OIL: Getty on the Go

In 45 years of fast swapping and fierce fighting, Jean Paul Getty, 66, has accumulated $1 billion (TIME cover. Feb. 24, 1958), but he wants one more thing. He has long and dearly desired to unite his sprawling Getty Oil Co. empire, wants to start by merging its two biggest satellites, Tidewater Oil Co. (65% controlled by Getty) and Skelly Oil Co. (59% controlled by Getty). The two companies have total assets of more than $1.2 billion, annual sales close to $1 billion and production of 65 million barrels.

Last week Tidewater confirmed...