In this exclusive OnestopNDT interview, we sit down with Mr. Emmanuel Marcus, Head of Materials, Corrosion & Integrity at Muscat Engineering Consultancy. With an impressive career spanning over two decades across leading organizations such as PDO, WorleyParsons, AMEC, and DNV GL, Mr. Emmanuel shares insights into his journey, leadership approach, and the evolving landscape of materials and corrosion engineering.
Mr. Emmanuel, welcome to OnestopNDT. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Could you begin by introducing yourself to our readers and share a glimpse of your professional journey from your early engineering days to your current leadership role as Head of Materials, Corrosion & Integrity at Muscat Engineering Consultancy?
My name is Emmanuel Marcus, currently working as Head – Materials, Corrosion & Integrity at Muscat Engineering Consultancy. After obtaining my Bachelor of Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, I followed up with a Master’s in Materials for Engineering Applications from the University of Surrey, UK. I further capped it with an MBA from the University of Warwick, UK.
I started my career working at Agip Nigeria Plc before moving to NETCO, Lagos, and later ventured into the Christmas tree manufacturing business with Vectogray, Aberdeen (now GE Oil & Gas) as a Materials Engineer. Looking for more challenges, I moved to GL Nobel Denton (now DNV), a consultancy in Aberdeen, and worked on various international projects. I then joined AMEC, Aberdeen as the Lead Materials Engineer/Technical Authority covering all the assets of British Gas (BG) in the North Sea. It was there I honed my skills as a technical authority in the field within the company and the industry.
The desire to expand my horizon saw me accepting a role as a Senior Materials & Corrosion Consultant to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) through Worley, Oman. This role was to deliver the FEED on some of the largest, most complex, and high-value projects in Oman. I eventually joined PDO and helped deliver on other projects while also developing local talent. After 8 years at PDO, I moved to Muscat Engineering Consultancy (formerly Bilfinger Tebodin), managing the Materials, Corrosion & Integrity department and serving as Technical Authority 1 (DA1).
I have had a varied career and am privileged to have worked in the downstream, upstream, subsea, engineering design, and consultancy sectors of the oil and gas industry.
I am a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (FIMMM), UK, a Fellow of the Institute of Corrosion (FICorr), UK, as well as an AMPP Corrosion Specialist.
You have held senior positions across leading organizations such as PDO, WorleyParsons, AMEC, and DNV GL. What inspired you to specialize in materials and corrosion engineering, and how has your passion for this field evolved over time?
Interestingly, I was offered a place to study Chemical Engineering at undergraduate level. It was a very popular course at that time. However, I felt I should not go with the crowd but pursue a specialized niche discipline, so I changed my subject to Metallurgical Engineering at the point of registration. Over the years, my passion grew—especially when I realized the discipline has a nexus with so many other engineering fields. The field is vast with many avenues of specialization.
Looking back, what were some of the major challenges you encountered early in your career, and how did those experiences shape your approach to technical excellence and leadership?
One of the main challenges I encountered in the early years of my career in materials, corrosion, and integrity was the non-recognition of the course as a standalone discipline. It was generally classified under Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering in various academic institutions. This deprived many applicants of opportunities for jobs, grants, or scholarships within the industry. Availability of experienced mentors who could give adequate guidance and support was also missing.
This has greatly shaped my perspective over the years and propelled me to mentor graduates and young engineers in every company I have worked in. Furthermore, I am involved in assessing potential chartered engineers with the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining, UK, and have held various committee positions in the Institute of Corrosion, UK. The goal is to ensure those coming behind grow and do better than yourself.
Over the years, your role has expanded from technical engineering into leadership and technical authority. How would you describe your leadership style today, and what lessons have you found most valuable in guiding teams through complex projects?
I would say my leadership style is leading from the front by example. People follow what they see more than what they hear. Secondly, I believe as a leader your team should have absolute trust in you to support and see them through—and vice versa, I should trust those I lead. I tend to empower my team and allow them to take ownership of any task assigned. Thirdly, I always look to create an open and inclusive team where ideas and issues can be shared freely.
With your vast global experience across Oman, the UK, and beyond, could you share a particularly challenging project you worked on and how you and your team successfully navigated it?
The day-to-day challenge for a Materials, Corrosion & Integrity engineer is looking at the big picture and balancing quality, cost, and schedule. I remember working on the Everest East Expansion project for BG in the North Sea. We had defective bolting that had already failed on another client’s platform. The project would be seriously delayed if we were to start qualification of a new vendor. Balancing the three factors, I decided to keep the same bolting vendor (against the advice of some management staff) but to take them through a second round of qualification audits.
Within three months, we had screened and inspected all bolts supplied, audited three global bolting manufacturing sites, and implemented a rigorous inspection regime along with written bolting specifications for subsequent supplies. The project was delivered on time without any delay due to defective bolting.
While this was ongoing, I was also implementing a new suite of BG Materials Specifications (16 Nos), developed on this project as a pilot. The key to achieving these targets was positive, in-person engagement with all stakeholders—vendors, manufacturing plants, inspectors, and testing labs—ensuring everyone understood requirements, timelines, and deliverables. Communication is key if you want absolute results on any project.
The petroleum and energy sectors rely heavily on asset reliability. How critical do you believe Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is in ensuring asset integrity, and what implications does it have on extending asset life and improving operational safety?
NDT is very critical in asset integrity management as it offers a more proactive approach compared to being reactive. The use of automated/online real-time NDT techniques will greatly reduce operating costs by minimizing shutdown/turnaround times and extending the lifespan of aging assets. Anticipated failures can be mitigated ahead of time, thereby reducing process safety incidents.
As a recognized industry professional and now a speaker at OMCORR25, what is your vision for the event, and how do you see it contributing to advancing global collaboration and innovation in corrosion and materials management?
I see this event being even better than the 2024 edition. This is evident in the collaborations with various organizations and the strong focus on AI. In the long term, I see this as a precursor to eventually having a full AMPP conference in the region.
How important are platforms like OMCORR25 in driving industry knowledge-sharing, networking, and fostering the next generation of professionals in this field?
This cannot be overemphasized. The industry will only grow when various stakeholders are able to share experiences and ideas, which bring about continuous improvement. OMCORR provides this platform.
You’ve spent nearly two decades working at the intersection of materials, corrosion, and integrity. How do you see the role of new technologies, digitalization, and advanced inspection methods shaping the future of this discipline?
With digitalization and new technologies, I see reduced risks and incidents in the industry as a proactive approach is increasingly undertaken. I see quicker turnaround times in delivery, leading to lower CAPEX/OPEX. However, I also see less human intervention, meaning fewer personnel in the field. This requires everyone to re-educate themselves with new technology to remain relevant.
Outside of your professional life, what hobbies or personal interests do you pursue? Are there any passions that might surprise our audience or offer a glimpse into a different side of your personality?
I love basketball and play occasionally. I enjoy traveling as it teaches me more about the world, its people, and their cultures. I also mentor several young professionals around me. Finally, I hold my faith strong, which guides my perspective in life.
Finally, Mr. Emmanuel, as an NDT Application Professional, how do you view platforms like OnestopNDT? Do you find it a useful reference for knowledge-sharing, industry updates, and resources, and what are your thoughts on its role in supporting the wider NDT community?
I think these platforms are a great resource for the development of the industry. People can share their professional experiences, enabling stakeholders to identify the right person or company to approach for specific issues. I would say—good job OnestopNDT, and keep up the good work.
Mr. Emmanuel’s journey reflects a rare blend of technical expertise, leadership, and a passion for mentoring the next generation. His insights into asset integrity, NDT, and the future of corrosion management provide valuable guidance for professionals across the industry.
