Celest Mohammed’s deep dive into the stories of women in oil and gas

NEWS of the country’s latest oil discovery surged to the forefront of public discourse, igniting conversations among Guyanese from all walks of life. Whether in bustling corner shops, cozy homes, rigorous academic institutions, or high-stakes diplomatic circles, the subject of oil was everywhere.

Meaningful dialogues were held, pondering our current standing and envisioning our imminent future. Yet, amidst this fervour, a significant question arose: Were women being marginalised in these critical discussions? Was the voice of women diminishing into a mere echo against the backdrop of the oil excitement? And how did Guyana’s situation compare with its counterparts in the oil-producing Caribbean realm?

Addressing these poignant inquiries, Celeste Mohammed embarked on a literary journey with her book, “A Different Energy.” This renowned Trinidadian author sought the perspectives of eight formidable women across the Caribbean, each carving their path within the male-dominated oil and gas sector.

Among these trailblazers was Grace Hutson from Guyana, whose compelling narrative unfolds in the ninth chapter. Their stories, rich with determination and resilience, serve as a beacon of inspiration, proving indispensable as Guyana and its Caribbean neighbours navigate the promising yet uncertain waters of an oil-dominated future. Celeste’s endeavour is a clarion call to acknowledge and celebrate the pivotal role women play in shaping this narrative.

“A Different Energy” delves into the lives of eight women intimately involved with the oil and gas industry, offering a fresh lens through which to view their contributions. Celeste’s choice of subject matter is a testament to her innovative spirit, venturing into uncharted literary territory. Despite the inherent challenges of crafting a piece of literature, Celeste describes her latest project as a leap of faith.

At a recent book launch and during an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, She confessed, “It was definitely a risk. But you know, I don’t know that I would have sat down in my office and said, hmm, I’m going to become a writer and I am going to take that risk. I think it’s more like the things that are going through your head that’s telling you this thing has probably run its course. What is the next thing?”

With a blend of apprehension and excitement, Celeste approached the project, eager to diverge from her usual narrative style and explore a niche yet compelling topic. She shares, “I would say that my most recent work was really moving from the success of fiction into non-fiction, which I really haven’t done in long form before. And to do something again that I’ve never done before and to do it for a very small publishing house. I just really, in both cases, think both are common denominators for following a passion.”

Envisioning the book’s potential impact was the initial and most crucial step for Celeste. She explains, “There was the challenge of believing that I could do this. When I was first approached and asked to do it, I said, I don’t know, that’s not my thing. It took me about six months of thinking about this and reading up around the general topic about women and women in oil and gas, because I cannot write one command. When I was at that point where I realised there was a need to tell these women’s stories…I said, okay, now I know the book I want to write.”

Transitioning from fiction to non-fiction presented a significant shift for Celeste, moving from a realm where she wielded total control over her characters to one where she became a custodian of real-life narratives. She reflects, “With fiction, I can control what characters do and where they go, what they say. Also, I had to be so careful because this is someone else’s story. It is a thing you have to handle, so I also had to deal with, think about it, eight very powerful ‘Type-A’ personality women and I’m taking their stories and trying to put them on the page. So there was a lot of hand-holding, there was a lot of, you know, my softer skills have to come into play. Which I don’t have to do with my fiction characters.”

The essence of “A Different Energy” is undeniably dynamic, crafted to captivate readers as profoundly as it captivated Celeste during its creation. She elucidates, “Because it was new, and because I knew myself so well, I knew I would get bored if I tried to just do the same thing right through. I decided that every chapter would be different. Every chapter would either be written in a different voice, in a different way.” She further elaborates, “Every single chapter is different in form, as well as content. Some chapters, it’s all about me saying what I think. So that is how I kept myself interested enough in the project, a project where I had less control over content than normal. I had to find ways to keep myself in the game.”

Grace Hutson: Breaking New Ground
Grace Hutson, who shines as the sole Guyanese among the lot, represents the unyeilding spirit of Guyanese women in the oil and gas industry. Joining Halliburton, she initially harboured doubts and insecurities. Yet, her journey swiftly transformed into one of empowerment and influence within the rapidly evolving energy sector. Grace, during the interview, shared her initial reservations, “When the opportunity was presented to work in the oil and gas industry, to tell you the truth, I had one round of interviews at Halliburton, and I was like, this is not the job for me, I don’t want to do it.”

Over time, Grace recognised how her skills and knowledge could make a significant impact. She elaborates, “I also saw how all the experience that I had before and how I can leverage the things I’ve learned from my international research degree to work with governments and IOCs and NOCs in the oil and gas industry. So what first started out as a risk in terms of moving the business into the energy area, very quickly became something very easy for me to do. I was looking for the opportunity to ensure that my skills could be transferred.”

Sharing her narrative within the pages of “A Different Energy” was not merely an act of personal reflection for Grace but a beacon of hope for aspiring young women. She expresses, “I was just telling my story with the hope that in telling that story, a young girl who has hopes and dreams of potentially entering the industry she will read something and be inspired by it. If I managed to have caught the attention of 10 of them, that’s great, but I was just using this opportunity to tell my story because I do believe that in sharing your story, sharing knowledge and information, it has a transformational impact.”

Grace’s inclusion in the book illuminated the common threads binding these women’s experiences across borders. Initially isolated in her narrative journey, the book’s release unveiled a collective struggle and triumph among her peers. She muses, “The interesting thing about this book I was only exposed to my story. I had not read the book until it was released. So when I read the book, I was like, oh my goodness, I am not the only one.” She adds, “The things that I thought were impossible are really possible. I can have it all. Maybe in a different way. And I’m kind of, the all is the two ends, motherhood and management in this industry. I can have it, but it might be difficult for me. But it is possible.”

“A Different Energy” is more than just a collection of stories; it is a testament.