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Shell appoints Colette Hirstius as head of US operations

Shell announced the appointment of Colette Hirstius as President of Shell USA starting August 1, succeeding Gretchen Watkins after seven years in the role.

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Anglo-Dutch energy company Shell has confirmed the appointment of Colette Hirstius as President of Shell USA, effective August 1, 2025. She will hold this position in addition to her current role as Executive Vice President, Gulf of America. Gretchen Watkins, who has served in the role since July 2018, will step down on July 31, 2025.

The announcement, made by parent company Shell plc, comes amid a leadership transition in one of the group’s most strategic geographies. The United States is a key market where Shell maintains a leading position in deepwater offshore, is the largest off-taker of US liquefied natural gas (LNG), and operates the country’s largest mobility network, serving more than 7 million customers each day.

An appointment amid strategic consolidation

Colette Hirstius currently serves as Executive Vice President, Gulf of America, overseeing upstream operations in the Gulf of Mexico, a critical region for crude oil supply. By retaining these responsibilities while assuming the presidency of Shell USA, she strengthens her role within the group without immediate changes to her operational scope.

Shell Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan acknowledged Gretchen Watkins’ contribution, highlighting her role in driving performance, discipline, and simplification across US operations. He added that Shell sees opportunities for further growth in the US, building on the company’s competitive strengths to meet energy demand.

Shell USA faces evolving market pressures

The leadership transition comes as the group aligns its strategy with the realities of the North American market. With ongoing pressure on LNG margins and shifting energy policy in the United States, management stability remains a key factor in safeguarding Shell’s commercial interests in the region.

Shell’s US portfolio includes major assets in LNG, refining and distribution, along with targeted growth projects in transition energy. The company continues to leverage its capabilities in conventional hydrocarbons while assessing opportunities in low-emission solutions.

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