Innovative thinkers
“The success or failure of any offshore oil and gas development project is dependent on effective integration of intelligent processes, deep-seated technical expertise, multiple company and agency interactions and relationships, solid management, and vigorous leadership.”
This is an excerpt from an SPE paper (SPE 166310-MS) written by Gordon H. Sterling, and it seamlessly represents his ideologies regarding offshore success and how it is achieved.
Sterling—who retired from Shell in 2000—has contributed to some of the industry’s foremost innovations during his 48-year career. At one point in time—during the 1990s—Sterling was involved in projects that collectively produced 5% to 6% of the total U.S. oil production. Those contributions are being recognized this year, as Sterling is one of the latest inductees into the Offshore Energy Center’s Hall of Fame.
Sterling pursued his career in energy after growing up on a farm on Manitoulin Island, situated in Ontario’s portion of Lake Huron. Despite his family’s struggle to make a living following the Great Depression, Sterling was able to complete his high school education.
He was able to save enough money to register for a new engineering program at the University of Waterloo. The program offered students a three-month period of study, followed by a three-month period of working in the field, allowing students to earn a degree in five years. During his work sessions, Sterling gained experience as a hard rock miner, a construction surveyor and inspector, a draftsman and a research assistant, eventually completing the program and earning a BS degree in civil engineering.
He went on to earn an MS degree from Lehigh University, in Bethlehem, Pa. He was hired by Shell in 1965, where he held various positions over the next 35 years.
“We’ve seen some truly astounding growth in the offshore industry. It’s hard not to look back and realize just how significant the advancements have been. When I joined Shell, the deepest water development was about 250 ft,” Sterling said. “Now, the industry has production systems in more than 8,000 ft. Amazing.”
Sterling helped to pilot all of Shell’s record-setting deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico through 2000, beginning with the Cognac platform (1974-1978), in 1,024 ft of water. He also served as project manager of the 1,350-ft water depth Bullwinkle platform (1985-1988).
He was later promoted as Shell’s manager of major deepwater projects. These projects included the record-setting tension leg platforms, Mars, Ram-Powell and Ursa, in 3,000 to 4,000 ft of water. This was in addition to the subsea developments, Tahoe, Popeye and Mensa, in 5,400 ft of water.
Most recently, Sterling has remained active within the industry. Since his retirement, he co-authored the book, “Deepwater Petroleum Exploration and Production—A Nontechnical Guide.” Additionally, he has represented the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on the Offshore Technology Conference’s (OTC) board of directors, and has served as OTC chairman. In addition to acting as president of the Coast Oceans Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI), he served a four-year term on the COPRI board of governors.
In 2008, he was honored with OTC’s Heritage Award for “distinguished service and significant contributions to the development of offshore resources.” And in 2009, the Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Ports and Navigation Engineers named him Distinguished Diplomate of Ocean Engineering.
This month, Sterling is being recognized again for his commitment to offshore innovation, as he is one of several new industry pioneers being inducted into the Offshore Energy Center’s Hall of Fame. 
