The narrative of the oil and gas industry often revolves around towering figures, technical breakthroughs, and innovative engineering.
While their contributions may not receive enough recognition, the influence of women in oil and gas runs deep, shaping the industry in profound ways.
In the spring of 1924, Martin Yates found himself at a crossroads, tasked with the daunting challenge of locating a viable oil well after two failed drilling attempts. Determined to defy the odds, he turned to what may have been an unconventional source of guidance—the intuition of his wife, Mary. In a bold move that would defy convention and rewrite history, Martin entrusted Mary with the decision to select the site for the next drilling attempt.
And you know what? It paid off big time. On April 9, 1924, they hit oil at the spot Mary chose. It was a turning point, not just for them but for the whole industry. A woman’s intuition led to the first oil-producing well in the Pecos Valley, the Illinois #3, and the subsequent oil boom of the area.
Mary’s story is just one piece of the puzzle. There are still many women blazing trails in geology, engineering, production, and more. BD Sue Spencer, Artesia native and Multi-Skilled Operator for ConocoPhillips, is one of those women. Spencer was the very first female hired as a Lease Operator by Concho Oil and Gas in 2013. Spencer says that throughout her career she has never felt ostracized or excluded.
“The oil and gas industry has always been very welcoming to my family and very supportive of the fact that I have children,” she said. “I was pregnant out in the field twice and could not have done it without the support of my co-workers.”
Many female pioneers have paved the way for women in oil and gas. They weren’t just bystanders. They were the ones driving progress, breaking down barriers, and shaping the industry into what it is today. According to Spencer, there seems to still be a stigma surrounding the oil and gas industry, that it is too dangerous or physically demanding for women. According to a 2023 study by the Boston Consulting Group, women make up 23% of the oil and gas industry, a percentage that lags behind other major sectors, with only construction coming in behind at 14% female representation.
As Spencer sees it, however, anyone with common sense, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn can excel within the industry.
“Women are dramatically becoming more prevalent in the oil and gas industry. Over my ten-year career, I have gone from being the only female lease operator to being one of many. I also have begun to encounter female safety managers, truck drivers, chemical techs, and more,” said Spencer.
According to a study by the American Petroleum Institute, female employment in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries is projected to account for 185,000 of the total job opportunities through 2030. Although opportunities for women in oil and gas are available across the country, women may not be familiar with the job opportunities and career development available in the industry. Highlighting women already working in oil and gas helps other women see the possible paths for them.
The success of the Illinois #3 oil well stood as a testament to the power of women’s intuition and paved the way for greater recognition of women’s capabilities in a male-dominated field. The true story of Mary Yates holds for us a powerful reminder of the impact women have had on the world of oil and gas and the endless potential they hold for the future.
Article written by Elisabeth Jackson and originally published in Focus Regional 2024 Oil & Gas edition.
Elisabeth Jackson
Elisabeth Jackson is the Executive Director of the Written in Red Foundation in Artesia. Outside of work she serves on the worship team of her church, is involved in women’s ministry, and loves to crochet in her “free time.” But, her favorite place to be is at home or on the farm with her husband and two daughters, aged six and three.
