-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 N8+OaE1dK9KhTrfxT1auva133RfIWgaP0eawp8hYGYNHRDEUzIkVSP979wNS+b26
 pRP36rRxVDWb44tpg2PRZw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001241347-03-000006.txt : 20030627
<SEC-HEADER>0001241347-03-000006.hdr.sgml : 20030627
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030627162553
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001241347-03-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030627
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030627

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL OILWELL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001021860
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL & GAS FILED MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3533]
		IRS NUMBER:				760475815
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10000 RICHMOND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042-4200
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7133467500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10000 RICHMOND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042-4200

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ANSARY HUSHANG
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001055482

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12317
		FILM NUMBER:		03761624

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O IRI INTERNATIONAL CORP
		STREET 2:		1000 LOUISIANA STE 5900
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136518002

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O IRI INTERNATIONAL CORP
		STREET 2:		1000 LOUISIANA STE 5900
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001021860</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL OILWELL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NOI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001055482</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ANSARY HUSHANG</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-27</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2200</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>22.34</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>1158496</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: M. Gay Mather  For: Hushang Ansary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-06-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----