In 1833, George and Elias Cooper began their association with the oil and gas industry by opening a foundry in Mount Vernon, USA.

In 1929, Cooper merged with the Bessemer company and went on to dominate the engine and compressor market.

In 1999 Rolls-Royce plc took full control of its oil and gas joint venture, Cooper Rolls, with the acquisition of the rotating compression equipment interests of Cooper Energy Services in the US.