"It's going to be a pretty busy winter," said the town's band manager Joseph Kochon.

Shehtah-Wilson Drilling Partnership, contracted by Paramount Resources Ltd., will use this rig to drill 20 miles south of Colville Lake. Paramount is also drilling in Fort Liard and Cameron Hills this winter. - photo courtesy of Shehtah-Wilson Drilling Partnership

As soon as the winter road is ready, both Paramount Resources Limited and Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) will truck rigs up to Colville Lake. The companies plan to start drilling as early as possible in January.

Paramount's rig is presently docked in Norman Wells while CNRL's rig is waiting in Fort Good Hope.

CNRL plans to drill about 20 miles west of Colville Lake. Paramount is focusing on Sahtu land about 20 miles south of town and plans to start seismic on government land northeast of Colville Lake.

Petro Canada made significant discoveries in the area decades ago.

"We analyzed that information and we think there is potential," said Maaskant.

All told, Paramount Resources will spend $16 million in the area this winter, and drill one well. If they strike oil or gas, the company will likely drill another well this winter.

"If we find oil and gas," said Maaskant, "the next step is to find additional reserves. It's highly unlikely that one well could produce sufficient reserves to encourage anyone to build a pipeline."

But warm weather and lack of snow is holding up construction of the winter road, and stalling the projects.

The companies need to get rigs to Colville Lake fast because of the limited three-month drilling season. The ground must be frozen in order to drill or the rigs could sink.

Both companies are working with the government to build up the portion of the road they are responsible for.

"If these oil companies want to get in, they're going to have to build up the road," said Kochon.

Kochon said the project will mean jobs for Colville's young people this winter. And the town can't wait to hear if oil and gas lie beneath its land.

"We're hoping for the best," he said.