1999-12-03

Center for Public History, University of Houston; University of Houston Libraries, University of Houston

This is an oral history interview with Gene Bankston conducted as part of the Houston History Project. Gene Bankston grew up in Southeast Oklahoma. After serving in World War II as a B-17 gunner he studied petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma, earning his degree in 1949.  He began working for Shell that same year and quickly rose through Shell's ranks.  He worked towards economically evaluating prospects in order to maximize profits for the company.  After  working in New York in 1957, Shell assigned him to the Hague to better understand the "big picture" at the company. Between 1957 and 1963 he worked in various capacities for the company including division exploitation engineer for Southwest Louisiana and assistant to Shell's manager of exploitation in New York.  He was the key liaison between development and E&P for Shell.  He became manager of the economics department in 1964, and in 1965 he worked in London as head of the North American Division for Shell International Petroleum.  In 1966 he became the Vice President of E&P for the Houston area.  He served in that capacity for 6 years until becoming Production VP.  He worked in that position until his retirement in 1980. Interviewer: Tyler Priest.

interviews

Energy development; Petroleum industry and trade; Bankston, Gene

Houston, Texas

Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

University of Houston Libraries Special Collections

English

Collection
University of Houston Libraries Special Collections
Houston History Archives
Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

Preservation Location: ark:/84475/pm34472w415