Shell Pipeline Nairn Heliport

The primary reason for closure was catastrophic damage sustained during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The facility was located in Plaquemines Parish, an area that suffered extreme devastation from the hurricane's storm surge. The cost of rebuilding, combined with the site's proven vulnerability and a broader industry trend of consolidating logistics at larger, more resilient 'super-base' heliports, made its reconstruction economically and strategically unviable for Shell.

The site is still an active industrial facility, likely continuing its function as a pipeline terminal, storage depot, and/or marine transfer point for Shell or a related entity. However, the aviation-specific infrastructure, including the helipad and any dedicated support buildings, has been completely removed. Analysis of satellite imagery shows the land where the helipad once stood is now fully integrated into the industrial yard, used for equipment storage and general operations.

The Shell Pipeline Nairn Heliport (US-0095) was a private-use logistical facility owned and operated by Shell Pipeline Company L.P. Its sole purpose was to support the extensive offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. The heliport served as a vital transportation hub for moving personnel (engineers, technicians, crew changes) and time-sensitive, lightweight cargo to and from Shell's offshore platforms and drilling rigs. It was a critical, day-to-day operational asset for the company's activities in the nearby waters of the Gulf.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. The strategic trend in Gulf of Mexico oil and gas aviation support has shifted away from small, scattered heliports to large, centralized, and more robust facilities located further inland, such as the major heliports in Houma, Galliano, and Port Fourchon. Re-establishing a small heliport in a location so severely impacted by past hurricanes is highly unlikely.