Shell Pelican Island Heliport

Economic and strategic business decisions. Shell Oil Company consolidated its Gulf of Mexico shore base operations, making the Pelican Island facility redundant. The closure was part of a broader corporate restructuring to centralize logistics at other locations. The entire property, including the heliport, was subsequently sold.

The site of the former heliport and the surrounding industrial facility is now owned by Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG). The area has been completely redeveloped and integrated into the university's Pelican Island campus. The land is used for maritime training, research facilities, and other academic purposes. The original helipad and associated markings no longer exist.

The Shell Pelican Island Heliport was a private, non-public facility that served as a critical logistical link for Shell's offshore oil and gas operations. For decades, it was a vital hub for transporting personnel, including engineers, technicians, and crew members, to and from offshore platforms and drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. It also facilitated the rapid transport of essential, lightweight equipment and supplies. The heliport was an integral component of Shell's Pelican Island shore base, which was a significant support center for the U.S. energy industry.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. The land has been permanently repurposed for educational use by a state university, and the original industrial operator (Shell) has long since ceased operations at this location. Re-establishing a heliport would require the university to cede the land and a new industrial need to arise, making it highly improbable.