Our People – Yureis

Latin America has emerged as a region of strategic importance in corrosion engineering due to its industrial structure, sectoral drivers, and rising investment in corrosion management. In Chile, more than 5,000km of oil and gas pipelines travel across the country, bringing vital energy resources to communities throughout the region. 

These pipelines traverse challenging terrain and climatic zones, elevating corrosion risk and driving demand for advanced corrosion engineering practices.

And that’s where Yureis Villasmil comes in. Building a career in corrosion and pipeline integrity that has taken her from Venezuela to Peru, Yureis joined Penspen as our first in-country integrity engineer in Chile. Hear from Yureis as she shares her passion for ensuring safe operation of assets in operationally and environmentally complex environments.

Building a Solid Technical Foundation

From a very early age, my father used to take me to his workplace in the ship sandblasting and painting sector in Venezuela, and it was in that environment that my curiosity for technical fields and the importance of protecting structures began to develop.

That early exposure shaped my interest in pursuing a career in disciplines where engineering has a direct impact on the safety and reliability of infrastructure. I chose to study Chemical Engineering as I believed it would allow me to apply my knowledge to failure prevention, people protection, and the operational continuity of critical systems. It was during my studies that I had my first exposure to the science of corrosion. I found it fascinating, and opted to continue my studies with a master’s degree, consolidating my career path in corrosion control and asset integrity.

I knew this was the right career for me when I began applying my knowledge in the field and fully understood the real impact that corrosion engineering has on asset safety and reliability. Seeing how technical analysis, combined with a solid understanding of corrosion mechanisms and their control, could prevent failures and protect people confirmed my decision to specialise in this field.

International Experience and Professional Growth

I began my professional career at a corrosion research centre, where I participated in a variety of projects for Venezuela’s national oil company, related to both internal corrosion, including the use of corrosion inhibitors and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) assessments, and external corrosion, through potential monitoring activities. This experience allowed me to build a solid technical foundation and gain practical insight into degradation mechanisms affecting critical assets.

I then had the opportunity to work in Peru for nearly 10 years, contributing to a range of projects focused on pipeline integrity and corrosion control. It was during this time that I  realized the value of developing a holistic perspective to integrity management – I could integrate technical analysis, engineering judgment, and risk management. I was proud to obtained NACE Senior Internal Corrosion Technologist certification, demonstrating my commitment to professional development.

In 2025, the opportunity join Penspen in Chile arose. I have always valued Penspen’s strong technical reputation and its commitment to applying international standards and best practices, delivering engineering solutions that have a real impact on the safety and reliability of assets. I saw an opportunity to bring my own experience in corrosion and pipeline integrity, while continuing to grow professionally within a globally recognised consultancy.

Today, my focus is on applying international standards and best practices within an industry context where safety, reliability, and sustainability are increasingly critical. Being part of Penspen’s growth in Chile is really exciting.

Making a Real Difference

In my role as an Integrity Engineer, my work focuses on analysing integrity, inspection, and maintenance data, both from office-based studies and on-site support, to help identify risks and support informed decision-making.

I work closely with clients during the implementation of integrity management systems, to review technical information and contribute to the development of procedures and best practices. The most rewarding part of my role is feeling that my work has a real impact. Knowing that, through engineering, I can help prevent failures, protect people, and safeguard critical infrastructure is deeply motivating for me. I really value that connection with the field and the collaborative work with teams and clients, where technical analysis is transformed into decisions that make a tangible difference. It gives my work purpose.

Appreciating the Andean Landscapes

Being in based in Chile provides lots of opportunities. Outside of work, a walk along the beach is one of my favorite ways to disconnect and reflect. The ocean is my favorite place in the world and spending time there helps me return to my work with renewed balance and perspective.

I really value activities that help me slow down and recharge –  my ideal weekend looks like a movie night at home with my husband and our two children, spending quality time together and sharing simple moments. I have instilled my love of travelling in my family too. We love discovering new places, creating memories, and experiencing different cultures together.

Advice for the Next Generation

That initial interest sparked by seeing my father work in the shipyard has evolved into a strong vocation for service and a sustained professional commitment, motivating me to deepen my studies, further specialize, and build a career focused on mitigating one of the most significant threats to industrial assets corrosion and ensuring their long-term integrity and reliability.

My advice would be to approach integrity engineering with curiosity, commitment, and a strong sense of responsibility. This field goes beyond technical knowledge, as engineering decisions directly impact safety, the environment, and asset reliability. Building a solid technical foundation, gain hands-on field experience, and maintain a mindset of continuous learning. Each project, challenge, and country I have worked in has strengthened my vocation and commitment to this specialty.

Integrity engineering is ultimately about prevention and long-term thinking. Knowing that your work helps protect critical infrastructure makes it a highly rewarding career.