About us
Two Strong Legacies.
One Bright Future.
The story of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (H&P) began in 1920, when Walter “Walt” Helmerich II, a thrill-seeking aviator from Chicago, met William “Bill” Payne, a hard-working microbiologist from Shawnee, Oklahoma, on a Star 29 cable rig in South Bend, Texas. From that moment, a pioneering company was born. Built on a foundation of integrity, ingenuity and grit, H&P quickly emerged as a trailblazer in the drilling industry.
Over 240 years of combined experience.
Over the years, we have become a trusted partner to our customers by continually pushing boundaries across our drilling operations and technology. In 2025, H&P took a bold step into the future by joining forces with KCA Deutag, a global drilling, engineering and technology leader with over 135 years of industry experience. Formed through a merger of KCA Drilling and Deutag AG in 2001, KCA Deutag shares H&P’s commitment to performance, innovation and long-term value creation.
Together, we are entering a new era. One that expands our global reach, strengthens our technical capabilities and accelerates innovation across our operations. At H&P, our culture has always been a cornerstone of our success, and that commitment remains unwavering as we move forward as a unified company.
As a combined team of the most experienced professionals in the industry, we are focused on one goal: to be the highest performing drilling solutions company in the world.
Our Values
At H&P, we’re guided by five core values that define our global culture, inspire our team members and enable us to thrive in an industry that routinely experiences peaks and valleys.
We are passionate about being a company where our employees are empowered to do their best work, build strong, fulfilling careers and propel H&P’s industry leadership in delivering responsible and efficient energy.