Susan Gou: From a small village to a global success

By Enrico Sacchetti

In a world where perseverance and passion for challenges define success, Xinjun (Susan) Gou stands out as a shining example.

Born in a small village in Hebei province, about 300 kilometers south of Beijing, Susan's journey from her rural roots to becoming a staff completion engineer at ConocoPhillips China is nothing short of inspiring.

Raised in a humble village, Susan's upbringing was deeply influenced by the principles her father, a high-school teacher, imparted to her and her four siblings.

"Life will reward you someday if you try your best," he often reminded them. His teachings on integrity, resilience, and the value of continuous learning have become the cornerstones of Susan's professional journey.

These convictions drove her enthusiasm for tackling challenging tasks, whether it was resolving intricate engineering issues or exploring new areas in the oil and gas sector.

"When faced with something new or unfamiliar, I embrace it with excitement and push myself to learn," she said.

Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry

Susan's journey into the oil industry wasn't by chance. She pursued a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering followed by a master's degree in reservoir development.

"The field's combination of practical problem-solving and innovative design has always fascinated me," she said.

After earning her master's degree, Susan chose to work at BJ Services, an international service firm, instead of the national oil companies like many of her peers. This decision was crucial for her career. Despite the challenges of often being the only woman at remote rig sites, Susan remained determined.

"I felt like a sponge, absorbing knowledge rapidly."

Her approach, which involved being authentic, treating everyone with respect and possessing strong technical expertise, helped her overcome challenges and earn the respect of colleagues and clients.

Susan discusses a project with Drilling Engineer Lily Liao.

An inspirational ConocoPhillips career

After six years with BJ Services, Susan pursued a role in operations at a major international oil company. Her opportunity arrived in 2008 when she joined ConocoPhillips China (COPC) in Beijing, drawn by its diverse and inclusive culture.

Six years later, she moved to the Global Wells team in Houston, collaborating with experts on international projects to enhance her technical skills and broaden her perspective.

Back in Beijing in 2016, Susan analyzed well performance and collaborated with ConocoPhillips' Chinese partners to boost efficiency with new operational processes. Throughout her 16-year career with ConocoPhillips, she has significantly contributed to various projects, sharpening her skills and establishing robust partnerships.

"These experiences allowed me to not only grow technically but also influence our partners positively," she said.

Susan's work has been widely recognized with numerous accolades, including a SPIRIT of Performance Award, a company award that recognizes outstanding performance by project teams and individuals. Her most cherished honor is the special award she received for leading the initial coil tubing stimulation campaign in Bohai Bay.

"It was my first year at COPC and I was involved throughout the operation, from pre-planning through well design, to offshore support and flow back fluid analysis with a local university."

Susan's career has been shaped by many mentors, including Henry Leigh at BJ Services, who recognized her potential and began recruiting more women engineers, and Eric Davis at ConocoPhillips, who praised her meticulous attention to detail and immediate contributions to critical operations.

Susan with young professionals during a Girls in STEMM gathering.

Balancing career, family and community

Despite her demanding career, Susan is a dedicated mother to her 11-year-old son. She believes in leading by example, both in her professional life and at home.

"Instead of just talking to my son about changing his behavior, I take action myself."

TOP: Susan and her son at a Beijing restaurant with a masked performer. BOTTOM: Susan volunteers as a school crossing guard.

To emphasize the importance of lifelong learning, Susan launched a family "exploring Beijing" project. Every weekend, they visit new places, experiencing adventures and making discoveries.

Susan volunteers at her son's school, participating in sporting events, a photography program and even serving as a crossing guard - a role she particularly enjoys because it helps ensure the children's safety.

She is also a strong advocate for encouraging young women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). She actively participates in the 'Girls in STEMM' program and is an alumna of the company's 'Asia Pacific Emerging Women Leadership' program, where she shares her experiences and inspires the next generation of female engineers.

For Susan, learning is a continuous journey. Despite her numerous accomplishments, she remains ambitious.

"I am always on the lookout for opportunities to expand my knowledge and expertise," she said. "I believe in embracing challenges that contribute to my professional growth and the advancement of ConocoPhillips."

Susan's story exemplifies her father's instruction that hard work pays off. She has shattered barriers, faced challenges, and made significant contributions throughout her career, leading by example in both her personal and professional life.

As Susan continues to look for new opportunities and inspire others, there's no doubt that her journey is far from over.

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