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The United States-based wholly owned subsidiary of Shell plc, spanning fuel retail, oil and gas, chemicals, refining, trading, and related energy activities.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Shell USA, Inc. is Shell plc's principal United States subsidiary and operating platform. It was formerly known as Shell Oil Company until 2022 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The business represents one of the largest integrated energy presences in the United States, with activities conducted through Shell USA and its consolidated companies, affiliates, and equity investments. Its scope includes oil and natural-gas production, fuel marketing, petroleum and chemical manufacturing, energy trading, lubricants, mobility services, and selected lower-carbon businesses. Shell's American history began in the 1910s, when Royal Dutch Shell established a foothold in the United States and acquired interests including William Miller Graham's California Oilfields Limited in 1913. The modern Shell Oil organization developed through the combination of Shell Oil Company of California and Roxana Petroleum, an Oklahoma company associated with Royal Dutch Shell. A notable early achievement was the drilling of the Alamitos oil well at Signal Hill, California, in 1921. Over subsequent decades, Shell expanded through exploration, production, refining, chemicals, transportation fuels, and retail marketing, with the Gulf Coast and California becoming especially important operating regions. The company made one of its largest U.S. acquisitions in 1979, when it purchased Belridge Oil Company for approximately $3.65 billion. The transaction was described at the time by U.S. government sources as the largest cash takeover in American history. Shell also developed offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico. In the 1990s, it formed refining and marketing joint ventures with Texaco. Equilon combined parts of the companies' Midwestern and Western businesses, while Motiva Enterprises combined Shell's Eastern and Gulf Coast interests with Star Enterprise, a Saudi Aramco–Texaco venture. After Texaco merged with Chevron in 2001, Shell acquired Texaco's interests in the joint ventures and began converting former Texaco stations to the Shell brand. The rebranding program, completed in the early 2000s, was described as one of the largest retail rebranding efforts in U.S. business history. Shell USA's most visible consumer business is its fuel-station network. The company has operated approximately 14,000 Shell-branded stations in the United States, with coverage in nearly every state and historically limited or absent presence in Montana. Stations commonly offer gasoline, diesel, lubricants, convenience retail, and in some locations liquefied petroleum gas or other mobility services. Shell's branded fuel portfolio formerly included the RU2000 and SU2000 lines, later including SU2000E, before the V-Power family became the principal premium fuel range. The U.S. organization has also been involved in refining and petrochemicals. Shell's Martinez Refinery in California, historically the first Shell refinery in the United States, supplied Shell and Texaco stations in western and Midwestern markets before being sold to PBF Energy in 2020. Shell Chemical Appalachia developed a major petrochemical facility in Pennsylvania, including a large ethylene-cracker complex. Shell has also maintained substantial manufacturing and petrochemical operations along the U.S. Gulf Coast, including at Deer Park, Texas. Shell's American structure was historically more independent from its European parent than many other subsidiaries. Shell plc's predecessor organization completed the purchase of the roughly 30 percent of Shell Oil it did not already own in 1984 for about $5.7 billion, following opposition from some minority shareholders and related litigation. Shell Oil nevertheless retained considerable operational independence for a period because of corporate and liability considerations. The U.S. Shell logo differed slightly from the global version until the worldwide design was adopted in the United States on June 1, 1998. Over time, Shell plc integrated more…

History

Royal Dutch Shell began operating in the United States during the 1910s. Its early expansion included the 1913 acquisition of William Miller Graham's California Oilfields Limited. The organization that became Shell Oil developed through the combination of Shell Oil Company of California and Roxana Petroleum, an Oklahoma-based company. In 1921, Shell drilled the Alamitos well at Signal Hill, California, an important early step in its American petroleum operations. Shell expanded through the twentieth century into exploration, production, refining, marketing, chemicals, and transportation fuels. Its portfolio included both onshore and offshore activity, notably in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1979, Shell purchased Belridge Oil Company for approximately $3.65 billion. The transaction was regarded by U.S. government sources at the time as the largest cash takeover in American history and strengthened Shell's upstream position in the United States. Shell's corporate relationship with its European parent was unusually independent for much of the twentieth century. In 1984, Royal Dutch Shell bought the approximately 30 percent of Shell Oil that it did not already own for roughly $5.7 billion. Minority shareholders opposed the transaction and litigation followed, but the acquisition was completed. Shell Oil continued to operate with substantial autonomy for a time because of legal, corporate, and liability considerations. The U.S. business used a somewhat different version of the Shell emblem until adopting the global logo on June 1, 1998. In 1997, Shell and Texaco created two refining and marketing joint ventures. Equilon combined their Midwestern and Western operations. Motiva Enterprises combined Shell's Eastern and Gulf Coast activities with Star Enterprise, which was itself associated with Saudi Aramco and Texaco. Following Texaco's merger with Chevron in 2001, Shell acquired Texaco's interests in the ventures. Shell then converted former Texaco stations to its own brand in a nationwide program that was completed in the early 2000s and was characterized as one of the largest U.S. retail rebranding initiatives. Shell's U.S. portfolio subsequently became more focused on petroleum and chemicals as Shell plc reorganized natural-gas and power activities into its Integrated Gas and related energy businesses. Shell Energy North America became a distinct but closely connected organization operating across North America from Houston. Shell continued to maintain a major downstream and chemical presence, including Gulf Coast facilities and the Shell Chemical Appalachia complex in Pennsylvania. The company installed a 285-foot quench tower at the Pennsylvania plant in 2018 to recover and reuse heat associated with water circulation. The U.S. fuel network became the company's most visible public-facing operation. Shell has operated approximately 14,000 branded stations, offering gasoline, diesel and related mobility services across nearly all U.S. states. Its premium fuel range evolved from earlier RU2000 and SU2000 products to the V-Power family. Refining assets changed over time: the Martinez Refinery in California, historically a significant Shell and Texaco supply point for western and Midwestern markets, was sold to PBF Energy in 2020. Shell has also been divesting or restructuring selected joint-venture interests, including its position in Motiva. During the 2010s and 2020s, Shell USA became involved in lower-carbon and energy-transition initiatives while retaining its conventional energy base. Shell acquired a 44 percent interest in solar developer Silicon Ranch in 2018 as part of its New Energies strategy. In 2023 it became the official fuel supplier for the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, providing ethanol-sourced racing fuel. The same year, Shell Trading received sustainable aviation fuel from Montana Renewables under a multiyear distribution agreement. Shell's U.S. charging activities also changed: after Volta Charging was acquired and combined with Shell's Recharge Network operations in 2023, reports in 2025 said Shell intended to close Volta's operations and retire its charging network. Shell USA has faced recurring environmental and legal scrutiny. The Puget Sound Refinery was fined for Clean Air Act violations and identified as a high-priority violator during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Environmental groups also sued over alleged emissions violations at the Deer Park refinery and petrochemical complex near Houston. Separately, Shell's production of polybutylene plumbing pipe led to a class-action case beginning in 1995; the resulting settlement supported pipe replacement claims for affected homes in the United States and Canada through May 2009. These disputes illustrate the regulatory liabilities associated with Shell's large industrial footprint. The company is now known as Shell USA, Inc., following the former Shell Oil Company name until 2022. It remains a wholly owned Shell plc subsidiary with approximately 18,000 Shell employees based in the United States and a business spanning production, natural-gas marketing, fuel retail, chemicals, lubricants, trading, mobility, and emerging lower-carbon offerings.

  • 2023

    IndyCar fuel partnership

    [1]

    Shell became official fuel supplier to the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

  • 2023

    Sustainable aviation fuel distribution

    [1]

    Shell Trading received initial sustainable aviation fuel deliveries from Montana Renewables under a multiyear agreement.

  • 2022

    Shell Oil Company renamed Shell USA

    [1]

    The U.S. subsidiary adopted the Shell USA, Inc. name, replacing Shell Oil Company as its former corporate name.

  • 2022

    Deer Park refinery interests are sold to Pemex

    [6]

    Shell completes the sale of its Deer Park refinery and related petrochemical interests in Texas to Pemex.

  • 2021

    Shell parent adopts the Shell plc name

    [4]

    The former Royal Dutch Shell group simplifies its parent-company structure and becomes Shell plc.

  • 2021

    Permian Basin assets are sold to ConocoPhillips

    [5]

    Shell agrees to sell its Permian Basin assets to ConocoPhillips as part of portfolio reshaping.

  • 2020

    Martinez Refinery sold

    [1]

    Shell sold its Martinez, California refinery to PBF Energy.

  • 2018

    Silicon Ranch investment

    [1]

    Shell acquired a 44 percent interest in U.S. solar developer Silicon Ranch as part of its New Energies strategy.

  • 2005

    John Hofmeister becomes president

    [8]

    John Hofmeister begins his tenure as president of Shell Oil Company.

  • 2002

    Texaco station rebranding begins

    [1]

    Shell began converting former Texaco stations to the Shell brand in a large-scale U.S. retail rebranding program.

Products and positioning

An integrated energy company with a highly recognizable U.S. fuel-retail and mobility presence, combining conventional oil and gas, refining and chemicals, lubricants, trading, and selected lower-carbon energy businesses.

  • Premium motor fuel

    Shell V-Power

    Shell's principal premium-branded gasoline range in the United States. It superseded earlier RU2000 and SU2000 fuel lines and is marketed through Shell-branded service stations as a higher-performance and enhanced-additive fuel offering. Shell V-Power is the company’s premium branded gasoline line. It is marketed as a higher-performance fuel with a detergent additive package intended to help remove or prevent deposits in engines. Availability and formulation can vary by market and regulatory requirements.

  • Retail transportation fuels

    Shell-branded fuels

    Shell USA markets gasoline, diesel, and in some locations liquefied petroleum gas through a large network of branded stations. The network is the company's most prominent consumer-facing business and supports associated convenience, vehicle-care, and mobility services.

  • Automotive and industrial lubricants

    Shell lubricants

    Shell markets oils and lubricants for passenger vehicles, commercial transport, industrial equipment, and other machinery. These products complement the company's fuel retail and vehicle-service presence. Shell Lubricants covers motor oils, industrial lubricants, greases, and related products sold to consumers, workshops, fleets, and industrial customers. The portfolio includes products for passenger vehicles, heavy-duty transport, manufacturing, energy, and other equipment applications.

  • Chemicals

    Shell chemicals and petrochemicals

    Shell's U.S. industrial portfolio includes petrochemical manufacturing and chemical feedstocks, particularly through Gulf Coast operations and Shell Chemical Appalachia in Pennsylvania. Products serve industrial and manufacturing customers rather than only retail consumers.

  • Lower-carbon aviation fuel · 2023

    Sustainable aviation fuel

    Shell Trading began receiving sustainable aviation fuel from Montana Renewables in 2023 under a multiyear arrangement. Shell distributes the fuel through its U.S. trading and operating network to support aviation-sector emissions reduction.

  • Motor fuels

    Shell gasoline and diesel

    Shell-branded gasoline and diesel are sold through a large U.S. network of branded mobility sites operated by Shell, dealers, franchisees, licensees, and other retail partners. Offerings vary by location and may include regular and premium gasoline, diesel, payment services, convenience retail, and fleet-oriented fueling arrangements.

  • Commercial mobility

    Shell fleet and fuel-card services

    Shell provides commercial customers with fuel cards, account-management tools, fueling access, reporting, and related fleet services. These offerings are designed for businesses managing vehicle fleets and are distinct from ordinary consumer forecourt purchases.

  • Electric-vehicle charging

    Shell Recharge

    Shell Recharge is the Shell group’s electric-vehicle charging proposition. In the United States it can include public charging, charging services, and related digital tools, with the exact network and products changing as Shell develops or acquires charging operations.

Controversies

  • 2021

    Climate litigation and the Dutch court ruling involving Shell

    Milieudefensie and other organizations brought climate-related proceedings against Royal Dutch Shell in the Netherlands. A 2021 district-court ruling ordered the Shell group to reduce its aggregate greenhouse-gas emissions more rapidly. The case concerned the parent group rather than only Shell Oil Company, but it affected the public and legal context in which Shell’s U.S. operations were discussed.

    Source

  • 2021

    Gulf and Shell issue statements on environmental commitments

    After the lawsuit concerning their New Haven fuel storage terminals, Gulf and Shell released statements saying they are committed to protecting the environment and meeting regulations.

    Source

  • 2020

    Sullivans sue Truck World and Shell over fall injury

    In December 2020, Gordon and Leslie Sullivan filed a lawsuit against Truck World Inc., Shell Oil Co. and three unidentified employees. The suit alleges negligence in maintaining the property or in warning about a dangerous icy condition there. The plaintiffs seek $25,000 plus interest. The filing names Shell Oil Co. as a defendant alongside Truck World Inc. and the unidentified employees; no further details on the injury, the court's response, or any outcome are stated in the source.

    Source

  • 2019

    Attendance requirement for a political speech

    Reports stated that approximately 6,000 Shell workers and contractors were instructed to attend a Donald Trump speech in August 2019 or take unpaid time off, potentially losing overtime and per-diem income. The event raised questions about political activity, worker choice, and federal restrictions on corporate contributions.

    Source

  • 2008

    Deer Park Clean Air Act litigation

    Sierra Club and Environment Texas sued Shell Oil Company over alleged Clean Air Act violations associated with emissions from the Deer Park refinery and petrochemical complex near Houston. The allegations relied on reported emissions submitted to the Texas environmental regulator.

    Source

Read more

Marketing campaigns

  • 2023NTT IndyCar Series fuel partnership

    United States

    Shell USA became the official fuel supplier of the NTT IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Outcome. Shell supplied fuel sourced entirely from ethanol for the racing series, linking its brand to motorsport and fuel-technology development.

    Source
  • 2002Texaco-to-Shell station rebranding

    United States

    Shell converted former Texaco stations to Shell-branded locations after acquiring Texaco's interests in related refining and marketing ventures.

    Outcome. The program was completed by June 2004 and was described as one of the largest retail rebranding initiatives in American business history.

    Source

Brand decisions

  • 2025

    Plan to close Volta Charging operationsStrategy

    Background

    Shell had acquired Volta Charging and combined its operations with the Recharge Network in 2023, but later reassessed the charging business.

    Action taken

    Reports said Shell planned to cease Volta operations by November and close approximately 2,000 charging stations.

    Aftermath

    Approximately 190 employees were reportedly affected, while some Volta personnel could reapply for other Shell positions.

    Source

  • 2023

    Begin sustainable aviation fuel distributionProduct launch

    Background

    Shell sought to expand lower-carbon fuel supply and support decarbonization in aviation.

    Action taken

    Shell Trading received initial sustainable aviation fuel deliveries from Montana Renewables under a multiyear agreement.

    Aftermath

    The fuel was distributed through Shell businesses and subsidiaries across the United States.

    Source

  • 2022

    Sale of Deer Park refinery and petrochemical interestsM&A

    Background

    Shell continued to reshape its downstream portfolio and reduce direct ownership of selected refining assets.

    Action taken

    Shell completed the sale of its interest in the Deer Park refinery and associated petrochemical assets to Pemex.

    Aftermath

    Pemex became the refinery’s sole owner, while Shell retained other U.S. refining, chemicals, trading, marketing, and lubricants activities through the wider group.

    Source

  • 2021

    Sale of Permian Basin assets to ConocoPhillipsM&A

    Background

    Shell reviewed its upstream portfolio and capital allocation while seeking to concentrate investment on selected businesses and improve financial resilience.

    Action taken

    Shell agreed to sell its Permian Basin assets to ConocoPhillips for cash, subject to customary closing conditions.

    Aftermath

    The transaction reduced Shell’s direct exposure to the Permian Basin and represented a significant U.S. upstream portfolio divestment.

    Transaction value. Approximately US$9.5 billion announced consideration (2021 announcement)

    Source

  • 2020

    Sell Martinez RefineryM&A

    Background

    Shell reviewed its U.S. refining portfolio and the future of the Martinez, California facility.

    Action taken

    Shell sold the Martinez Refinery to PBF Energy.

    Aftermath

    The sale reduced Shell's directly owned U.S. refining footprint while the company retained broader fuel, trading, chemicals, and marketing activities.

    Source

  • 2018

    Invest in Silicon RanchStrategy

    Background

    Shell plc was developing a New Energies strategy and seeking exposure to U.S. renewable generation.

    Action taken

    Shell acquired a 44 percent interest in solar developer Silicon Ranch.

    Aftermath

    The investment expanded Shell's U.S. renewable-energy portfolio beyond conventional oil and gas activities.

    Reported maximum investment value. Up to $217 million (2018)

    Source

  • 2002

    Rebrand former Texaco stationsStrategy

    Background

    Shell acquired Texaco's interests in U.S. refining and marketing ventures after Chevron acquired Texaco.

    Action taken

    Shell converted former Texaco retail stations to the Shell brand.

    Aftermath

    The conversion was completed by June 2004 and substantially expanded the visibility of the Shell brand in U.S. retail fuel markets.

    Source

  • 1984

    Acquire remaining Shell Oil sharesM&A

    Background

    Royal Dutch Shell sought closer ownership of its U.S. subsidiary while Shell Oil still operated with considerable independence.

    Action taken

    Royal Dutch Shell purchased the approximately 30 percent of Shell Oil it did not already own for about $5.7 billion.

    Aftermath

    Shell Oil remained operationally independent for a period, but the transaction established full ownership by the parent group.

    Acquisition value. $5.7 billion (1984)

    Source

Recent events

  • Unconfirmed

    Reported

    Shell acquired the Multi Service Fuel Card business[12]

    Shell Oil Company acquired MSTS Payments and its Multi Service Fuel Card business from Multi Service Technology Solutions (TreviPay). MSTS Payments will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Oil Company.

  • Reported

    Drillship worker sues Shell and Noble over Hurricane Ida exposure[10]

    A drillship crewmember reportedly filed a lawsuit against Shell Oil Company, Noble Drilling Services, Inc. and others, alleging that the vessel was ordered toward Hurricane Ida and that he sustained physical and emotional injuries.

  • Unconfirmed

    Reported

    Environmental group sues Gulf and Shell over New Haven fuel terminals[11]

    The Conservation Law Foundation filed a lawsuit against Gulf and Shell Oil over their fuel storage terminals in New Haven, seeking safeguards against potential oil spills during a severe storm. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection said there is no record of a storm-related release from the storage units.

  • Unconfirmed

    Reported

    Gulf and Shell issue statements on environmental commitments[11]

    After the lawsuit concerning their New Haven fuel storage terminals, Gulf and Shell released statements saying they are committed to protecting the environment and meeting regulations.

  • Sullivans sue Truck World and Shell over fall injury[9]

    Gordon and Leslie Sullivan filed a lawsuit earlier in December against Truck World Inc., Shell Oil Co. and three unidentified employees, alleging negligence in maintaining or warning about a dangerous icy condition at the property. The lawsuit seeks $25,000 plus interest.

  • Unconfirmed

    Reported

    Empire Pipeline acquired the Gibson Terminal[13]

    Empire Pipeline LLC acquired the Gibson crude oil terminal in Louisiana from Equilon Enterprises and Shell Oil Co.

Read more

Sources13 sources

  1. 1Shell USAen.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Shell Oil Companyen.wikipedia.org
  3. 3Shell in the United Statesshell.us
  4. 4Shell announces intention to change company name to Shell plcshell.com
  5. 5Shell agrees to sell Permian assets to ConocoPhillipsshell.com
  6. 6Shell completes sale of Deer Parkshell.com
  7. 7Milieudefensie v. Royal Dutch Shell judgmentuitspraken.rechtspraak.nl
  8. 8John Hofmeister becomes presidenten.wikipedia.org
  9. 9Sullivans sue Truck World and Shell over fall injurytribtoday.com
  10. 10Sullivans sue Truck World and Shell over fall injurywbrz.com
  11. 11Gulf and Shell issue statements on environmental commitmentswshu.org
  12. 12Shell 收购 Multi Service Fuel Card 业务mobilityplaza.com
  13. 13Empire Pipeline收购Gibson Terminalrigzone.com

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