Share of females in oil and gas industry 'very low'

By Diyar Guldogan and Dilara Zengin

ISTANBUL (AA) - The share of females in the oil and gas industry is "very low", Katharina Rick, partner and managing director of Boston Consulting Group, said on Wednesday.

"Our report has provided some findings that many of you, and I see a lot of women in the audience, probably do not find super surprising -- that the share of women in the oil and gas industry is very low, especially compared to other industries," Rick said.

Rick's remarks came during her address at a plenary session at the 22nd World Petroleum Congress, the largest meeting of the oil and gas industry in Istanbul, of which Anadolu Agency is the global communication partner

The report, prepared by the World Petroleum Council and the Boston Consulting Group, included interviews with more than 60 male and female senior industry executives worldwide, a survey of approximately 2,000 male and female industry professionals from a wide range of 38 companies, with total revenues of $1.9 trillion.

Rick said the percentage of average females in the oil and gas industry is around 22 percent.

"The numbers are stark. Women constitute 38 percent of the workforce in major oil-producing nations but only 22 percent of employees in oil and gas," according to the report.

The report said the industry’s "poor image" among women poses a "substantial" impediment to recruitment.

"Many women regard the industry as male-centric and as rigid and outdated in its practices and mindset -- including its attitude toward women," it added.