This is an oral history interview with Gene Bankston conducted as part of the Houston History Project. Gene Bankston grew up in Southeast Oklahoma. After serving in World War II as a B-17 gunner he studied petroleum engineering at the University of Oklahoma, earning his degree in 1949. He began working for Shell that same year and quickly rose through Shell's ranks. He worked towards economically evaluating prospects in order to maximize profits for the company. After working in New York in 1957, Shell assigned him to the Hague to better understand the "big picture" at the company. Between 1957 and 1963 he worked in various capacities for the company including division exploitation engineer for Southwest Louisiana and assistant to Shel...