From Academia to Industry: Ronald’s Journey into Pipeline Integrity Excellence

Ronald Diaz, Senior Integrity Engineer, will present at the Pipeline Technology Conference in Berlin, Germany this month, diving into the complexities of exceedance probability modelling in pipeline integrity. Based in Bogota, Colombia, a life-long fascination with mathematics has driven Ronald to pursue a career where data and attention to detail are crucial for the safe operations of energy infrastructure. 

Early Foundations: A Passion for Mathematics and Engineering

My interest in engineering stems from my childhood fascination with technology and physics. No one in my family has an engineering background, but my parents’ house was always filled with books on a wide range of subjects, from poetry to technology. I sat a mechanical engineering degree at the National University of Colombia, and that’s where I discovered a real passion for the the critical impact of mechanical engineering on preventing industrial disasters. The intricacies of structural safety and the operational continuity of complex systems was fascinating to me.

At the request of the programme director at the time, I got a job working at the university after graduation, initially working as a teaching assistant before becoming a lecturer in foundational courses in mechanical physics (statics, strength of materials, mechanics of materials) and some subjects now considered old sciences, such as drafting and descriptive geometry.

I then entered the energy industry where I gained experience through maintenance and design roles before finding a specialisation in pipeline and asset integrity.

As a Senior Integrity Engineer, my role at Penspen involves providing expert consultancy in pipeline integrity management for major energy transport systems. I am responsible for evaluating operating conditions and conducting specialised assessments, such as Fitness for Service (FFS) and crack analysis.

Building Expertise in Pipeline Integrity

Penspen is the ideal environment to contribute to complex safety challenges while growing within a company that is at the forefront of the energy industry. The company is known for its global leadership in integrity engineering and its reputation for technical excellence is strong, so it’s a great place for me to play a part in high-impact international projects.

The company has a great culture for innovation – we’re doing some really interesting work in the development of artificial intelligence models for integrity decision-making, trained on the vast global experience Penspen has gathered across international systems. My vision is to structure bespoke, high-level solutions for our clients, ensuring that advanced technology and predictive modelling drive the future of infrastructure safety

My initial love of mathematics has put me in good stead for my career – I find it so rewarding to use advanced mathematics to solve real-life complex engineering challenges and prevent structural failures. A key part of my work now includes developing advanced applications to optimise integrity data analysis, ensuring that asset safety and risk management plans are based on precise, high-level technical modelling.

I’m really proud of the specialised simulators and methodologies that I’ve developed in my career that transform mathematical modelling into actionable safety strategies. Being able to use applied mathematics to protect both infrastructure and the environment is the achievement I value most in my career.

Life Beyond Engineering: Science at Home

Outside of work, my life is centred on my family; I am a dedicated husband and father, and I always strive to ensure that my professional growth provides a solid foundation for my home.

Science plays a big role in my personal life too. In my free time, I am a passionate homebrewer, enjoying the chemistry and precision of crafting my own beer. I am also an avid gamer, which helps me stay sharp and unwind after a day of complex technical analysis.

Engineering Responsibility in a Changing Energy Landscape

A career in engineering means you never stop learning. Yes, you should build a solid technical foundation in fundamental subjects like statics and mechanics, as they are the pillars of everything we do. But beyond the technical side, you must cultivate a high level of responsibility and an analytical mindset toward risk—integrity is more than just numbers; it is about the safety of people and the environment.

I recently completed a Master’s Degree in Disaster Risk and Development and I’m excited to leverage that knowledge to enhance our integrity strategies. This field requires constant updating on international standards and a willingness to embrace new technologies. I also continue to teach extension courses with the university’s alumni associations, in particular on industrial piping and liquid transport pipelines.

The energy industry is undergoing significant change with ageing infrastructure and the introduction of future fuels, so I feel that my work managing operational risks for major infrastructure has never been more important.

• Ronald Diaz will present at the Pipeline Technology Conference 2026 in Berlin, Germany. Penspen will be represented at stand D3 – find out more about our full programme of technical presentations, innovation forum sessions and demonstrations here: Pipeline Technology Conference 2026 – Penspen