In 2023, women still make up only 22 percent of the oil and gas industry, despite much talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, which encompasses many characteristics beyond just gender. However, research shows women have always played a behind-the-scenes role from the industry’s earliest days. Some of their names are…
Rebecca Ponton has been a journalist for 30+ years and is also a petroleum landman. She is the author of Breaking the GAS Ceiling: Women in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry (Modern History Press; May 2019). She is also the publisher of Books & Recovery.
Oil and gas operations are commonly found in remote locations far from company headquarters. Now, it's possible to monitor pump operations, collate and analyze seismic data, and track employees around the world from almost anywhere. Whether employees are in the office or in the field, the internet and related applications enable a greater multidirectional flow of information – and control – than ever before.