“We wanted to recruit more women, both to strengthen future hiring efforts and to improve the work environment. We believe we perform better when we aim for a 50/50 gender balance,” says Laila Helen Eriksen, HSEQ Manager at Omega Subsea. 

At the same time, she emphasizes that qualifications remain the top priority in the hiring process. 

“We hire based on competence, not just to increase the proportion of women. Qualifications are essential for the job.” 

The power of visual representation 

In a traditionally male-dominated industry, Omega Subsea has taken deliberate steps to change its workforce composition, particularly in onshore positions. Eriksen notes that even small adjustments can make a big difference. 

“We have made some changes to our marketing activity, such as using images that depict both women and men working onshore and offshore. Pictures are a powerful communication tool, and we have used them strategically. By showcasing diversity in age, background, and gender, we aim to attract a broader pool of applicants, contributing to a more sustainable department and company in the long run. We have started where change is easiest—onshore.” 

Pushing for more diversity offshore 

Recruiting for offshore roles has been more challenging. Currently, the company has only one female ROV pilot, but Eriksen is optimistic that more women will take on offshore positions in the near future. 

“When we’ve advertised apprenticeship positions, we’ve seen an increase in female applicants, which is a positive sign.” 

She also notes that industries requiring higher education have made more progress in improving gender diversity. 

“I’ve worked in the oil and gas industry for years, and I’ve seen a clear shift taking place. Many companies are actively working to increase female representation through dedicated forums and initiatives aimed at making the industry more appealing to women.” 

Seeking more excitement at work 

Caroline Stephansen is one of the women who joined Omega Subsea in the past year. With experience in both oil and gas and renewable energy, she has been working as a Project Manager for six months. However, she found herself missing the fast pace and intensity of her previous roles. 

“I love working towards deadlines, collaborating with others, and staying focused. That’s what I enjoyed in the oil and gas industry, and I’ve found the same energy here,” she says. 

She currently oversees operations on two of Solstad’s vessels, where Omega Subsea provides services. Being part of a team that delivers high-quality ROV and survey services keeps her motivated. She also values the diversity at Omega Subsea. 

“I’ve always studied and worked in male-dominated environments, but here at the Omega Subsea office, we have a 50/50 balance. That’s unique.” 

Still, what she values most about the job is the work itself and the people around her. 

“The oil industry has led to remarkable engineering and technological advancements on the seabed. It’s exciting to be close to large vessels and ROVs that dive thousands of meters underwater. Plus, it’s a great group of people, and I felt part of the team right away. Even though I haven’t been here long, it feels like I have. Good colleagues are just as important as the work itself,” she says. 

Caroline Stephansen, Project Manager at Omega Subsea.

Building something new 

Hanne Taarland and Hallgjerd H. Ravnås established Omega Subsea’s survey department in 2024. 

“I began my career at Stolt-Nielsen in 1990, starting offshore before transitioning to an onshore role in 2000. When the company relocated to Stavanger, Norway, I moved with them—it was the right decision for me at the time, especially with a young family. Over the years, the company changed ownership multiple times, first becoming Acergy and later Subsea7, but my role remained the same.”

Eventually, she and two colleagues from Subsea7 founded their own company, Geopluss. Later, she and Ravnås transitioned to Omega Subsea. They hadn’t been actively looking for a change, but when Omega Subsea approached them, the opportunity seemed like a great fit. 

“Building up the survey department at Omega Subsea was a challenge we were eager to take on. It was also an opportunity to be part of something bigger. We quickly found a good connection with Omega Subsea—the company felt like home, with strong collaboration, open communication, and a short path to decision-makers.” 

Encouraging more women to consider offshore work 

“Offshore work has historically been, and still is, male-dominated. In the survey department, we’d love to see more women join the team. A mixed workforce is always beneficial, both onshore and offshore,” says Hanne Taarland. 

However, recruiting women for offshore positions has not been a specific strategy for them. The focus has always been on finding the right people with the right skills. 

“We would love to hire more women, but the reality is that most applicants are men. It’s usually ten male applicants for every female one. We are seeing more women applying for onshore roles, which may be due to better work-life balance. That might make it more appealing.” 

At the same time, she believes offshore work has plenty to offer women. 

“Women need to see how exciting subsea and offshore work can be. The industry involves cutting-edge technology, large construction vessels, and a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same. You work on large-scale operations and face technical challenges. Plus, there’s a strong sense of teamwork on the vessels, and you get to travel a lot. Right now, we have five vessels in operation—one in the North Sea, two in Africa, one in Brazil, and one in the Caribbean. It’s a career path that can lead to great opportunities, both offshore and onshore.” 

Hanne Taarland, Survey Manager at Omega Subsea.

A varied and flexible career 

Helle Gjersum, currently on maternity leave, has been with Omega Subsea since 2013 and became a Project Manager in 2024. Her career in subsea wasn’t something she had planned.

“After high school, I started studying math and physics in Trondheim, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it. I applied for remaining spots in Bergen and got into marine technology. The plan was to stay for a year, but I ended up staying for five because I enjoyed it so much.” 

After completing her education, she worked both on vessels and onshore as a project engineer and field engineer. Today, she appreciates the diverse expertise within Omega Subsea and the company’s growing female representation. 

“It’s great to have more women in the workplace. I think most teams benefit from diversity and gender balance. Omega Subsea has done a good job in recruitment.” 

She also enjoys the variety in the industry. 

“It’s a dynamic field that requires a broad range of expertise. You gain exposure to different career paths and collaborate across disciplines. For engineers like me, the technical challenges and projects are especially appealing. That’s what drew me to the operational side of the industry. I enjoy seeing how the designs we create in the office come to life in real-world applications.” 

Another aspect she appreciates is the industry's global reach and flexibility. 

“You work with people from all over the world, experiencing different work cultures and personalities—some great, some challenging. That makes the job even more interesting. I’ve also had periods where I wanted to work as much as possible, and others where I preferred a steady Monday-to-Friday schedule. The subsea industry is flexible, offering opportunities to structure your work life in a way that fits different phases of life and career goals.”  

Helle Gjersum, Project Manager in Omega Subsea.