IBP Expands Gender Equity Agenda with the Second Cycle of “O Mar Também é Delas” and Continued Mentorship Programs
The Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP) is strengthening its long-term gender equity agenda through three complementary initiatives in 2026: the launch of the second cycle of the industry-wide project “O Mar Também É Delas”, focused on cultural transformation in the offshore environment, and the continuation of the "Programa de Mentoria Feminina" and “Elas Movem a Energia”, both led by the Oil and Gas Industry University (UnIBP).
Offshore Leadership Training Begins in March
The second cycle of "O Mar Também é Delas" together Equinor, Ocyan, Petrobras, Shell, SLB, Subsea7, TechnipFMC, and TotalEnergies in a joint effort to advance gender equity in offshore operations. A key milestone of this new phase will be the creation of a pilot class of offshore leaders nominated by the participating companies.
Originally launched in 2021 and relaunched at ROG.e 2024, the project emerged in response to the challenges faced by women working in offshore exploration and production, a segment historically characterized by male predominance. A survey conducted by Ipsos found that 90% of female professionals consider gender equity campaigns essential, 87% support programs that encourage the hiring of women, and 34% believe their offshore careers inspire other women to enter the industry.
This new cycle transforms those findings into concrete action. The training program for offshore leaders will include modules on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), with certification and validation by the project’s Working Group. The initiative is expected to expand in the coming years until all offshore leaders have been trained.
“O Mar Também é Delas reflects the industry’s collective commitment to building a safer, more inclusive and diverse offshore environment. By investing in leadership development, we are addressing the root causes of cultural change and creating the conditions for more women to enter, remain in, and thrive within the industry. As a collaborative effort, the project remains open to new partners interested in strengthening this agenda and expanding the impact of this transformation,” said Claudia Rabello, IBP’s Corporate Executive Director.
Among the initiatives planned for 2026 are the development of a First Offshore Assignment Guide, the publication of "O Mar Também é Delas" magazine, an event marking the International Day for Women in Maritime, a dedicated project showcase at ROG.e 2026—one of the world’s largest energy events—and the mapping of the supplier chain to support the future development of a gender equity awareness program.
"Elas Movem a Energia": Developing Female Leaders
Complementing efforts to transform the operational environment, and following the success of the "Programa de Mentoria de Liderança Feminina" —which is now entering its tenth cohort and is designed for women already in leadership positions—UnIBP is currently running the second cycle of "Elas Movem a Energia", scheduled for completion in July.
The initiative aims to accelerate women’s career advancement by empowering professionals at the early and intermediate stages of their careers and preparing them for future leadership positions within the energy sector.
Over a five-month period, the program combines workshops, individual and group mentoring sessions, practical Storytelling and Communication workshops, and “Ask Me Anything” sessions with industry leaders. These activities foster psychological safety, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.
The program focuses on developing competencies such as self-leadership, emotional intelligence, assertive communication, career ownership, and team management, while also supporting participants in building personalized development plans.
“We believe that our group workshops, particularly those focused on emotional intelligence, contribute to the development of self-leadership, self-confidence, and accountability, fostering sustainable high performance. Our goal is to create personalized development plans that help participants prepare for leadership challenges and thrive in their careers,” said Karen Cubas, Manager of UnIBP.
A Strategic Movement for the Future of the Industry
By combining initiatives that promote cultural transformation in offshore operations with structured leadership development for women, IBP is consolidating an integrated strategy to advance gender equity across the oil, gas, and energy sector.
More than isolated initiatives, "O Mar Também é Delas", the "Programa de Mentoria Feminina", and "Elas Movem a Energia" represent a strategic, long-term movement supported by goals, monitoring mechanisms, and strong industry engagement. Together, they are designed to drive meaningful and lasting change for women in the industry—both onshore and, above all, offshore.
