The energy industry isn’t always an easy place for women who want to have families and lay down roots—frequent transfers can make that challenging. But most women don’t respond by starting their own companies.

Claire Jennings established seismic contractor WGP with her father in 1994. When the company became a public limited company and decided to relocate, she took a year off, and then started Aqua GeoProjects in May 2014. Some of her friends came along for the ride, and the company is now believed to be the first all-female managed marine seismic project management company in the world.

Joining Jennings, who is managing director of the company, is Kerry Thain, project manager; Kelly Richards, public relations and quality manager; and Emma Cox, marketing manager. Between them, they have more than 35 years of global marine experience. “All of the women at the helm of the business have real-time operational experience in the marine geophysical sector and work in the field overseeing international projects not usually supported by women. And these are not your typical industry locations, ranging from the Arctic circle to Azerbaijan to Panama,” Jennings said.

Jennings is not setting her sights on being the next CGG or WesternGeco. The company specializes in niche market services and seeks smaller scale operations in emerging areas where bespoke solutions are more often required that need to be cost-effective, reliable and scaled to fit the project budget.

This is in part because of the growth of WGP. Jennings wanted to get “back to our roots” to provide services that wouldn’t necessarily be available from larger contractors.

Jennings said that during her time off, opportunities began cropping up in 3-D, transition zone and 2-D in South America. She had some funds set aside, and she began to build the company, which formally announced itself in April 2015. During 2014 and 2015 she made contacts and deals with several international businesses, she said.

“I never considered myself to be an entrepreneur, but other business associates tell me I am,” she said. “However, I do know I’m good at coming up with ideas and making decisions. With any successful business, it’s all about relationships, collaboration and focus. You have to know your key market, and stick with it!”

So how does the all-female management team compare to a more traditional male-led organization? “I think women are far more able to multitask and look at the bigger picture,” Jennings said. “Men are quick thinkers and quick decision-makers. They go out there and get the job done, moving from one objective to the next. All-male teams usually deliver results, but there is sometimes a lack in human/nonbusiness interaction.”

However, she’s not taking a “No men allowed” approach.

“We certainly don’t rule out as the company grows expanding into a balanced and mixed team of both men and women,” she said. “There is no doubt that a mixed team brings its benefits.”

Comments