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Weatherford is one of the largest international oil and natural gas service companies. The company provides products and services for drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention of oil and natural gas wells, along with pipeline construction and commissioning. Headquartered in Switzerland, Weatherford operates in more than 100 countries across the globe and employs more than 60,000 people.〔(Weatherford Annual Report )〕 ==History== The company was founded in 1941 in Weatherford, Texas as the Weatherford Spring Company by Jesse E. Hall Sr.〔Riversand Company, ''(Customers )''. Retrieved 27 April 2010.〕〔Federal Court Of Appeals, ''(Jesse E. Hall, Sr., and Rhoda O. Hall, Petitioners v. Commissioner Of Internal Revenue, Respondent )'', 294 F.2d 82 (1961)〕 In 1948, the company was renamed Weatherford Oil Tool Company (WOTCO) with ownership by Jesse Hall, his son, Elmer, James E. Berry, and Juan A. Perea.〔Hall v. Commissioner Of Internal Revenue, 294 F.2d 82 (1961)〕 From its inception, the company pioneered an innovative technique and equipment for the cementing of cased-hole oil wells.〔 Originally marketed to U.S. well owners, Weatherford drilling and casing equipment was soon being used in the oil fields of Venezuela by the Gulf Oil Company.〔 In 1972, the separate company of Energy Ventures, Inc. was founded as an offshore gas and oil exploration and production company.〔FundingUnivers.com, ''(Weatherford International: Company History )''. Retrieved 27 April 2010.〕 In 1987, Energy Ventures was liquidated and re-established, and by 1990, had acquired Grant Oil Country Tubular Company.〔FundingUnivers.com, Weatherford International: Company History〕 In 1991, Weatherford acquired Petroleum Equipment Tools Company (PETCO).〔 Weatherford and HOMCO later merged operations to create Weatherford Services, the largest oil fishing/rental company in the world. In 1995, Weatherford merged with Enterra, becoming Weatherford Enterra Inc.〔 In May 1998 Energy Ventures, since renamed EVI, Inc. and Weatherford Enterra, Inc. merged, creating the current company now known as Weatherford.〔〔"(Weatherford Overview )." Weatherford International. June 6, 2002. Retrieved 23 January 2010.〕 In the next two years, Weatherford added a number of well-organized brands to its expertise, including Dailey, Orwell, Energy Rentals, Whiting, Williams, BBL and ECD Northwest. Weatherford also created a stronger completion competence with the addition of well-known brands in the sector such as Petroline, Cardium, Nodeco, McAllister, Johnson Screens, Houston Well Screens, Arrow, and CIDRA. In 2005, Weatherford acquired Precision Drilling Corporation’s Precision Energy Services and International Contract Drilling divisions. In July 2007, the company was featured in news media reports questioning operations of the company's foreign subsidiary, Weatherford Oil Tool Middle East, which had offices and equipment in the nation of Sudan.〔Walt, Vivienne, ''(A Texas Company In Sudan )'', CNN Money.com Fortune, 25 July 2007.〕 Since 1997, U.S. companies were forbidden by law to operate in Sudan, though foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies could still legally operate in that country if there was no involvement by the U.S. parent or any other U.S. person.〔Walt, Vivienne, ''A Texas Company In Sudan'', 25 July 2007.〕 Nevertheless, in response to media and investor criticism, the company announced that it would divest itself of any foreign subsidiary operations in countries sanctioned by the United States.〔〔 The next year, Weatherford withdrew from activities in Sudan and donated its in-country equipment as well as providing additional equipment, supplies, and funding to ''Thirst No More'', a humanitarian organization operating in Sudan.〔Laird, Kerry, ''(Weatherford Ending Operations In Iran, Cuba, Syria, Sudan With Loss )'', RigZone.com, 18 March 2008.〕〔Walt, Vivienne, ''(Weatherford makes amends in Sudan ), CNNMoney.com: Fortune, 14 May 2008.〕 In 2008, the company announced that it was shifting its place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland.〔"(Weatherford planning to relocate base to Switzerland )." ''Houston Business Journal''. Friday December 12, 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2010.〕 That same year, Weatherford completed its acquisition of V-Tech International, a pioneer in the development of mechanical power tong systems in the North Sea to improve rig safety.〔Anonymous, (Field-tested Power Tong Handles All Sizes Of Casing, Drillpipe, Tubing ), Offshore, 1 April 2008.〕 In May 2010, Weatherford's Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, facility accidentally released a cloud of ammonium persulfate that resulted in the evacuation of 500 workers from the surrounding industrial park.〔("Hazmat Called To Leetsdale Chemical Spill" ). WTAE-TV Pittsburgh. May 27, 2010. Retrieved on November 17, 2015.〕 On November 17, 2015, the same facility was destroyed by fire and explosion. Workers at the site were pouring hydraulic fracturing chemicals into a production tank when the fire started. The subsequent release of ammonium persulfate and sodium chlorite forced the evacuation of the park, as well as the lockdown of three nearby high schools. Eight people were injured in the fire. In April 2014, Weatherford announced that its board of directors approved the relocation of its legal domicile to Ireland from Switzerland. The company will continue to maintain its operational office in Houston, Texas. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Weatherford International」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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