• Taking Risks

    George's success in the oil business and the creation of the Zapata Offshore Company, which ushered in a new era in the oil drilling industry, is detailed here. Vintage video included in this area shows the launching of revolutionary new drilling technology used by Zapata. 

    takingrisks
  • :
    :

  • View from the water of a Zapata oil drilling platform.

    taking risks

  • George H.W. Bush with Hugh Liedtke in the Zapata Oil Company Office, Midland, TX, circa mid-1950s

    George H.W. Bush with Hugh Liedtke

  • Zapata off-shore drilling rig

    taking risks

  • George Bush boards an oil rig. (date unknown)

    taking risks

  • Vinegarroon mobile drilling platform, Zapata Offshore Company of Houston, TX. (Date unknown)

    taking risks

  • A look at the Taking Risks Exhibit

    Zapata Offshore

  • In 1951, Bush stopped selling oilfield supplies and with a friend formed an oil business, which started him on a path to great success. Eventually he moved the Bush family to Houston to try his hand at offshore oil drilling as the president of Zapata Offshore.

    Zapata Offshore

  • Zapata Offshore oil drilling platform plaque

    Vinegarroon
  • takingrisks
    • taking risks
    George H.W. Bush with Hugh Liedtke
    taking risks
    taking risks
    taking risks
    Zapata Offshore
    Zapata Offshore
    Vinegarroon
DownloadShow Transcript