Western Company of North America
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Petroleum industry |
| Founded | 1939 in Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
| Founder | Eddie Chiles |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Fate | Acquired by BJ Services |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Eddie Chiles (founder) |
| Products | Acidizing, fracturing, cementing services for oil and gas wells |
Number of employees | 5000+ |
| Parent | BJ Services (from 1995) |
The Western Company of North America operated from 1939 until 1995 as a service provider within the petroleum industry, headquartered in Texas. It was a trailblazer in developing the "acidizing process," a method designed to improve extraction rates from natural gas and oil wells.
History
Established in 1939 by Eddie Chiles in Fort Worth, Texas, the enterprise started modestly with just two trucks and a team of three. Western specialized in delivering technical solutions critical for oil and gas exploration and production.
Over time, the company grew into a leading oilfield services organization with expertise in acidizing, fracturing, and cementing operations. At its height, Western employed more than 5,000 personnel globally and achieved annual revenues surpassing $500 million. The firm also gained recognition for its prominent advertising efforts aimed at promoting investment in oil wells.
During the 1970s, Western managed an offshore drilling division overseen by Chiles' brother, which was eventually sold to Noble Drilling in 1991.
In 1990, the company moved its main offices to Houston. It also maintained an innovative oil museum initially based in Fort Worth before relocating it to Beaumont, Texas.
The acquisition of Western Company by BJ Services occurred in 1995. Eddie Chiles, the founder, died in Fort Worth in 1993.