In conversation with… Jennifer Medcalf – Frontier Regional Leader, North America

Jennifer Medcalf exceptional level of industry knowledge, her desire to enable economic development and her out-and-out enthusiasm for what she does, all combine to create one of the global energy industry’s most respected professionals.

We’re incredibly proud to call her Frontier Regional Leader for North America, and recently caught up with her to find out what she’s bringing – and plans to bring – to the role.

“I’ve chalked up more than 35 years’ working within the global energy industry in one form or another – from pipelines and building power plants, to providing services to the onshore and offshore oil and gas sector.

“In other words, I’ve had the opportunity to become familiar with many of the components that make up the global energy industry and I feel very lucky in that respect.

“These days, I’m focused upon drilling (and some production), and my objective is to help organisations – whether contractor, operator or third party – to operate more efficiently and safely. Really helping management and employees get the most out of what they’re doing is a great feeling. And to help businesses get the returns they require whilst improving safety and leadership is the double-win – what better role could I have?

“And that is why the development of Africa’s oil and gas industry is so important to what I do, particularly in terms of local content. It’s also a crucial part of my role to recognise that Africa is a hugely diverse continent; its countries are at different stages and have very different needs as they undertake their oil and gas journey.”

Experience and Connections

“So it’s really a combination of that experience and industry connections which have led me to become a Regional Leader for Frontier. When I was approached, I felt humbled that they should choose to do so – there are a lot of people out there who fit the bill. For over four years now, I’ve been involved in Frontier’s Africa Energies Summit, and I really believe in what they do; the Summits bring something different to the table, particularly in that there is a focus on bringing government entities into the conversation in order to promote their countries’ energy plans and opportunities.

“That very much synergises with my own background in economic development. Whilst that was community, as opposed to country-based, the ultimate goal is the same; to develop income which increase the welfare of those in the region. And so, as you can see, there’s a real correlation between that and my Regional Leadership role.”

Ongoing Objectives

“So where will the emphasis lie for me in 2024?

“Primarily, I shall be focused on increasing the number of drilling contractors involved in the Africa Energies Summit. Without them, we have a critically flawed supply chain and whilst that’s not been addressed to any great degree so far, I am committed to bringing as many as I can to the Frontier table, to give them the type of access they need to the decision makers. In short, I’m looking to create the connection that helps to build the full supply chain required to deliver a thriving energy industry in a range of African countries.

“The feedback I get is that drilling contractors are starting to really see the value of Frontier and this is also where I come in as Regional Leader; to facilitate the next steps towards membership, which will cement the relationship between each party.

“There’s also an education component to Frontier’s role. Africa is a continent with a multitude of countries and languages - and there’s no way that one organisation can understand the whole continent.

“But by attending Summits, businesses can develop a far clearer picture of what’s happening from an individual country perspective, the development stages of various markets and the impact the geographical variety makes.”

A Refreshing Level of Diversity

“A final note from me: over recent years, one of the things that I have been very surprised and pleased by is the sheer number of women who are in decision-making roles in African oil and gas sectors. Many women are leading the industry as Heads of Drilling, Heads of NOCs, and that this form of diversity is so advanced – perhaps in comparison to other regions - is exceptionally heartening to see. Industry culture does not change overnight. It takes effort and time, but I feel hugely positive about the example many African countries are making, and look forward to exploring this further during the Global Women in Energy Roundtable & Lunch session at May’s Africa Energies Summit in London.”

The Africa Energies Summit takes place in London on 14th -16th May, 2024.