THE oil and gas industry has long been a cornerstone, vital for energy production and economic development. This sector, traditionally dominated by male participation has been undergoing a transformative change globally and in Guyana this is no different.

As such, in the commemoration of International Women’s Day, it is an opportune moment to reflect and celebrate the significant contributions and roles of women in oil and gas.
Historically, the involvement of women in oil and gas has been very limited. Traditionally, the industry has been perceived as a bastion of male dominance, with women often relegated to peripheral roles.

However, the narrative began to shift as pioneering women broke through barriers that paved the way for the future. Vicki Hollub made history in 2016 by becoming the first female Chief Executive Officer of a major U.S. oil company, Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

In Guyana, the oil and gas industry has witnessed a promising increase in female representation. Onecia Johnson, in the early days of the sector’s development in Guyana, joined SBM Offshore as its first employee and now serves as its Human Resource Manager.

She plays a key role in fostering programmes that attract, train and develop more local talent for the company. Grace Hutson, a Guyanese figure in the oil and gas industry, is one of the eight Caribbean women featured in the book “A Different Energy” by Celeste Mohammed, a Trinidadian author. Representing the strength and resilience of women in this sector, Hutson’s story unfolds as one of empowerment and influence amidst the challenges of a male-dominated field. Her initial reservation about joining the energy sector transformed into a commitment to leverage and transfer her skills.

Geoscientist, Ashlika Persaud was instrumental in the Tilapia, Tripletail and Pinktail discoveries at the Stabroek Block. In a previous interview she recounted how she began her career with ExxonMobil working on seismic modelling on the West-Africa opportunities team, after which she joined the Guyana exploration team as the lead geoscientist evaluating multiple oil prospects.

Exxon continues to be at the forefront of fostering diversity, with women occupying roles across various levels, from technical and operational positions to that of leadership. Currently, 52 percent of the oil giant’s workforce in-country are women, setting the precedence high for other companies in the sector. Additionally, more than 1,500 women support oil and gas operations for the company and its prime contractors.

The experiences of successful women in Guyana’s oil and gas sector are both inspiring and reflective of the changing industry landscape. Sispro Inc. stood out as the lone Guyanese company among bidders in the most recent oil block auction. Apart from being the sole Guyanese group bidding, the company was founded by four local women who recognised the need for more women-owned and operated businesses to be embedded in the oil and gas sector.

Looking forward, the prospects for women in Guyana’s oil and gas industry are bright, with continuing development and expansion projects offering new opportunities for more involvement and leadership. The ongoing efforts to address and dismantle the systemic barriers that hinder women’s full participation will be pivotal in ensuring that the industry not only benefits from but also contributes to gender equality.

The achievements and contributions of women in the oil and gas field are not just milestones to be celebrated on International Women’s Day but are indicative of the transformative power of diversity and inclusion. The oil companies’ commitment to these principles in Guyana serves as a beacon, illuminating the path toward a more equitable, innovative, and prosperous future for the industry.

In embracing this shift, the sector not only enhances its operational performance but also contributes to the broader societal goal of gender equality, setting a precedent for industries worldwide.