Connexion

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.

Partagez:

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.

  • Populaires ​
New Mexico launches public investment plan to produce 163 GW of geothermal energy
Cenovus Energy restarts full production at Christina Lake site
Hydrocarbon pollution: Rømø closes beaches at peak tourist season
Scatec secures $479mn financing for major solar project in Egypt
HDF Energy and VIMC seal hydrogen partnership for Vietnamese maritime sector
EDF establishes EDF power solutions to consolidate international low-carbon activities
EDF merges EDF Renouvelables and its International Division into EDF power solutions, led by Béatrice Buffon, to optimise its global 31 GW low-carbon energy portfolio and strengthen its international positioning.
TotalEnergies and Mistral AI Launch AI Laboratory Focused on Industrial Optimization
TotalEnergies announces a strategic partnership with Mistral AI to establish a dedicated innovation laboratory integrating artificial intelligence tools aimed at enhancing industrial efficiency, research, and customer relations.
ETC warns of trade tensions linked to clean energy supply chains
The Energy Transitions Commission warns of economic risks tied to growing protectionism around clean technologies, while calling for global consensus on carbon pricing.
Baker Hughes sells sensor division to Crane for $1.15bn
Baker Hughes has reached an agreement to sell its precision sensor product line to Crane Company for $1.15bn, thereby refocusing its operations on core competencies in industrial and energy technologies.
Baker Hughes
KKR and PSP inject $2.82bn into AEP’s US transmission network
American conglomerate American Electric Power sold 19.9% of two transmission subsidiaries to KKR and PSP Investments, raising $2.82bn to support its five-year $54bn investment plan.
Israel identifies 165 key companies in the 2025 energy tech landscape
The new mapping by Startup Nation Central identifies 165 active companies in Israel’s energy technologies, amid strong private funding and growing global market interest.
Bernard Fontana Launches 30% Cost Reduction Plan at EDF
The new CEO of EDF, Bernard Fontana, aims to achieve €1 billion in operational cost savings for the French energy giant by 2030, prioritizing industrial contracts and the national nuclear sector.
CMS Energy launches debt repurchase offer for $125 million
CMS Energy Corporation has announced a cash tender offer for debt securities totalling $125 million, issued by Consumers Energy. The offer expires on July 3, 2025, with priority given to bonds submitted before June 17, 2025.
Vermilion Energy sells U.S. assets for $87.88mn and adjusts its forecasts
Vermilion Energy is exiting the U.S. market permanently by selling its assets for C$120mn ($87.88mn), refocusing its operations on Canada and Europe while reducing its debt and investment budget.
Eni Pays €8.4 Billion to Energy-Producing Countries in 2024
In 2024, Italian energy giant Eni paid approximately €8.4 billion to various global governments. These payments, primarily concentrated in Africa and Asia, reflect its commitments in the international energy sector.
Global energy investment to reach record $3.3tn in 2025, says IEA
The International Energy Agency projects a record-high global energy investment in 2025, driven by electricity and low-carbon technologies despite geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Suspicion of Collusion: Formal Investigation Launched into Czech Energy Auction
The Czech regulatory authority launches an investigation into suspected collusion involving several major actors in the awarding of a thermal power plant, putting transparency of a strategic transaction for the energy sector at stake.
DR Congo replaces cobalt export ban with quota system
The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to replace its temporary ban on cobalt hydroxide exports with quotas, aiming to balance global demand, secure revenue, and stabilize market fluctuations.
European Energy secures EUR 145mn loan for wind and solar projects in Lithuania
European Energy secured EUR 145mn in financing from SEB and Swedbank to support wind, solar, and storage assets in Lithuania, reinforcing its regional expansion strategy.
Greenvolt sells 231 MW of energy projects in Spain to Transiziona for €195mn
Greenvolt Group finalised the sale of 28 solar and wind projects to Transiziona, valued at €195mn, bringing total asset sales to €530mn in 2025 as part of its pan-European strategy.
Aegis Vopak Terminals goes public in Mumbai with €2.7bn valuation
Royal Vopak’s Indian joint venture rose nearly 3% on its first trading day in Mumbai, reaching an implied valuation of €2.7bn ($2.93bn).
Davidson Kempner acquires Swire Energy Services to strengthen offshore presence
US investment fund Davidson Kempner has reached an agreement to acquire Swire Energy Services, a provider of offshore equipment, strengthening its position in the global energy market.
ACWA Power to invest up to $10 billion in Malaysia for energy projects
Saudi-based ACWA Power has signed strategic agreements in Malaysia to develop up to 12.5 GW of energy capacity by 2040, with a potential investment of $10 billion.
Fusion Fuel plans £50mn strategic acquisition in UK fuel distribution
Fusion Fuel Green has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire a private UK-based fuel distribution company generating $58mn in revenue, through a £50mn debt-equity structured transaction.
ExxonMobil enters exclusive talks to sell its stake in Esso S.A.F.
ExxonMobil plans to sell its 82.89% stake in Esso S.A.F. to North Atlantic France, valuing shares based on €1.49bn cash holdings and a price subject to several adjustments.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS