Interviewer: Jacob Campbell

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Mr. Carlos was referred by Merl Talbot, who was his co-worker at Halliburton. We met at his home in Gray, just north of Houma. His wife was present, but made minimal comments. Mr. Carlos has battled cancer twice in the past ten years, but his health has recently stabilized. He is a regular attendee at the Halliburton retiree breakfast, and recommended speaking with Herb Barret, who was interviewed in the History II study. The audio files are split – JC311.1 is the first half, JC311.2 the second.

Mr. Carlos was born in 1941 in Houma. His father was a tugboat captain for Superior Oil for most of his career, and the majority of his family went into the oil industry. Mr. Carlos served in the Air Force from 1960 to ’63. Upon returning to south Louisiana, he started working for Halliburton as a bulk cement truck driver. In 1971 he was promoted to cementer, which he did until 1978. From ’78 – ’98, he ran service tools in wells. During this period he also ran well tests and worked in the office. He retired in 2000, after having spent his last two years working in the office.

Summary

Born in 1941; north of Houma. His daddy was a boat captain for Superior Oil. Airforce from ’60 – ’63. Started with Halliburton in 1965 as truck driver. Promoted to cementer, worked from ’71 – ’78; to running service tools and well tests, from ’78 – ’98. Mostly worked land rigs in area around Houma. Always on 24 hour call. Worked 6 days per week. Regularly slept in a truck – work conditions not very good. Family had to deal with him leaving all hours of the night. Yet said Halliburton great place to work; benefitted from profit sharing, and a guaranteed 60 hour week.

Noted that safety was the most significant change during his career. Early on, people were hurt regularly, not a major concern for foremen – workers were disposable. Now safety is the number one priority on every job. Working conditions improved considerably; deepwater platforms rival hotels – good food, TV, comforts. Technology changes also significant. Requiring more training and certification. Service companies once needed to gain certification for each company; by 90’s skills development and certification standardized. Service companies such as Halliburton requires personnel to live within 1 hour of office; most employees local, unlike oil company hands. Noted that deepwater saved the region’s economy in 80’s; exploration kept many people employed, though still terrible.