COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 211111

Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

122companies1853–2002founding years108still active14no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedKvaerner ASA
1853
FoundedSunoco, Inc.
1890
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedNorsk Hydro ASA
1905
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedAmerada Hess Corporation
1920
FoundedCompañia Española de Petróleos S.A. (Cepsa)
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedPertamina
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedDenbury Resources, Inc.
1951
FoundedApache Corporation
1954
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedDevon Energy Corporation
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
FoundedAbu Dhabi National Oil Company
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
FoundedArctic Slope Regional Corporation
1972
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedSuncor Energy Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedKuwait Petroleum Corporation
1980
EnvironmentSuperfund law makes polluters pay for cleanup.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedUnit Corporation
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1989
EnvironmentThe Exxon Valdez spill reshapes energy and shipping rules.
FoundedXTO Energy Inc.
1990
EnvironmentThe Clean Air Act amendments tighten emissions limits.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedMOL Rt
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedSpinnaker Exploration Company
1996
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedFortum Corporation
1998
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
EnvironmentThe Deepwater Horizon spill triggers sweeping energy rules.
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Kvaerner ASA →
Active · founded 1853 · England
Long known as the largest shipbuilder in Europe, Anglo-Norwegian Kvaerner ASA is redefining itself around three core…
Kvaerner ASA →
Active · founded 1853 · England
Long known as the largest shipbuilder in Europe, Anglo-Norwegian Kvaerner ASA is redefining itself around three core…
Exxon Mobil Corporation →
Active · founded 1882
Exxon Mobil Corporation is the second largest integrated oil company in the world, trailing only BP p.l.c.
Exxon Mobil Corporation →
Active · founded 1882
Exxon Mobil Corporation is the second largest integrated oil company in the world, trailing only BP p.l.c.
BHP Billiton →
Active · founded 1885 · Australia
BHP Billiton was formed through the 2001 merger of Australia's mining and oil giant BHP and U.K.-based mining group…
BHP Billiton →
Active · founded 1885 · Australia
BHP Billiton was formed through the 2001 merger of Australia's mining and oil giant BHP and U.K.-based mining group…
Sunoco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1890
Sunoco, Inc.
Sunoco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1890
Sunoco, Inc.
Unocal Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1890
Unocal Corporation ranks as one of the world's largest independent energy exploration and production companies.
Unocal Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1890
Unocal Corporation ranks as one of the world's largest independent energy exploration and production companies.
Nippon Oil Corporation →
Active · founded 1893 · Japan
Nippon Oil Corporation is Japan's largest importer and distributor of petroleum products, controlling about 25 percent…
Nippon Oil Corporation →
Active · founded 1893 · Japan
Nippon Oil Corporation is Japan's largest importer and distributor of petroleum products, controlling about 25 percent…
Norsk Hydro ASA →
Active · founded 1905
Norsk Hydro ASA is the largest public industrial company in Norway, with operations in three core areas: oil and…
Norsk Hydro ASA →
Active · founded 1905
Norsk Hydro ASA is the largest public industrial company in Norway, with operations in three core areas: oil and…
ChevronTexaco Corporation →
Active · founded 1906
1970s:Company is rocked by the OPEC oil embargo and the nationalization of a number of Caltex holdings.
ChevronTexaco Corporation →
Active · founded 1906
1970s:Company is rocked by the OPEC oil embargo and the nationalization of a number of Caltex holdings.
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company →
Active · founded 1908
Operating out of Denver, Colorado, St.
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company →
Active · founded 1908
Operating out of Denver, Colorado, St.
Comstock Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1919
Comstock Resources, Inc.
Comstock Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1919
Comstock Resources, Inc.
Amerada Hess Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
Amerada Hess Corporation operates as a leading integrated oil and gas concern involved in exploration, production,…
Amerada Hess Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
Amerada Hess Corporation operates as a leading integrated oil and gas concern involved in exploration, production,…
Occidental Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
Occidental Petroleum Corporation, an oil and gas and chemicals company, conducts its business through two major…
Occidental Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
Occidental Petroleum Corporation, an oil and gas and chemicals company, conducts its business through two major…
Talisman Energy Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1925 · Canada
Talisman Energy Inc.
Talisman Energy Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1925 · Canada
Talisman Energy Inc.
Compañia Española de Petróleos S.A. (Cepsa) →
Active · founded 1929 · Spain
Compañia Española de Petróleos S.A.
Compañia Española de Petróleos S.A. (Cepsa) →
Active · founded 1929 · Spain
Compañia Española de Petróleos S.A.
Kerr-McGee Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1932
From its beginning as a small drilling company during the Great Depression, Kerr-McGee Corporation has grown to become…
Kerr-McGee Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1932
From its beginning as a small drilling company during the Great Depression, Kerr-McGee Corporation has grown to become…
Husky Energy Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1938 · Canada
Husky Energy Inc.
Husky Energy Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1938 · Canada
Husky Energy Inc.
Pertamina →
Active · founded 1945 · Indonesia
Pertamina operates as a state-owned company that controls the oil and natural gas industry in Indonesia.
Pertamina →
Active · founded 1945 · Indonesia
Pertamina operates as a state-owned company that controls the oil and natural gas industry in Indonesia.
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A. →
Active · founded 1947 · Argentina
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A.
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A. →
Active · founded 1947 · Argentina
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A.
Callon Petroleum Company →
Active · founded 1950
Callon Petroleum Company has been searching the Gulf Coast for oil since 1950.
Callon Petroleum Company →
Active · founded 1950
Callon Petroleum Company has been searching the Gulf Coast for oil since 1950.
Murphy Oil Corporation →
Active · founded 1950
Murphy Oil Corporation is one of the smallest of the U.S.-based integrated oil companies.
Murphy Oil Corporation →
Active · founded 1950
Murphy Oil Corporation is one of the smallest of the U.S.-based integrated oil companies.
Denbury Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951
Denbury Resources, Inc.
Denbury Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951
Denbury Resources, Inc.
National Iranian Oil Company →
Active · founded 1951 · Iran
The second largest producer of oil among Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) companies in 2003,…
National Iranian Oil Company →
Active · founded 1951 · Iran
The second largest producer of oil among Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) companies in 2003,…
ENI S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1953 · Italy
ENI S.p.A., the former Italian state-owned Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi, is one of the world's top ten oil and natural…
ENI S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1953 · Italy
ENI S.p.A., the former Italian state-owned Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi, is one of the world's top ten oil and natural…
Apache Corporation →
Active · founded 1954
Apache Corporation is one of the leading independent crude oil and natural gas producers in the United States.
Apache Corporation →
Active · founded 1954
Apache Corporation is one of the leading independent crude oil and natural gas producers in the United States.
Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1956 · Egypt
The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) operates as a state-owned concern overseeing the petroleum industry…
Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1956 · Egypt
The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) operates as a state-owned concern overseeing the petroleum industry…
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1959
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation is the largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in the…
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1959
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation is the largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in the…
Sonatrach →
Active · founded 1963 · Algeria
Sonatrach, formerly Entreprise Nationale Sonatrach, is the Algerian state-owned oil and gas company.
Sonatrach →
Active · founded 1963 · Algeria
Sonatrach, formerly Entreprise Nationale Sonatrach, is the Algerian state-owned oil and gas company.
Devon Energy Corporation →
Active · founded 1969
With its headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, publicly traded Devon Energy Corporation is the largest independent…
Devon Energy Corporation →
Active · founded 1969
With its headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, publicly traded Devon Energy Corporation is the largest independent…
National Oil Corporation →
Active · founded 1970 · Libya
The National Oil Corporation of Libya (NOC) is a state-owned company that controls Libya's oil and gas production.
National Oil Corporation →
Active · founded 1970 · Libya
The National Oil Corporation of Libya (NOC) is a state-owned company that controls Libya's oil and gas production.
Pogo Producing Company →
Active · founded 1970
Pogo Producing Company is engaged in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas both domestically and…
Pogo Producing Company →
Active · founded 1970
Pogo Producing Company is engaged in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas both domestically and…
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company →
Active · founded 1971 · United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is one of the ten largest oil companies in the world.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company →
Active · founded 1971 · United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is one of the ten largest oil companies in the world.
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1971 · Nigeria
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is the holding company that oversees the Nigerian state's interests…
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1971 · Nigeria
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is the holding company that oversees the Nigerian state's interests…
Tom Brown, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Tom Brown, Inc., is one of the leading independent oil and gas firms in the United States.
Tom Brown, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Tom Brown, Inc., is one of the leading independent oil and gas firms in the United States.
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation →
Active · founded 1972
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) was established following the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement…
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation →
Active · founded 1972
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) was established following the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement…
Statoil ASA →
Active · founded 1972 · Norway
Formerly known as Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap AS, Statoil ASA is Norway's oil and gas powerhouse.
Statoil ASA →
Active · founded 1972 · Norway
Formerly known as Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap AS, Statoil ASA is Norway's oil and gas powerhouse.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) →
Active · founded 1974 · Malaysia
Petroliam Nasional Bhd, or Petronas, operates as a state-owned entity controlling Malaysia's oil and gas resources.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) →
Active · founded 1974 · Malaysia
Petroliam Nasional Bhd, or Petronas, operates as a state-owned entity controlling Malaysia's oil and gas resources.
Sasol Limited →
Active · founded 1979 · Republic of South Africa
Sasol Limited was formed in 1979 to hold the assets of the South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation (Sasol) and its…
Sasol Limited →
Active · founded 1979 · Republic of South Africa
Sasol Limited was formed in 1979 to hold the assets of the South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation (Sasol) and its…
Suncor Energy Inc. →
Active · founded 1979 · Canada
Suncor Energy Inc.
Suncor Energy Inc. →
Active · founded 1979 · Canada
Suncor Energy Inc.
Swift Energy Company →
Active · founded 1979
Swift Energy Company is a Houston-based independent oil and natural gas company with a dual geographical focus: the…
Swift Energy Company →
Active · founded 1979
Swift Energy Company is a Houston-based independent oil and natural gas company with a dual geographical focus: the…
Ultra Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1979
With its headquarters in Houston, Texas, Ultra Petroleum Corporation is an independent oil and gas company focusing on…
Ultra Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1979
With its headquarters in Houston, Texas, Ultra Petroleum Corporation is an independent oil and gas company focusing on…
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1980 · Kuwait
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) operates as a state-owned integrated oil and gas concern.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation →
Active · founded 1980 · Kuwait
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) operates as a state-owned integrated oil and gas concern.
Range Resources Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Range Resources Corporation is a Fort Worth, Texas, oil and gas company, primarily focused on the drilling of…
Range Resources Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Range Resources Corporation is a Fort Worth, Texas, oil and gas company, primarily focused on the drilling of…
Enterprise Oil PLC →
Defunct · founded 1983 · United Kingdom
Enterprise Oil PLC is the largest independent oil exploration and production company in the United Kingdom, competing…
Enterprise Oil PLC →
Defunct · founded 1983 · United Kingdom
Enterprise Oil PLC is the largest independent oil exploration and production company in the United Kingdom, competing…
Berry Petroleum Company →
Active · founded 1985
Berry Petroleum Company is a small independent oil producer whose reserves are mostly located in the California…
Berry Petroleum Company →
Active · founded 1985
Berry Petroleum Company is a small independent oil producer whose reserves are mostly located in the California…
Unit Corporation →
Active · founded 1986
Unit Corporation is a publicly traded Tulsa, Oklahoma, energy company with two complementary business segments.
Unit Corporation →
Active · founded 1986
Unit Corporation is a publicly traded Tulsa, Oklahoma, energy company with two complementary business segments.
Benton Oil and Gas Company →
Active · founded 1988
Benton Oil and Gas Company is engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties,…
Benton Oil and Gas Company →
Active · founded 1988
Benton Oil and Gas Company is engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties,…
Newfield Exploration Company →
Active · founded 1988
Newfield Exploration Company, based in Houston, Texas, is one of the most successful independent crude oil and natural…
Newfield Exploration Company →
Active · founded 1988
Newfield Exploration Company, based in Houston, Texas, is one of the most successful independent crude oil and natural…
XTO Energy Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
XTO Energy Inc., formerly known as Cross Timbers Oil Company, is a large independent Fort Worth, Texas, oil company…
XTO Energy Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
XTO Energy Inc., formerly known as Cross Timbers Oil Company, is a large independent Fort Worth, Texas, oil company…
OAO LUKOIL →
Active · founded 1991 · Russia
OAO LUKOIL is one of Russia's most successful efforts at capitalism following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
OAO LUKOIL →
Active · founded 1991 · Russia
OAO LUKOIL is one of Russia's most successful efforts at capitalism following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Westport Resources Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
Westport Resources Corporation is one of the 20 largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in…
Westport Resources Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
Westport Resources Corporation is one of the 20 largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in…
MOL Rt →
Active · founded 1992 · Hungary
Hungary's largest company, MOL Rt (formerly MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Rt) is also the leading integrated oil company…
MOL Rt →
Active · founded 1992 · Hungary
Hungary's largest company, MOL Rt (formerly MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Rt) is also the leading integrated oil company…
OAO NK YUKOS →
Active · founded 1993 · Russia
OAO NK YUKOS is the second largest of Russia's integrated oil companies, with an estimated 11.8 billion barrels of oil…
OAO NK YUKOS →
Active · founded 1993 · Russia
OAO NK YUKOS is the second largest of Russia's integrated oil companies, with an estimated 11.8 billion barrels of oil…
OAO Siberian Oil Company (Sibneft) →
Active · founded 1995 · Russia
Moscow-based OAO Siberian Oil Company, known as Sibneft, is one of Russia's top vertically integrated oil concerns.
OAO Siberian Oil Company (Sibneft) →
Active · founded 1995 · Russia
Moscow-based OAO Siberian Oil Company, known as Sibneft, is one of Russia's top vertically integrated oil concerns.
Belco Oil & Gas Corp. →
Active · founded 1996
Belco Oil & Gas Corp.
Belco Oil & Gas Corp. →
Active · founded 1996
Belco Oil & Gas Corp.
Spinnaker Exploration Company →
Active · founded 1996
Spinnaker Exploration Company is a Houston, Texas-based natural gas and oil exploration company operating in the Gulf…
Spinnaker Exploration Company →
Active · founded 1996
Spinnaker Exploration Company is a Houston, Texas-based natural gas and oil exploration company operating in the Gulf…
Pioneer Natural Resources Company →
Active · founded 1997
Pioneer Natural Resources Company is a gas and oil exploration, development, and production company, with onshore and…
Pioneer Natural Resources Company →
Active · founded 1997
Pioneer Natural Resources Company is a gas and oil exploration, development, and production company, with onshore and…
BP p.l.c. →
Defunct · founded 1998 · United Kingdom
Formed by the 1998 merger of British Petroleum Company and Amoco Corporation, BP p.l.c.
BP p.l.c. →
Defunct · founded 1998 · United Kingdom
Formed by the 1998 merger of British Petroleum Company and Amoco Corporation, BP p.l.c.
Fortum Corporation →
Active · founded 1998 · Finland
Fortum Corporation is an international energy group formed from the 1998 merger of two state-owned Finnish firms: Neste…
Fortum Corporation →
Active · founded 1998 · Finland
Fortum Corporation is an international energy group formed from the 1998 merger of two state-owned Finnish firms: Neste…
E.On AG →
Active · founded 2000 · Germany
E.On AG is the largest listed power generation company in Europe.
E.On AG →
Active · founded 2000 · Germany
E.On AG is the largest listed power generation company in Europe.
ConocoPhillips →
Active · founded 2001
ConocoPhillips is the third largest U.S.
ConocoPhillips →
Active · founded 2001
ConocoPhillips is the third largest U.S.
Bill Barrett Corporation →
Active · founded 2002
Bill Barrett Corporation is a publicly traded, independent oil and gas exploration and development company,…
Bill Barrett Corporation →
Active · founded 2002
Bill Barrett Corporation is a publicly traded, independent oil and gas exploration and development company,…
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