Q&A with DeAnn Craig

Abstract

Editor's Note: In recognition of SPE's 50th anniversary in 2007, JPT is conducting interviews with several Society luminaries about their careers, their relationship with SPE, and the changes they have seen in the oil and gas industry and the Society over the past several decades. As SPE's first female President, were there any special obstacles you had to overcome or challenges you faced? When I first started in this industry, I was working on an offshore exploration project, and an engineer in my position needed to go offshore during well testing. But I was not allowed because there were no accommodations for women. When I was President of SPE, there were a few facilities I could not enter because I was a female. How has the role of women in the oil and gas industry changed since you were SPE President in 1998? There are so many women in the industry now in all positions. And the attitude now is that it is the norm to have women in the industry. Sure, it would be nice to have more, but it is such a change from when I used to be in meetings and there were no other women in the room. I cannot recall a single meeting that I have been in lately where there have not been several women in the room. I mean things have definitely changed. What advice would you give women just entering or considering a career in the industry? Build a diverse network of career coaches—other women, men, people in higher positions, peers in similar positions, and professionals within your company and in other companies. You will need a sounding board on a variety of topics. Advice is usually better when it includes a diversity of opinions. How do you see SPE evolving or changing over the next decade? SPE is truly international now. It was in the process of becoming more inter-national when I was President. In the future, I see SPE diversifying into more energy areas—doing more on liquefied natural gas, more on carbon capture, and more on unconventional oil and gas production. I also believe that usage of the Internet for information dissemination will continue to increase. And the use of volunteers' time will have to adjust—more of the work of SPE will have to shift to the SPE staff. How do you see the industry evolving or changing over the next decade? Demand for oil and gas will continue to rise over the next decade. To meet that demand, the industry will face more difficult technical challenges. As a result of limited access, there will be continued consolidation within the industry. When I was just starting my career, it was pretty obvious to me that it was the financial end that was the real problem in the industry. I think the industry has now switched; everybody understands that they have a handle on the financial side now. But the main issues now are technology and geopolitics.