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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
                   [Letterhead of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.]


                                 August 7, 2000


Weatherford International, Inc.
515 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77027

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Registrant"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 of 1,500,000 shares of the Registrant's common stock, par
value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), which are issuable on exchange or
redemption of Weatherford Oil Services, Inc. Series 1 Exchangeable Shares
("Exchangeable Shares"), as described in the Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-41344) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to the Shares (the "Registration Statement").

         We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction, of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant, as amended, the Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended, the records of
relevant corporate proceedings with respect to the offering and issuance of the
Shares and such other documents and instruments as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the expression of the opinions contained herein. We also have
examined the Registration Statement.

         We have assumed the authenticity and completeness of all records,
certificates and other instruments submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all records, certificates and other instruments
submitted to us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of the originals of
those records, certificates and other instruments submitted to us as copies and
the correctness of all statements of fact contained in all records, certificates
and other instruments that we have examined.

         Based on the foregoing, and having regard for such legal considerations
as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that, when issued on valid exchange
or redemption of Exchangeable Shares as described in the Registration Statement,
the Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         The opinions expressed herein relate solely to, are based solely upon
and are limited exclusively to the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and
the reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws) and the federal laws of
the United States of America, to the extent applicable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                /s/ FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.

                                                Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.