Wallace Pescarini, the President of SLB Offshore Atlantic Basin // PHOTO COURTSEY
Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, has commended SLB (formerly known as Schlumberger) for its efforts in advancing women in Science and Technology. SLB is one of the firms that was contracted by TotalEnergies for drilling, completions, and production services for the 200,000-barrel-per-day Tilenga oil development area in the Albertine.
It also provides software solutions for various oil and gas players involved in Uganda’s oil projects.
Wallace Pescarini, the President of SLB Offshore Atlantic Basin, is currently in the country to participate in the STEM Forum for Women in the East African Region, hosted at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The SLB Faculty for the Future programme, launched in 2004, grants fellowships to women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or post-doctoral research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields at leading universities worldwide.
Rubondo noted that several Ugandan women have already benefited from this support and appealed to SLB for increased assistance.
“The initiative has promoted gender equality and women’s emancipation in science and technology. We understand that about seven Ugandan women have benefited from the programme. We hope to see these numbers grow,” said Rubondo.
Pescarini highlighted SLB’s longstanding partnership with Uganda spanning over 18 years, marked by continuous investment, national capacity development, and innovative projects ensuring the nation’s energy security.
“We acknowledge the crucial role of energy in driving Uganda’s progress and believe that collaborative efforts and shared objectives can lead to significant advancements in shaping a sustainable energy future for Uganda, while also addressing broader developmental goals,” Pescarini remarked.
Pescarini and the SLB team expressed their eagerness to collaborate closely with the PAU, discussing initiatives and potential areas of cooperation, exchanging insights, and outlining a path for mutually beneficial growth.
By supporting STEM research for female scientists in emerging economies, SLB aims to enhance scientific and technological progress within the local communities and regions where selected candidates are awarded this programme.
Since its inception in 2004, the SLB Faculty for the Future programme has benefitted 863 women from ninety countries, enabling them to pursue PhD and post-doctoral research in STEM disciplines at leading universities and research institutions outside their home countries.
Who is Wallace Pescarini?
Wallace has 20+ years of leadership experience in the oil & gas industry working in various management and engineering positions in Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. He began his career in Schlumberger in 1997 in Brazil.
He is president Offshore Atlantic, a position taken in July 2020. Prior to his current role, he was Wells vice-president Marketing & Technology, president Testing Services, President Reservoir Characterization Western Hemisphere, President Mexico and Central America, Vice-President Drilling Group Europe & Africa and Global Vice-President Deepwater.
As President Offshore Atlantic he is responsible for the Schlumberger business in Europe, Africa, Latin America and North America Offshore. His global vision and his leadership are transforming the oilfield services leader into the energy technology industry.
He holds a master’s degree in business management from the Erasmus University in The Netherlands, Innovative Technology from Stanford in California, Finance Strategy from IMD in Switzerland and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the UNIFEI in Brazil.
Wallace joined the Board of the Schlumberger Foundation in April 2023 to support the SLB’s commitment to promoting women in technology. His main drive is to accelerate the steps towards advancing gender diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, which it is a key enabler for sustainable social development and energy transition.