Helmerich & Payne plans to stay in Tulsa

The oil industry is not completely dead in Tulsa. It's even fair to say we're still on the map. News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg says there is a very successful energy company based right

Wednesday, April 28th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The oil industry is not completely dead in Tulsa. It's even fair to say we're still on the map. News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg says there is a very successful energy company based right here in Tulsa.

Hans Helmerich agrees that news like Citgo's can impact a town's collective psyche. "It kind of makes you think, gosh, did we do something wrong." As many Tulsans know, Helmerich's grandfather, Walt Helmerich, founded Helmerich and Payne in Tulsa in the 1920's.

Today, it's one of the top 3 drilling contractors in the world, with good profits and more than 3,000 employees, 300 in Tulsa. In other words, big. And he says they're not the only ones. Vintage, Samson, Williams of course is in the energy business and you also have a lot of small independents, entrepreneurial folks that are in the energy business.

And it may be inevitable that with an oil-related company, Helmerich is asked if they're moving to Houston. "Yeah, you get that some." But he says the answer is no. In fact they plan on building a new headquarters in the next few years. And not only are they staying, they continue bringing people in. "We've never had any difficulty recruiting to Tulsa, the people we have here love Tulsa."

Helmerich doesn't fault Citgo and says there are valid arguments for moving to Houston, but he says for Helmerich and Payne, it's not necessary. "I've told people before, I don't think we've ever lost any business, lost a contract because we were in Tulsa instead of Houston."

Big corporations can bring pride and prestige to a city, but Helmerich says smaller, thriving businesses are hugely important in driving the economy.

"There's no reason why Tulsa can't be a big player in that area." Helmerich says Tulsa should concentrate on public schools, cultural offerings, and maintaining a family-friendly city. He says all of that draws people here.