At OnestopNDT, we are pleased to feature Mr. Riky Bernardo , a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the oil and gas industry. From his early beginnings at VICO Indonesia to key roles at ExxonMobil, Qatargas, and now as Principal Materials and Corrosion Engineer at Daleel Petroleum, his journey highlights deep expertise in asset integrity, surface engineering, and corrosion management. In this interview, Mr. Bernardo shares his career path, pivotal experiences, insights on evolving industry practices, and his vision for the future of corrosion engineering.
Mr. Bernardo, welcome to OnestopNDT. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Could you start by walking us through your professional journey—from your early beginnings at VICO Indonesia to your current role as Principal Materials and Corrosion Engineer at Daleel Petroleum?
I started my career in early 2000, a few months after graduating from the Chemical Engineering Department of Parahyangan Catholic University – Indonesia. Building on my internship experience with Virginia International Company (VICO), I entered the oil and gas industry directly, beginning at EonChemicals (seconded to Caltex Pacific Indonesia), and later moving to ConocoPhillips, RasGas LNG Company (ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum joint venture), Qatargas LNG Company, and most recently, Daleel Petroleum Company, where I have been for 3.5 years.
Over 25 years, I have primarily worked on surface engineering-related activities in multiple roles including Production Chemist, Field Operation Engineer, Chemical Program Engineer, Facilities Engineer, and Asset Integrity Programmatic Engineer. Since 2010, I have specialized in Materials and Corrosion Engineering.
Over two decades, you’ve held significant roles at ExxonMobil, Qatargas, and now Daleel Petroleum. Looking back, what pivotal moments or projects shaped your expertise in materials and corrosion engineering?
In 2006, ConocoPhillips Indonesia underwent reorganization. Engineers in the Asset Integrity Section were required to transition from specialized titles like Chemical Program Engineer, Asset Integrity Engineer, Inspection Engineer, and Metallurgist to a broader role as Material and Corrosion Engineers. During this period, knowledge exchange was crucial, supported by classroom and on-the-job training.
My next assignment in 2010 with RasGas LNG Company pushed me further to specialize in the field. As Senior Corrosion Engineer for three LNG process trains and one gas plant, I managed corrosion programs and tackled complex issues including material selection, chemical treatment, cathodic protection, and coating and painting. These experiences shaped my specialization and continue to guide my work today.
Your career has been deeply rooted in the oil and gas industry. How have you seen the approach to corrosion management evolve in upstream operations over the years?
Over 25 years, I have observed consistent improvement in corrosion management. There has been significant progress in data recording, storage, and preservation. Preventive and proactive measures have increasingly replaced reactive approaches. Advanced technology now automates many inspection and monitoring activities that were once manual. In the last five years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has dominated the market, reducing dependency on human intervention.
During your time at ExxonMobil RasGas and Qatargas, what were some of the most challenging corrosion-related issues you encountered, and how did you approach solving them?
Two of the most challenging corrosion-related issues I encountered at RasGas and Qatargas were chloride-induced corrosion cracking of off-gas compressor fin-fan cooler pipes made from Austenitic Stainless Steel 316 (UNS S31603) and top-of-line vapor-phase acidic corrosion of carbon steel tri-ethylene glycol horizontal regenerator reboilers.
To resolve these issues, detailed investigations and comprehensive studies were conducted. A special team comprising experts from Production, Maintenance, multi-discipline Engineering, and original equipment manufacturers was formed. Solutions included material upgrades, mechanical design modifications, improvements in welding and heat treatment techniques, and rigorous process fluid monitoring programs.
In your current role at Daleel Petroleum, what are the key priorities when it comes to ensuring asset integrity and minimizing corrosion risks in day-to-day operations?
At Daleel Petroleum, the top asset integrity priorities are eliminating high- and medium-risk incidents and minimizing low-risk incidents caused by corrosion. To achieve this, the company applies continuous improvement principles across design, operation, and maintenance.
Proper design is ensured through careful material selection that considers both normal and upset conditions throughout all operational phases. Proper operation is maintained by continuous surveillance, monitoring, and compliance audits to ensure activities align with established guidelines and Integrity Operating Windows (IOW). Proper maintenance is achieved through diligent work that involves systematic investigation, verification of past and current maintenance programs, and adoption of new maintenance technologies available in the market.
You’ve worked across Indonesia, Qatar, and Oman. How do environmental and operational conditions influence corrosion challenges in each region?
Both geographical and demographic factors directly affect environmental and operational conditions, which in turn greatly influence corrosion characteristics.
For instance, the persistently high humidity and heavy rainfall in Indonesia’s tropical climate make soil more corrosive compared to the arid and dry desert conditions of the Middle East. This makes soil-side corrosion of buried structures more challenging in Indonesia. Conversely, the high ambient temperatures in the Middle Eastern desert, especially during summer, pose a serious threat to heat-sensitive damage mechanisms like external pitting or crevice corrosion of corrosion-resistant alloys—challenges less severe in tropical regions.
Other factors such as reservoir characteristics, fluid composition, topography, and even human population behavior also play vital roles, making each region’s corrosion challenges unique.
Many NDT methods are applied in corrosion monitoring and inspection. From your perspective, how important is NDT in supporting long-term asset integrity strategies?
The key advantage of NDT inspection over corrosion monitoring lies in its “to-the-point” results. While corrosion monitoring relies on direct and indirect methods, it generally does not measure material or equipment condition directly but instead analyzes environmental corrosivity and predicts outcomes.
Though NDT inspections often require more effort and are costlier, they can be conducted at longer intervals than corrosion monitoring. However, integrating corrosion monitoring data with NDT helps overcome these limitations. Together, they provide strong, reliable information that supports long-term maintenance and asset integrity strategies.
The industry is witnessing increased adoption of digital technologies for corrosion monitoring and predictive maintenance. How do you see digital transformation impacting your field in the next five years?
Digital transformation will enhance the productivity of materials and corrosion engineers by improving decision-making capabilities and expanding opportunities for global collaboration. I foresee online, long-distance learning dominating the market, with fewer people relying on traditional training and meetings. Companies will likely reduce manpower for general or administrative roles. However, due to the need for tailored solutions to specific cases, the demand for material and corrosion experts will remain strong.
You’ll be speaking at OMCORR25. Could you give us a preview of the insights you plan to share at the event, and why such forums are crucial for knowledge exchange in the corrosion community?
At OMCORR25, I will be presenting a new idea for selecting valve body and trim using a risk-based approach. This enriches the traditional material selection concept by integrating consequence-based equipment criticality with probability assessments. The focus is on eliminating high- and medium-risk incidents while tolerating low-risk ones. Additionally, this approach balances techno-commercial considerations and capital-operational expenditures.
The event will feature over 90 technical presentations attended by thousands of professionals from around the globe. These forums enable direct, face-to-face knowledge sharing and multi-perspective dialogue among experts with diverse educational and industrial backgrounds. This method has proven effective in enhancing both individual performance and organizational outcomes.
Collaboration between operators, service providers, and inspection companies is key in addressing corrosion. What do you believe are the biggest gaps that need to be bridged today?
The biggest challenge in collaboration between operators, equipment manufacturers, and inspection companies is strategic misalignment. Each operating company manages assets differently, ranging along a spectrum from reactive to proactive approaches. Some companies are more open than others in sharing operational data, success stories, and lessons learned.
Meanwhile, equipment manufacturers rely heavily on real-world operational data to improve designs that often originate from theoretical or lab-based studies. Without this feedback, guidelines remain too theoretical and lack practical relevance. This misalignment leaves inspection companies confused and disoriented, unable to align their expertise effectively with industry needs.
With growing emphasis on sustainability and energy transition, how does corrosion engineering align with the industry’s push toward safer, more reliable, and environmentally responsible operations?
As materials and corrosion experts, we have a moral responsibility to support organizational commitments to sustainability and energy transition. This includes selecting both metallic and non-metallic materials wisely to minimize process leaks, moving toward non-intrusive monitoring and inspection techniques to reduce personnel exposure, and limiting destructive examinations to urgent cases only. Additionally, the use of environmentally friendly chemicals, such as green corrosion inhibitors and coatings, has become an important and growing focus in the industry.
On a personal note, what drives your passion for corrosion engineering after so many years in the field?
Corrosion engineering offers abundant opportunities for continuous learning and personal development. It remains a dynamic and evolving field, with new breakthroughs and technologies emerging regularly. The scope is both deep and wide, providing ample room for specialization. Despite continuous learning, advancements often outpace our ability to master them, keeping the field both challenging and exciting. At the same time, industry awareness of the importance of corrosion management is increasing, ensuring a strong global demand for materials and corrosion professionals in the future.
Finally, Mr. Bernardo, as a seasoned professional in materials and corrosion engineering, how do you view platforms like OnestopNDT? Do you see them as valuable in connecting professionals, sharing practical insights, and keeping pace with the latest advancements in inspection and integrity management?
OnestopNDT is an extremely valuable platform for professionals. It provides up-to-date insights for operators, equipment manufacturers, and service providers, while also offering students and researchers a holistic view of the entire materials and corrosion engineering chain. Its role in supporting inspection and monitoring practices makes it a powerful tool for knowledge sharing and professional growth.
Thank you, Mr. Bernardo, for sharing your journey and insights with us. Your extensive experience and vision for corrosion engineering will inspire and guide professionals across the industry.
