Team Penske and Media Visit to Stones FPSO | October 17-19, 2018

In a mega cross-channel and inter-partner campaign, a select group of VIPs saw the journey Shell products take from the point of safe extraction in the Gulf of Mexico to becoming premium fuels and lubricants that power people’s lives, our vehicles, and leading motorsport teams. The trip integrated all aspects of Shell’s story and team while providing an unforgettable experience.

Objectives of the campaign:

• Promote the connection between Shell’s offshore oil production and the premium fuels and lubricants

• Develop digital content that helps reinforce Shell’s brand purpose and country objectives in the Gulf Coast region

• Build morale among staff and contractors at Stones, celebrating the long-standing partnership with Penske Racing

• Introduce and build relationships between Gulf of Mexico leadership and the downstream leadership and Penske Racing

Special Guests

Day 1 | Arrival and Welcome

Prior to the event, all media and partners received their agenda and briefing book outlining their trip to come. The group came together in New Orleans with the Gulf of Mexico leadership team for a welcoming dinner to start the weekend off right. Lee Stockwell, GM Gulf of Mexico South, walked the group through the critical elements of safety and teamwork that is executed every day at Shell.

Day 2 | HUET Certification and Safety Training

Safety and preparation are critical in the offshore environment and on the track. The Tropical HUET (helicopter underwater escape training) prepared the guests to travel to and from an offshore vessel by helicopter in a tropical environment.

This specific training in pre-flight and in-flight requirements offers a unique platform to underscore preparation and safety requirements that must be completed prior to going offshore that can easily be contrasted with what Shell does in the lab and at the track.

Shell, Team Penske and media guests all had their stamina and endurance tested in the HUET training with much success.

Day 3 | Visiting Stones

The journey really starts offshore, where Shell has been safely and responsibility extracting crude from the Gulf of Mexico for decades that are the base for the premium fuels and lubricants that power the team’s motorsport relationships as well as everyday drivers on the road. 

For the last 100 years, Shell has continuously broken boundaries, including developing the one of the first globally available premium fuels, synthetic lubricant made from natural gas, and the first high-octane aviation fuel, which allowed propeller-powered aircraft to fly faster. 

Stones FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading facility):

• As the newest part of Shell’s production portfolio Stones is the world’s deepest production facility: the oil and gas production system and subsea infrastructure is located 9,500 feet (2,896 meters) below the water’s surface.

• In 2018, Shell took over operatorship of Stones from SBM, and this visit was a way to introduce those new staff and contractors to the Shell brand and our motorsports relationship.