Executive: Exploration Upstream
Your journey as a woman in the male dominated industry
I am one of the first group of students to be enrolled for the Geology course at the University of Namibia in 1999. We had a good balance in terms of number of female and male students in our 1999 Geology class, even though historically Geosciences career is considered to be male dominated. I completed my first degree in 2003, and thereafter I joined the department of mines at the Ministry of Mines and Energy. I was the only female Geologist in this department even though there were other female employees in other administrative roles, such as mining inspectors. Therefore, I never felt out of place during my employment at the Ministry.
However, things took a different turn in 2006 whenI joined NAMCOR as a Geoscientist. I was the only female Geoscientist in the company for a period of 6 years. However, my opinions and contributions were equally considered as much as that of my male counterparts. I think this was a result of my dedicated efforts to provide meaningful contributions to the projects, being assertive and believing in my capabilities. I engaged in continuous research and also reached out to industry champions for direction and guidance.
What was the most challenging aspect of your career?
Despite, the amazing experience I had in the office, seismic vessel visits were challenging. Seismic vessels are sophisticated ships used to acquire data which depict a picture/image of the subsurface used to locate possible areas of hydrocarbon accumulation and this data is referred to as seismic data. Facilities on these vessels are usuallyengineered to host male occupants only, which is quite frustrating sometimes. In addition, female occupants sometimes tend to restrict movements while on a seismic to avoid unnecessary attention as they might be only one female at a given time. However, I learned to set boundaries from the time I board a seismic vessel,eeven though, this is perceived as being tough, but it is sometimes it is required to set the record straight.
Field excursions also had their share of challenges, but I managed to survive both physical and emotional challenges. The main trick is not to imitate how male counterpart conduct themselves, but to act as confident women and know your work.
Shed light on your promotion in management roles?
I was promoted to the position of Asset Manager in the Exploration and Production Department in 2012. and two female Geoscientists subsequentlyjoined the team. Thereafter, I was appointedas Acting Executive for Exploration and Production(E&P) department in 2015 for a period of four years and later appointed as Executive for Upstream Exploration in 2019 after company restructuring.
I am happy to mention that I am the first female to lead the E&P team at NAMCOR, this role also presented me with opportunity to participate in Joint venture meetings for projects operated by International companies where most people in the board rooms are male. I am now used to this set-up, and I tend to participant in meetings without even considering the gender differences in the room anymore.
Your contributions to key milestones/achievements
I have always worked with a dedicated team during my employment at NAMCOR, some of our achievements includes the following:
I successfully led the Asset Management team which first developed a reputable NAMCOR Exploration & Production database in 2015.
In 2018, the Exploration and Production team conducted the first regional Prospect Inventory Project for the Orange Basin under my leadership which was validated external subject professionals.
I successfully facilitated and led the negotiations on behalf of NAMCOR for the farm-out transaction; which resulted in ExxonMobil acquiring 85% interest and operatorship in NAMCOR license blocks with working interest which are block 1811A (PEL 86) and 1711 (PEL 89).
I successfully led the NAMCOR participation in International oil & gas conferences including the Virtual Africa E & P summit of 2020; where NAMCOR first won the Best National Oil Company of the year in Africa Award.
I successfully implemented and executed NAMCOR strategy to acquire Petroleum Exploration License with working interest and enhanced the prospectivity of these license blocks by conducting Geological and Geophysical work. This has provided NAMCOR with an opportunity to meaningful participant in exploration for oil & gas in Namibia and to be able to influence exploration agenda.
In addition, an exploration business is not meant to be a revenue generating business, however over the past years NAMCOR exploration business has generated income to sustain the E & P operations in the company.
A Word for upcoming oil & gas professionals
I think women bring different leadership skills and new perspective to the table, since we are gifted with the ability of being problem solvers. However, we can meaningfully contribute and bring valuable ideas on the table, if you are fully equipped with knowledge and skills required to discharge the task at hand. This means that one has to be enthusiastic, curious, and willing to improve one’s knowledge continuously. Do not shy away from asking questions, show what you know and learn as much as you can from others.
In addition, women are encouraged to build a track record of producing high quality work and show integrity in whatever you do at all times. Mostly importantly build network with expertise in the industry which can provide a platform to enhance your knowledge and skills and share your experience as well.
A word on the new discoveries and their benefits for Namibia, the region and the rest of the world
After several decades of extensive exploration for oil and gas coupled with drilling of dry wells, Namibia finally discovered significant accumulation of oil and associated gas in 2022. These discoveries are positioning Namibia to become the third largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa within a decade (woodmac,2022). The discoveries also provide NAMCOR with an opportunity to evolve rapidly in order to maximize and grow profits for its shareholders.
In addition, these discoveries will also generate direct and indirect employment representing part of the positive impact to the Namibian economy. Realistic local content plans has to be in place to make sure that Namibians benefit from the oil & gas supply chain. Therefore, the is a need to identify elements of the supply to be prioritize for in-county focus as the oil & gas industry evolve.
Lastly, the data obtained from drilling companies, has also contributed to enhance the understanding of the subsurface geology. Geology models havebeen updated and we have observed increased chance of success for hydrocarbon discoveries in prospects identified within the Orange, Luderitz and Walvis sedimentary basinswith similar geological l setting to that Venus and Graff prospects.
