Attracting and retaining young talent – and women especially – should be a serious priority for oil and gas companies. Even in a region like Mena, which has a high proportion of well-educated youth, many younger people don’t consider the hydrocarbon sector attractive.
That was a focus of last week’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. To meet global commitments on climate change and contend with volatility, the industry must reform and for that it needs young people with new ideas. But young people want their professional lives to be consistent with their values; they want to make a positive difference.
Oil and gas companies must fundamentally overhaul their approach to diversity and inclusion, confronting longstanding gender imbalances. Younger people – both women and men – are put off by the lingering sexism that persists in the sector. Women make up a significant proportion of the young talent that oil and gas companies need. The Mena region has a high proportion of women studying science and engineering but there is little evidence that this helps them to enter and thrive in the region’s key industry.
The UAE has made advances in gender equality at its national oil company – Adnoc, for example, has had women in top positions and increased its percentage of female employees. But there is still a lack of will in this regard at the top of many companies. To attract innovative young men and women, the oil business needs to transform. Strong senior leadership and real culture change are needed.
Laury Haytayan, Mena director, Natural Resource Governance Institute, US
A clash of conservatism and traditions with the law
Regarding your story Dozens arrested around flashpoint Indian temple (November 20), referring to the ongoing agitation and protests in the Indian southern state of Kerala surrounding the controversial Sabarimala temple, this has become a battleground between faith and law.
A total of 68 people have been arrested after female devotees were stopped from going into the temple. Yet the highest court in India has given its verdict, saying there are no restrictions for women.
Unfortunately, centuries of tradition and conservatism seem to be winning the battle. Whether the law ultimately emerges the winner remains to be seen.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
A big thumbs up for the ride of your life with new service
With reference to your story about Uber (November 20), will the new drivers have luxury supercars like Bentleys and Jaguars? That would be lovely. It is really nice to hear this.
Tanya Milbourne, Dubai
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.