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Baker Hughes (BHI: NYSE), a global provider of products and services to the oil and gas industry, announced recently that it has been accepted into the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program and could create as many as 667 direct, indirect and support jobs over the next 10 years. The firm already has added approximately 91 qualified jobs since its acceptance into the program.
“This announcement is a terrific opportunity for northeast Oklahoma, as Baker Hughes is committed to growing and adding jobs in the Tulsa and Claremore region. Our state has a long and rich history in the traditional energy sector and Baker Hughes is adding another chapter to that story with its decision to expand here,” says Natalie Shirley, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce.
The application for the Quality Jobs Program includes manufacturing facilities for Baker Hughes’ artificial lift, completions, oilfield chemicals and drilling systems product lines – primarily located in northeastern Oklahoma. Baker Hughes has been a long-time employer in Oklahoma, dating back to the early days of the Oklahoma oil and gas industry. Today the company employs 2,400 people in Oklahoma, including more than 1,300 employees at major manufacturing locations in Claremore, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs and Barnsdall. Baker Hughes is the second largest employer in Rogers County.
“The Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program shows the commitment of Oklahoma to creating a business environment that fosters job growth, and we are pleased to be part of the program,” notes Art Soucy, vice president of supply chain for Baker Hughes. “We are committed to Oklahoma— and to the Tulsa region in particular—as a core area for our manufacturing and supply chain organization. The skilled workforce, our long-time investment in major manufacturing plants, and the local distribution channels to global markets make the Tulsa area a good choice for our operations. Our affiliation with the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program ensures Baker Hughes’ continued economic contribution to the state,” he says.
“When a successful, long-established company like Baker Hughes chooses to expand and grow a vital portion of its business in Oklahoma, it shows the world the value of doing business in our state and in the Tulsa region,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. “Every company expansion in our region and every new job created improves our economic prosperity. We congratulate Baker Hughes for its participation in the Quality Jobs Program, and we look forward to assisting the company with further growth and workforce recruitment.”
The Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, through Senate Bill 909 passed in 2009, offers enhanced incentives for job creation in Oklahoma, allowing existing and new businesses in Oklahoma to take advantage of both tax rebates and tax credits providing they meet the criteria for payroll and job creation.
About Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes provides reservoir consulting, drilling, formation evaluation, completion, production, and pressure pumping products and services to the worldwide oil and gas industry.
