Paola Martinez Villarreal
Paola Martinez Villarreal is a petroleum engineer with over 16 years of experience in the energy industry, currently serving as a Technical Account Lead Manager for Rockies and California at SLB. In this role, she leads multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting artificial lift operations, particularly Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) systems, across key U.S. oil and gas assets. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University, combining strong technical expertise with business and leadership training.
Throughout her career, she has built deep specialization in artificial lift design, production optimization, and oilfield operations. She has held progressive roles including Field Engineer, Artificial Lift Engineer, Customer Engagement Coordinator, and Artificial Lift Domain Associate. Her work has spanned field operations in Latin America and technical and customer-facing roles in the United States, where she has supported complex well environments, conducted failure analysis, and contributed to ESP design and deployment strategies for conventional and unconventional reservoirs.
In her current leadership position, she acts as a key technical interface between SLB and major customers, ensuring effective service delivery, operational performance, and alignment between engineering solutions and client needs. She also manages team development, resource planning, and continuous improvement initiatives while mentoring engineers at different career stages. She is actively involved in industry engagement through the Society of Petroleum Engineers, contributing to technical collaboration and knowledge sharing within the oil and gas sector.
• Customer Centricity - Foundation
• SLB Eureka Technical Career (SETC) - Senior II
• Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University - MBA
• Performed by SLB - Bronze Award 2025
• Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
• Artificial Lift Special Interest Group (SIG)
• Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
• Society of Petroleum Engineers
• United Way
• Society of Women Engineers
• SPE Artificial Lift Technical Section
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to applying the lessons and teachings I have learned from previous managers and consistently integrating those insights into how I lead and support my team.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received was to prioritize family first, recognizing that a strong personal foundation supports long-term professional success and overall well-being.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to intentionally build a strong support network that includes peers, friends, family, and trusted managers. Having a reliable circle of support makes it easier to navigate challenges, gain perspective on difficult situations, and stay resilient throughout different stages of your career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I have seen positive changes in my field over the years, particularly with more women entering the industry and contributing to its growth and evolution. However, there are still ongoing challenges that need to be addressed as the industry continues to develop and become more inclusive and equitable.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me in both my work and personal life include being active, engaged, and consistently leading by example. I believe in demonstrating the standards I expect from others through my own actions, maintaining accountability, and showing up with integrity and commitment in everything I do.
Locations
SLB
Cypress, TX 77429