ABU DHABI – Oil and gas companies will reap financial as well social benefits from actively promoting inclusion and diversity in their organizations, industry leaders at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) heard last Nov. 14.

In delivering the keynote address for ADIPEC’s co-located Inclusion and Diversity in Energy Conference, Tala Al Ramahi, Chief Strategy Officer for the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi, said that while diversity remained a problem in oil and gas, ADNOC and other leading companies were actively seeking to change this.

“Women make up only 15 percent of the oil and gas industry, a number that drops further among the higher-paid technical roles,” said Al Ramahi. “The energy sector remains one of the least gender-diverse sectors in the economy, despite recent efforts to encourage and promote women’s participation.

“It is now time to understand why we fall short within various indicators of diversity and find remedies to correct them.”

Among the current positive developments, Al Ramahi noted that 22 major international and national oil companies had this year issued a call to action to close the gender gap in the industry. She also highlighted ADNOC’s programs to increase the diversity of its workforce, having been named winner of the ‘Oil and Gas Inclusion and Diversity Company of the Year’ at this year’s ADIPEC Awards.

In his opening address for ADIPEC, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Group CEO of ADNOC, re-stated ADNOC’s ambition to provide an innovative, diverse workplace, where women work alongside men in the field and in leadership roles.

“At ADNOC Group, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has committed to appointing at least one female CO (chief officer) across his group of operating companies. Already 15 percent of senior managers are women, and they are increasing the number of female recruits,” said Al Ramahi.

She also praised ADNOC for committing to recruit more people of determination into the organization.

“Diversity matters, and inclusion pays off when an organization commits to being as diverse as they can be for everyone. Regardless of ability or disability, gender, or educational background, race or ethnicity, or cultural background. And again, this is not just about improving a company’s reputation. Study after study on this topic has repeated that this commitment to inclusion provides organizations with a serious competitive advantage.”

Held on the final day of ADIPEC, the Inclusion and Diversity in Energy Conference is part of Oil and Gas 4.0, ADIPEC’s landmark strategic conference. Since its inauguration in 1984, ADIPEC has continued to grow, gaining worldwide recognition as the premier oil and gas industry exhibition and conference. The exhibition brings together over 2,200 international exhibiting companies across 160,000 gross square meters, with 23 country pavilions, attracting over 150,000 global attendees and 51 National and International Oil Companies. The conference hosts over 980 strategic and technical speakers across more than 160 sessions, covering the full energy value chain and attracting over 10,400 delegates.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, ADIPEC was held on Nov. 11-14 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). — SG