Getty Oil Company

American company

Also known as: Pacific Western Oil Corporaton

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June 17, 2026

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The Getty Oil Company was an American oil company that came under the control of J. Paul Getty, an oil magnate reputed to be the world's richest man at his death in 1976. Getty Oil was incorporated in 1928 as Pacific Western Oil Corporation and later adopted the name Getty Oil Company in 1956. J. Paul Getty's most profitable venture was a 60-year oil concession obtained in Saudi Arabia in 1949, which significantly contributed to his vast wealth.123

In 1984, Texaco Inc. acquired the Getty Oil Company. This acquisition led to a lawsuit from Pennzoil Company for contract interference, as Pennzoil's own acquisition of Getty had been disrupted by Texaco's bid. Although Texaco retained control of Getty, Pennzoil was awarded substantial damages. Texaco Inc. was later acquired by Chevron Corporation in 2001.3

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J. Paul Getty
…a controlling interest in the Getty Oil Company and in nearly 200 other concerns.
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…a controlling interest in the Getty Oil Company and in nearly 200 other concerns.
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Pennzoil Company
…Getty interests agreed to merge Getty Oil Company with Pennzoil, but two days later this agreement was breached by the announcement of another agreement, selling Getty Oil to Texaco Inc. Pennzoil’s subsequent lawsuit, which was pursued through state and federal courts, ultimately resulted in a jury decision in 1985 ruling…
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…Getty interests agreed to merge Getty Oil Company with Pennzoil, but two days later this agreement was breached by the announcement of another agreement, selling Getty Oil to Texaco Inc. Pennzoil’s subsequent lawsuit, which was pursued through state and federal courts, ultimately resulted in a jury decision in 1985 ruling…
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Texaco Inc.
In 1984 Texaco purchased the Getty Oil Company but was sued for contract interference by the Pennzoil Company, whose own imminent acquisition of Getty had been derailed by Texaco’s successful bid. Texaco retained control of Getty, but Pennzoil won punitive damages after a five-year court battle, being awarded the sum…
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In 1984 Texaco purchased the Getty Oil Company but was sued for contract interference by the Pennzoil Company, whose own imminent acquisition of Getty had been derailed by Texaco’s successful bid. Texaco retained control of Getty, but Pennzoil won punitive damages after a five-year court battle, being awarded the sum…
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