Wintershall

In 1894, a mining entrepreneur named Carl Julius Winter partnered with Heinrich Grimberg. They laid the foundation for what would become Wintershall. Initially, it wasn’t about oil or gas. Wintershall began as a civil engineering company focused on potash mining in Kamen. The company’s name is a blend of Winter’s surname and the Old High German word for salt, “Hall.” Wintershall expanded its potash operations in the Werra potash fields, drilling shafts and establishing works in the region. A fortunate accident in 1930 marked a turning point for Wintershall. A crude oil leak into a potash shaft in Völkenrode revealed a new opportunity. With the rise of motorization and the looming war, the demand for crude oil was soaring. Wintershall shifted its focus to developing crude oil resources. Wintershall’s headquarters are located in Kassel, Germany. The company’s growth continued after World War II. Wintershall discovered natural gas in Northern Germany in 1951. In 1969, Wintershall became a subsidiary of BASF, securing a stable supply of raw materials. This partnership allowed Wintershall to concentrate solely on oil and gas exploration and production. Wintershall’s reach extended globally, with operations in Europe, North Africa, South America, Russia, and the Middle East. In 2019, Wintershall merged with DEA to form Wintershall Dea, solidifying its position as a leading European gas and oil company. This merger marked a new chapter in Wintershall’s history. It combined the expertise and resources of two established German companies. This created a stronger presence in the global energy market.