Dr. Jun Zhang is a leading expert at Atmos International, a company renowned for its innovative solutions in pipeline leak detection and monitoring. With a strong background in engineering and data analytics, Dr. Zhang plays a crucial role in advancing the company's mission to enhance pipeline safety and environmental protection. Her research focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to develop more accurate and efficient systems for detecting and preventing pipeline failures. Dr. Zhang's contributions to the field have positioned her as a key figure in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and her work continues to drive progress in the realm of pipeline integrity and monitoring solutions.

1. Breaking Barriers in the Pipeline Sector

Dr. Zhang, you’ve had an extraordinary journey from developing pipeline leak detection systems at Shell to founding Atmos International and turning it into a global leader. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a woman starting out in a male-dominated field, and how did you overcome them?

Well, as it goes back 37 years we are talking about a very different environment in 1988. Imagine a small, humble Chinese woman among many tall and ambitious Dutch men! Since it was my first job after the PhD and my first time working in the Netherlands, there was a lot for me to learn. I was lucky that with my strong technical background, I developed the statistical pipeline leak detection system very quickly. The main challenge was the business culture. With so few women working in the energy industry, all the processes and systems were designed with only men in mind. For example, although I excelled in designing a new leak detection system, my management potential was ranked low by my boss. It meant that I would not be able to progress my career beyond a department head. After the first performance review, I learned to adapt to Shell’s culture and started to speak up more. I also decided to do an MBA to broaden my business knowledge. By the time I left Shell in 1995, my management potential was ranked significantly higher.

Shell was a fantastic company to work for. They had excellent training facilities and resources available. Once I demonstrated my abilities, I received a lot of support and encouragement. Even 30 years ago, some of the Shell leaders went out of their way to promote women in engineering, so I am eternally grateful to Shell for the opportunities and experiences they have given me.

2. Giving Back to the Next Generation

As a pioneer and leader in the pipeline industry, you’ve paved the way for many. How do you mentor or support young women entering this field, and what lessons from your career do you most often share with them?

I love the pipeline industry and I strongly believe that both men and women can significantly contribute to the safe and reliable operation of pipelines. At Atmos we always try to find and recruit women but unfortunately there are not many women who choose to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. 

One of our goals is to introduce more girls to science and engineering. I regularly volunteer to talk at schools and we offer summer placements to students. This year we are planning to provide financial support to young students so they can pursue STEM studies.

The main lesson I share with women and girls is that if I can do it, they can too. I also tell them some of our best engineers at Atmos are women. What prevents girls from studying STEM subjects isn’t their ability, but their belief in themselves. If you give it a go, you will find that STEM is really interesting and you can be very good at it.

3. Driving Innovation in Pipeline Technology

Atmos International is renowned for its cutting-edge solutions, from leak detection to AI-based optimization. How do you envision these technologies shaping the future of the pipeline industry, and how can women contribute to driving such innovations forward?

The pipeline industry is facing a lot of challenges particularly with respect to environmental concerns. We need all the cutting-edge technologies in order to achieve Net Zero while meeting the demands of transporting energy, water and other fluids cross millions of kilometers continuously. With Internet of Things (IOT) and cloud computing, we can detect leaks quickly and locate them accurately. With artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) we can optimize gas network operations to minimize environmental impact. With accurate simulation software we can provide real-time distribution of calorific values of the combined hydrogen, biomethane and natural gas in a network. All of us, both men and women, can drive these innovations forward to make pipelines sustainable.

4. The Importance of Representation

The Global Women in Pipeline event highlights the need for more female representation in the energy sector. What message do you hope to share during your Atmos workshop, and what advice would you give to organizations looking to attract and retain talented women?

During Atmos’ workshop, we plan to cover “Inclusive Leadership: Engaging Youth in the Pipeline Industry”.  We will start with some panel members sharing their personal experiences in the pipeline industry and the lessons they have learned, then we will have some discussions to address some realistic scenarios. It should give everyone some new perspectives on working with people of different ages, from different cultures and with different experience. I believe every organization can benefit from having more talented people and that applies to both men and women. It is, however, important to have a culture where everyone feels comfortable and engaged, otherwise you will lose talent.

5. Empowering Women in Leadership

Over the past 30 years, you’ve grown Atmos into a truly global company. What leadership qualities do you believe are essential for women to thrive in this sector, and how can female leaders inspire change in traditionally male-dominated industries?

I think a key leadership quality is to be able to learn and adapt quickly and I have been learning every day for the past 30 years. To be resilient, it is important to be positive and optimistic. As the company grows, I think it is also critical to trust my colleagues to do a good job. Caring about people and their development and wellbeing is always my top priority. Being passionate about technology and providing solutions to our customers’ problems are also essential. Finally, having a long-term vision helps everyone focus on the right tasks and overcome some short-term setbacks.

Personally I have seen a lot of positive changes in the industries I work with. We can continue to change by having a lot more of us working together, again both men and women. We have some great male leaders who have mentored and promoted females in our industry. Let’s make sure they carry on doing it.

6. Shaping the Future for Women in Pipelines

Looking ahead, what do you see as the greatest opportunities and challenges for women in the pipeline sector, and how can initiatives like the Global Women in Pipeline event make a tangible difference?

I think there are a lot of opportunities available to women in technology, pipeline infrastructure, pipeline operations and management. The Global Women in Pipeline event is a great place for women to be inspired and build confidence in their career. It is also good for networking and supporting each other, so well done ptc for organizing the event.