Helping women carve their place in guyana’s oil and gas sector

OIL and gas are the fastest-growing—and perhaps the most intriguing—new sector for both Guyanese and foreign investors. The industry has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, opening doors for hundreds of Guyanese businesses and professionals eager to make their mark. But for women, the journey into oil and gas can come with a unique set of challenges. From access to information to building professional networks and meeting compliance standards, many women often find themselves navigating an unfamiliar and intimidating space.

That’s where Women in Energy (WIE) comes in. A non-profit membership organisation, WIE was established with the goal of helping women and men understand the energy sector, access career and business opportunities, and build a supportive network of like-minded professionals. Chairwoman Abbigale Loncke-Watson, a seasoned entrepreneur with years of experience across several industries, including oil and gas, leads the group. In an interview with Pepperpot Magazine, she shared, “I have been an entrepreneur since 2012. I have several companies that I own and operate—a home care agency, a community healthcare service, and a relocation company in the oil and gas space under UW-Inc. I also co-own Scotty’s Smokehouse, and I’m one of the owners of Sispro Inc.” She is no stranger to community work either.

Starting Early: The Birth of Women in Energy

The journey of Women in Energy began back in 2020. Originally launched as Women in Oil and Gas, the organisation was the brainchild of Dr. Dawn Stewart, who saw the need to establish an inclusive space for women early on in the development of Guyana’s oil industry. “It was not just me. Dr. Dawn Stewart brought us together, the founding directors. She felt it was important for us to create an organisation early in the game, especially as I was new to Guyana,” Loncke-Watson shared.

At the time, Loncke-Watson had just entered the oil and gas sector with her company MBW and was the only one among the group working directly in the industry. “The other ladies were leaders in their own fields. I was able to share first-hand what it was like breaking into the industry,” she said. As the organisation grew, the founders recognised the need to broaden their scope. In 2022, they officially changed the name to Women in Energy to reflect a wider focus on the entire energy sector, not just oil and gas.

Bridging the Information Gap

WIE’s core mission is simple: empower women with the right information. “For us, it’s really information sharing. A lot of women we speak to don’t even realise how their skills can fit into the industry. We recently had a job fair, and a teacher walked in, unsure if she belonged there. But her skills were transferable—she just didn’t know that,” Loncke-Watson shared. This is a guiding theme WIE encounters. Whether it’s entering the field professionally or starting a business that serves the sector, many women hesitate because of misinformation or a lack of guidance. “We have women who can provide services, who can develop their business to meet the industry’s standard. But they just don’t know how to get there. Our biggest goal has been and continues to be giving them the information they need,” she explained.

Like many others, Loncke-Watson knows the entry barriers all too well. “To enter this industry, you need more than just ambition. You need the right skills, training, certifications, and business policies. And getting to that place requires knowledge—accurate, accessible information,” she said. She emphasised that for most women, the first hurdle isn’t financial or technical—it’s the information gap. “Once you overcome that and understand what’s required, then you can begin looking at finances, compliance, policies like health and safety,” she added.

Collaborating for Greater Reach

To expand its impact, WIE has been partnering with other stakeholders, including the Local Content Secretariat. Most recently, they launched a successful job fair, partnering with various companies in the oil and gas sector as well as government ministries. “One of the Secretariat’s goals is to see more women involved in the oil and gas sector. They’ve been implementing policies to hold operators and contractors accountable, asking them to report on the number of women they hire or award contracts to,” Loncke-Watson shared. Through this partnership, WIE has gained valuable insight into what companies are looking for, as she explained, “That led to the formation of consortiums within our organisation. We’ve already set up a security consortium and are working to develop others,” she added.

WIE operates with both paid and unpaid membership tiers, designed to serve a diverse group of women with different goals. “We have about 60 paid members and around 200 unpaid members. Our unpaid members join public events and receive general updates. Paid members, which include university students, sole proprietors, and larger companies, receive more tailored support,” Loncke-Watson said. The support ranges from helping students find internships to guiding businesses on how to become compliant and competitive within the energy sector.

The Bigger Picture

Despite the hurdles, Loncke-Watson believes this is the perfect time for women to step into the energy space, with the need for a diverse set of skills being larger than ever. “There’s no better time than now,” she stressed. “It’s not just about wearing a hard hat and going offshore. The energy industry is vast—there’s administration, education, health, catering, security, and logistics. Women have transferable skills. They just need to understand where they fit in.” She added that positioning is everything: “We have the skills. We just need to place ourselves in the right roles and make sure we’re ready.”

Looking ahead, WIE has several events planned to continue its outreach and support efforts. In July, the organisation will host its annual Women in Energy Forum—a major conference featuring discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. This will be followed by a more relaxed Sip and Paint session and the Women in Energy Brunch in September. “These events aren’t just about networking. They create a space where women can unwind, share experiences, and feel seen. In this industry, that matters,” Loncke-Watson said. As Guyana’s energy sector continues to evolve, Women in Energy is making sure that women aren’t just watching from the sidelines—they’re stepping in, taking part, and helping shape the future of the industry.