The Shell Offshore Pioneers is a not-for-profit organization established in 1998 to bring together retirees from Shell and those close to retirement involved in offshore exploration, development, and production. Shell has been, and continues to be, a leader in offshore oil and gas exploration and production. The primary mission of the Shell Offshore Pioneers is to maintain the friendships and camaraderie that came with the work and to build new ones.
Members of the Shell Offshore Pioneers contributed to many successes and industry firsts, accomplished as the industry moved from shallow to deep water and across geographic regions. Members come from all disciplines and functions. These include geoscience, engineering, HR, finance, IT, government affairs, and operations, as well as onshore and offshore staff. Members have experience from the Gulf of Mexico, offshore California, offshore Alaska, and internationally, including Shell Pecten.
The Shell Offshore Pioneers is led by a Coordinating Committee drawn from a cross-section of its membership. A principal responsibility of the Coordinating Committee is to plan and execute a reunion every two years in April. The first reunion was in 2000. After a series of initial trial locations, the reunion has found a near-permanent home in Galveston, Texas. The Coordinating Committee also works to maintain an archive of personal stories, documents, and photos via this website to keep the offshore memories alive.
The reunion is an opportunity to catch up with friends, reminisce about past achievements, and learn about Shell Deepwater's current and future status. The reunion includes an evening social on the first day, lunch and dinner on the second day, with external speakers of interest on the second day, and a farewell breakfast on the third day. An optional golf scramble was added on the last day in 2024. The reunion has become a well-anticipated event that brings together many Shell colleagues and friends that worked together over the years.