Baker Hughes History

A Brief History

Baker Hughes is the combination of many innovative companies that have developed and introduced technology to serve the petroleum service industry. Their combined history dates back to the early 1900s.

In 1907, Reuben C. Baker developed a casing shoe that revolutionized cable tool drilling. In 1909, Howard R. Hughes, Sr. introduced the first roller cutter bit that dramatically improved the rotary drilling process. Over the next eight decades, Baker International and Hughes Tool Company became worldwide leaders in well completions, drilling tools and related services. The two companies merged in 1987 to form Baker Hughes Incorporated.

During its history, Baker Hughes has acquired and assimilated numerous oilfield pioneers including: Brown Oil Tools, CTC, EDECO, and Elder Oil Tools (completions); Milchem and Newpark (drilling fluids); EXLOG (mud logging); Eastman Christensen and Drilex (directional drilling and diamond drill bits); Teleco (measurement while drilling); Tri-State and Wilson (fishing tools and services); Aquaness, Chemlink and Petrolite (specialty chemicals), Western Atlas (seismic exploration, well logging).

Baker Hughes has seven divisions that are organized in two segments: the Drilling and Evaluation segment and the Completion and Production segment. Our divisions serve the worldwide petroleum industry by providing best-in-class products and services used within oil and gas wells, pipelines and refineries.

(FLASH Timeline – 434 kb)

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