COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 213112

Support for Oil and Gas Operations

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

72companies1870–2000founding years66still active6no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedAtlantic Richfield Company
1870
FoundedBHP Billiton
1885
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
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
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
FoundedNewpark Resources, Inc.
1932
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedSmith International, Inc.
1937
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedGaz de France
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedBristow Helicopters Ltd.
1953
FoundedSchlumberger Limited
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedGenting Bhd.
1965
FoundedNational Oil Corporation
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
FoundedTom Brown, Inc.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
FoundedStatoil ASA
1972
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedPTT Public Company Ltd.
1978
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1980
EnvironmentSuperfund law makes polluters pay for cleanup.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedEnterprise Oil PLC
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedNational Oilwell, Inc.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1989
EnvironmentThe Exxon Valdez spill reshapes energy and shipping rules.
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.
FoundedOAO Tatneft
1994
FoundedTransMontaigne Inc.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
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

Atlantic Richfield Company →
Active · founded 1870
Atlantic Richfield Company, better known as ARCO, is the seventh-largest U.S.
Atlantic Richfield Company →
Active · founded 1870
Atlantic Richfield Company, better known as ARCO, is the seventh-largest U.S.
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…
Willbros Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1908 · Panama
With experience going back nearly 90 years, Willbros Group, Inc.
Willbros Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1908 · Panama
With experience going back nearly 90 years, Willbros Group, 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,…
Halliburton Company →
Active · founded 1924
Halliburton Company is a world leader in energy services, as well as engineering and construction.
Halliburton Company →
Active · founded 1924
Halliburton Company is a world leader in energy services, as well as engineering and construction.
Newpark Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Newpark Resources, Inc.
Newpark Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Newpark Resources, Inc.
Tejon Ranch Company →
Active · founded 1936
The Tejon Ranch Company, at the southern end of California's Central Valley, is the largest and one of the oldest…
Tejon Ranch Company →
Active · founded 1936
The Tejon Ranch Company, at the southern end of California's Central Valley, is the largest and one of the oldest…
Smith International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1937
1920s:Smith's company, now known as H.C.
Smith International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1937
1920s:Smith's company, now known as H.C.
Husky Energy Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1938 · Canada
Husky Energy Inc.
Husky Energy Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1938 · Canada
Husky Energy Inc.
Gaz de France →
Defunct · founded 1946 · France
Not content to be Europe's third largest provider of natural gas, Gaz de France (GDF) is gunning for that market's top…
Gaz de France →
Defunct · founded 1946 · France
Not content to be Europe's third largest provider of natural gas, Gaz de France (GDF) is gunning for that market's top…
McDermott International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
McDermott International, Inc.
McDermott International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
McDermott International, Inc.
Bristow Helicopters Ltd. →
Active · founded 1953 · United Kingdom
Bristow Helicopters Ltd.
Bristow Helicopters Ltd. →
Active · founded 1953 · United Kingdom
Bristow Helicopters Ltd.
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…
Schlumberger Limited →
Active · founded 1956
As oil is explored for and developed all around the world, so is Schlumberger Limited providing a range of oilfield…
Schlumberger Limited →
Active · founded 1956
As oil is explored for and developed all around the world, so is Schlumberger Limited providing a range of oilfield…
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.
Genting Bhd. →
Active · founded 1965 · Malaysia
Genting Bhd.
Genting Bhd. →
Active · founded 1965 · Malaysia
Genting Bhd.
Oceaneering International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Oceaneering International, Inc.
Oceaneering International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Oceaneering International, Inc.
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.
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.
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.
Global Industries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1973
Global Industries, Ltd., headquartered in Carlyss, Louisiana, is a major constructor of offshore oil and gas drilling…
Global Industries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1973
Global Industries, Ltd., headquartered in Carlyss, Louisiana, is a major constructor of offshore oil and gas drilling…
PTT Public Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1978 · Thailand
PTT Public Company Ltd., formerly the state-owned Petroleum Authority of Thailand before its privatization and public…
PTT Public Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1978 · Thailand
PTT Public Company Ltd., formerly the state-owned Petroleum Authority of Thailand before its privatization and public…
Seitel, Inc. →
Active · founded 1982
Seitel, Inc.
Seitel, Inc. →
Active · founded 1982
Seitel, Inc.
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…
Baker Hughes Incorporated →
Active · founded 1987
Baker Hughes Incorporated is the product of the 1987 merger of two oilfield-services companies with surprisingly…
Baker Hughes Incorporated →
Active · founded 1987
Baker Hughes Incorporated is the product of the 1987 merger of two oilfield-services companies with surprisingly…
National Oilwell, Inc. →
Active · founded 1987
National Oilwell, Inc.
National Oilwell, Inc. →
Active · founded 1987
National Oilwell, Inc.
Superior Energy Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Superior Energy Services, Inc.
Superior Energy Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Superior Energy Services, Inc.
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 Tatneft →
Active · founded 1994 · Russia
1970s:Oil production in Tatarstan reaches its peak.
OAO Tatneft →
Active · founded 1994 · Russia
1970s:Oil production in Tatarstan reaches its peak.
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.
TransMontaigne Inc. →
Active · founded 1995
Denver-based TransMontaigne Inc.
TransMontaigne Inc. →
Active · founded 1995
Denver-based TransMontaigne Inc.
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.
Build It Today

Starting a support for oil and gas operations company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.