Helix Energy Solutions Inc., known as Cal Dive International prior to 2006, is an American oil and gas services company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company is a global provider of offshore services in well intervention and ROV operations of new and existing oil and gas fields.
History
1980–1989
In 1980, Oceaneering executives, Lad Handleman, John Swinden, Don Sites, and Rick Foreman left the company and named their new company Cal Dive International.
Oceaneering was formed in 1964 when Handelman merged his California oilfield diving company, Cal Dive, with Canadian-based Can-Dive, and upon his departure, Handleman reclaimed his original company name for the new venture. In 1983, Cal Dive Intl. was acquired by Diversified Energy International (DEI) whose financial backing allowed the company to expand with two converted diving vessels.
1990–1999
In 1990, new CEO Jerry Reuhl, led a management team that included future CEO, Owen Kratz, purchased Cal Dive Intl. from DEI for $11 million with Merrill Lynch acting as the financial partner, providing all of the holding a 45% equity position.[3]