Introduction

From drill bits to digital solutions, Baker Hughes has evolved to become one of the crucial service providers underpinning the oil and gas industry. For over a century, Baker Hughes has pioneered technologies enabling more efficient and productive hydrocarbon extraction. Its portfolio of services spans the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the industry. By combining its legacy of innovation with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and automation, Baker Hughes is positioned at the forefront in helping energy companies optimize operations and lower emissions.

History and Overview

The genesis of Baker Hughes dates back over a century ago in 1907 when Reuben C. Baker invented a revolutionary drill bit with three rolling cones that dramatically improved drilling speed and efficiency. This bit formed the technological foundation for the company that would become Baker Hughes. Over the decades that followed, Baker Oil Tools, founded by Baker in 1915, cemented itself as an indispensable provider of drill bits, tools and services for the booming oil industry.

In 1987, Baker Oil Tools merged with Hughes Tool Company, combining the legacies of Howard R. Hughes Sr.’s revolutionary drill bit innovations with Baker’s own technological contributions. This created Baker Hughes Incorporated, bringing together over 170 years of collective experience.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, Baker Hughes expanded its capabilities globally, including major additions like the Western Hemisphere operations of BJ Services in 2010. In 2017, Baker Hughes combined with GE’s oil and gas business to create an industry leader providing solutions across the oil and gas value chain.

Today, Baker Hughes operates in over 120 countries and employs over 55,000 people. The company deploys its technology and expertise across upstream oil and gas as well as downstream refining and petrochemicals. It also provides technologies for emerging areas like carbon capture, hydrogen and geothermal energy.

Key Business Segments

Baker Hughes’s businesses are divided across two primary segments:

Oilfield Services – Technologies and services supporting upstream exploration & production activities:

• Oilfield Equipment – Drilling, evaluation, intervention and completion equipment including drill bits, wireline logging tools and monitoring systems
• Oilfield Services – Services related to drilling, wireline, completions, pressure pumping, artificial lift and oilfield chemicals
• Digital Solutions – Software and advisory services to optimize operations through data analysis, modeling and simulation

Turbomachinery & Process Solutions – Technologies for transportation, production and processing of hydrocarbons:

• Oilfield Equipment – Pumps, compressors, drivers and associated equipment for upstream through downstream applications
• Services – Installation, engineering, repair and upgrade services for equipment
• Digital Solutions – Monitoring, control and optimization software improving availability, reliability and efficiency

Global Operations

With major manufacturing, service and research centers worldwide, Baker Hughes supports the entire hydrocarbon value chain globally:

• North America – Headquartered in Houston, Texas with operations throughout US, Canada and Gulf of Mexico
• Latin America – Major operations in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia and beyond
• Europe/Africa/Russia/Caspian – Broad regional operations spanning offshore, onshore and unconventional resources
• Middle East/Asia Pacific – Extensive operations in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and across the Middle East

Baker Hughes’ network of remote monitoring and analytics centers enable optimization of global assets.

Technological Innovation

Some of Baker Hughes’ key technological achievements include:

• Roller Cone Drill Bit – Invented in 1909 by founder Reuben C. Baker, this revolutionary bit enabled faster penetration and marked a step-change in drilling
• Portable Wireline Logging – Commercialized the first mobile electronic wireline logging tools in the 1940s, allowing subsurface data acquisition
• Offshore Platform Drilling – Supported the first productive offshore oil platform in 1947 and the first offshore platform out of sight of land in 1948
• Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Drill Bits – Introduced durable PDC drill bits utilizing synthetic diamond cutters in 1977 that became a step-change in bit durability
• Liquefied Natural Gas – Provided turbomachinery for the world’s first purpose-built LNG carriers in 1959, enabling global LNG transportation
• Drilling Automation – Recently introduced automated drilling capabilities like AutoTrakTM rotary steerable system removing directional driller requirements

Conclusion

From drilling breakthroughs like the rolling cone bit to digital optimization solutions, Baker Hughes has been at the forefront of advancing oil and gas technology for over a century. Its pioneering legacy combined with innovations in efficiency, automation and emissions reductions position Baker Hughes to continue solving the industry’s greatest challenges. As the energy landscape evolves, so will Baker Hughes, leveraging its experience and innovative spirit to meet the world’s future energy needs in a more sustainable manner.