Interviewer(s): T. Priest. Houston, TX

Affiliation: University of Houston/History International

Mike Forrest got his B.S. in geological engineering from St. Louis University and joined Shell Oil in 1955. He moved through the company and became Senior Geophysicist for the New Orleans E&P area. It was here that he documented the bright spot phenomenon that changed the way Shell and the industry searched for hydrocarbons. He continued working for various branches of the company with the highlights being from 1965-1975. During that time he discovered bright spots and was heavily involved in preparing for various Gulf of Mexico lease sales. In 1978 he became Division Exploration Manager for the Frontier Division, Western E&P, and in 1979, Pacific Frontier Division. He became General Manager for Shell Offshore in 1984. Finally, in 1987 he was elected president of Pecten International. He served in that position until his retirement in 1992.