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W.L. Walker Co., Inc. was founded in 1926 by William Lee Walker, the inventor of the Tulsa Oil Thief™—the original oil sampling device that remains the industry standard nearly a century later. Throughout the 1940s, the company expanded its product line to include gauging tools such as Lufkin Gauging Tapes, Plumb Bobs, and a variety of other precision instruments. William also pioneered early centrifuges for determining basic sediment and water (BS&W), helping shape best practices in the petroleum measurement industry.
As World War II drew to a close and William’s health declined, his son Arthur "Art" Walker returned from military service to help lead the business. Art brought new vision and innovation, introducing advanced products such as portable electric centrifuges and 12V water-heated centrifuges that utilized a vehicle’s cooling system. These units evolved into dual-voltage (12V/115V), CSA-approved explosion-proof models, and even air-driven, intrinsically safe variants—all built to meet API MPMS Chapter 10.4 (formerly ASTM D96) field method specifications.
During the 1950s, the company further modernized by replacing traditional glass containers with Nalgene plastic labware, cementing its reputation for embracing new materials and technologies.
After decades of stewardship, Art Walker retired in 1986, passing leadership to the third generation—his daughter, Anne Walker Brackett. A long-time champion of quality and innovation, Anne continued to modernize the company’s production through CNC manufacturing, and helped lead the development of state-of-the-art digital thermometers. A dedicated member of the American Petroleum Institute (API), Anne served as Chairman of the Chapter 7 Temperature Determination Working Group, and received her 30-year service award in 2014, her 35-year service award in 2019, and her 40-year service pin in 2024 for continued contributions to the industry.
Now semi-retired, Anne remains a daily presence at the office, offering mentorship and expertise. Leadership has transitioned to the fourth generation—John Brackett, Anne’s son and William's great-grandson—who proudly carries forward the responsibility of running the company his family founded 99 years ago.
Together, John and the entire W.L. Walker team—including our Tulsa headquarters and Houston branch—remain committed to quality, precision, and integrity. We continue to serve the energy sector with passion and professionalism, and we proudly maintain our certification as a woman-owned small business.
At W.L. Walker Co., Inc., our legacy is built on innovation, craftsmanship, and trust—values we pledge to uphold as we approach a full century of service to the industry.