Wintershall, which looks back on one of the longest traditions in crude oil and natural gas production in Germany, was founded in 1894 by industrialist Heinrich Grimberg and drilling contractor Carl Julius Winter, originally as a drilling company for mining potash. In 1930, oil accidentally leaked into one of the potash mining shafts, soon opening up exciting prospects for the future. Barely a year later, crude oil production was added as a further area of operations.

Pioneers of oil and gas exploration

Increasing motorization created great demand for oil, with the result that the development of crude oil wells gained importance within the company. Within a short space of time, Wintershall grew into Germany’s largest supplier of crude oil. Oil production was initially centered round Northern Germany. Wintershall is also one of the pioneers in the exploration for and production of natural gas in Germany. Natural gas was discovered in Northern Germany in 1951.

International activities for more competitiveness

In the years that followed, Wintershall expanded its activities to an increasing extent internationally, and today it is active in selected core regions, including Europe, North Africa and South America, as well as Russia and the Caspian Sea region.