How a simple cement truck turned into a global energy giant

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1919 to solve the problem of leaky oil wells, Halliburton evolved from a small cementing operation into a worldwide leader in energy services. Along the way, it pioneered hydraulic fracturing and navigated massive corporate acquisitions, complex legal liabilities, and high-stakes government contracts that shaped the modern industry.

Erle P. Halliburton founded his company in 1919 after developing a method to seal oil wells with cement, a process that proved essential for drilling safety. By 1920, the company was known as the Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co. and had established headquarters in Duncan, Oklahoma. His innovations, such as the truck-mounted jet mixer, allowed the firm to scale rapidly alongside the expanding American petroleum industry.

The company’s growth trajectory shifted from local service to global operations by 1926, when it made its first overseas sales to an English firm for use in Burma. Over the following decades, Halliburton diversified its portfolio, entering the offshore services market in 1938 and acquiring an exclusive license for hydraulic fracturing in 1949. This technique, which uses high-pressure fluid to extract hydrocarbons from dense rock, became a cornerstone of the company’s revenue and a major factor in the development of shale oil and gas.

Halliburton’s history is also marked by significant diversification and corporate restructuring. In 1962, it acquired the engineering firm Brown & Root, which eventually became part of the KBR division. The 1998 acquisition of Dresser Industries brought the company into the spotlight for different reasons, as it inherited heavy liabilities related to asbestos. Following a period of intense government contracting during the early 21st century, Halliburton spun off KBR in 2006 to refocus on its core oil-field services business. Today, the company maintains dual corporate offices in Houston and Dubai, continuing its role as a global leader in upstream petroleum exploration.

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