Shell Oil, the Houston-based petro-major has launched a new PR exercise to overcome oil industry’s avaricious image. But under this grab, a political agenda pitching for off shore oil exploration glints with a smile. On Thursday, John Hofmeister president of Shell Oil hosted a party for people from various walks of life in a renowned hotel ballroom of Richmond fortified with the open bar and a buffet table laden with stuffed mushrooms and melt-in-your-mouth beef carvings. The event is seen as an image makeover by the oil giant that was profoundly criticized for hiking its oil prices post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Behind this goodwill gesture, there was a hidden agenda. The presence of industry bigwigs, press reporters, socialites along side supportive state politicians and environmentalists were shocked to notice the conversion of the party in to a launch pad furthering the interests of the oil industry. Hofmeister, while welcoming his guests said, “We know for a fact the favorability rating of oil companies today ranges from 10% to 15% favorable. … It’s hard to go much lower. Of 21 major industries, we’re (ranked) 21. That’s not where we want to be.” Before the get-together, Hofmeister in a media interview admitted the need to change the image of his organization after the Katrina furry. After a long deliberation, he choose to implement a stratagem that the United Kingdom unit of multinational Royal Dutch Shell had opted, over new ad campaign or offering consumers special discounts. Even Burson-Marsteller, the Vcirginia based PR agency was hired to make the arrangements. At the venue, Hofmeister deftly handled the most pointed questions, constantly foretelling an image of even-tempered sensibleness. He spoke on need for higher auto fuel economy standards, need for action on climate change and potential of alternative energy sources such as hydrogen. But, his thrust for tapping offshore oil reservoirs and lifting of ban Congressional on it since the Santa Barbara oil spill 25 years ago is criticized by many as persuading public support for controversial proposal by the Interior Department last month for opening a region 50 miles off Virginia’s southern coast to oil drilling. Expressing his agenda in a candid ambience, he said, “The winds of change are upon us. Anyone that doesn’t recognize it is missing the point. The American people have had enough of such extraordinary dependence upon foreign imports. They’ve had enough of not feeling they are included in the debate over alternatives. … There is enormous worry and fear about future supplies, reliable supplies.” Soaring oil prices above $60 a barrel, companies like Shell has stumbled on more cash than cachet in last couple of months. With a huge profit of nearly $7 billion in just three months, the company is well positioned to boost its community relation. But there is a marked tension between Hofmeister’s projections and environmental concerns at a time when gas prices are soaring in the US and environmental hitches like climate change and Alaska oil spill demands new thinking and incremental technological progress. Image Via: USA Today