featured in season one.

“This season offers an even grittier, edgier look at life on the rig,” said Patrice Baillargeon, executive producer for OLN. “This original series is a perfect fit with OLN’s lineup of rugged, experience-based programming and we are very excited about what the series has in store for season two.”

“Not only will we feature the fascinating people who make up a rig crew, but this season the drilling is set in an important larger backdrop with drilling occurring on First Nations land with many members of their community working on the rig,” says Margaret Mardirossian, executive producer for Anaid Productions. “This will add a whole new dynamic to the show that will tell a leading edge story about the oil and gas industry – one that puts the Big Stone Cree Nation front and centre as partners in their own future. We will have the opportunity to show both native culture and rig culture through this series.”

“First and foremost we want to bring attention to First Nations involvement in the oil and gas industry,” says Jim Esposito, Chief Operating Officer of Bronco Energy. “We have a unique deal with Bigstone and it’s such a great example of a positive partnership that we hope more entities will want to do business with them.”

“Building a relationship of trust was the key to developing the synergy that made this joint venture possible and will sustain it over many years,” said Chief Francis Gladue of Bigstone Cree Nation. “We’ve created this synergy between our leadership and our people and their executives and their people on the ground that’s a very positive relationship. It’s different than anything I’ve seen since I’ve been leader of this community.”

“It’s a wonderful story which will make for great television,” says Larry Holman, Vice President of Operations and Business Development for Bronco Drilling. “It’s a great opportunity to portray the dynamics between an oil company and a drilling company who are working in partnership with a First Nations community drilling on traditional native lands with their workers in the mix. I think people will be curious about the personal and cultural elements that will be part of the story.”

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2 thoughts on “OLN Original Series The Rig Begins Production on Second Season”

  1. Can I buy complete copy’s of the Bronco Drilling series and if so How do I do it.
    Bronco Drilling was my concept before I had medical problems and had to retire from Bronco Energy
    Would love to have a set to show my grand kids
    Ken Ross
    Retired Operation Manager Bronco Drilling
    109 Invermere Close
    Chestermere, Alberta
    T1X 1L3

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