Upon Further Inspection

In this episode of Upon Further Inspection, Branden and Greg sit down with Melanie Brewer, MI Authority at Third Coast and a 20-plus-year veteran of the mechanical integrity space. Melanie traces her unexpected path from aspiring aerospace engineer — inspired by the NASA programs of the 1980s — to chemical engineering at the University of Dayton, where a co-op program gave her real-world exposure...

We welcome Terry McLane, a veteran inspector with deep roots in refining, back to the podcast for part 2 of our discussion. In this candid conversation, the guys cover the full spectrum of mechanical integrity (MI) from technology to program fundamentals to the realities of field work.  Terry weighs in on where tools like guided wave and acoustic emission fall short, and why drones, robotics, phas...

In this episode, we sit down with Terry McLane, a veteran refinery inspector with over 44 years of experience. Terry shares his journey from a plumbing and pipefitting apprentice into refinery maintenance contractor, and ultimately into a full-time career as an inspector. Terry speaks to the value of professional certifications and reflects on his 15 years contributing to API's Individual Cer...

Chad Patschke is back on the podcast to discuss the toughest damage mechanisms in refining and chemical industries. Based on his years of process safety expertise, he emphasizes that the toughest damage mechanisms offer very little warning like HTHA, corrosion under insulation (CUI), and buried piping/soil-to-air interfaces. There are many pros and cons of using drones, robotics, and artificial in...

“Office of the Week” guy, Chad Patschke, joins the hosts of Upon Further Inspection to share stories and insights from his 30+ year career in process safety and mechanical integrity (MI). Starting in 1992 with early Process Safety Management (PSM) rollout as a plant engineer, Chad discusses how the industry has shifted from a “bare minimum compliance” philosophy to valuing robust MI programs.  He...

Upon Further Inspection welcomes Mark Bell back to the podcast with Part 2 of our discussion where he shares stories and insights from his decades of inspection and mechanical integrity experience.  As a member of the API/AFPM site assessment program, he has performed assessments and PSM audits across many companies. He highlights gaps he sees in smaller facilities: limited adoption of CCDs, IOWs,...

In this episode we welcome Mark Bell, a semi-retired fixed equipment consultant to the podcast. The animated discussion between Greg, Branden, and Mark provide a practical, experience-based look at how great inspectors are developed and how inspection quality is improved over time. Mark’s key takeaway is that effective mechanical integrity depends less on “having certifications” or flashy NDE outp...

In part 2 of our conversation with Brent Ray, we take a deeper look at his extensive work with industry codes and standards through API, ASME, and NBIC. Brent reflects on how reviewing a marked up draft of API 571 in 2003 helped launch a path that later included chairing API 581, API 580, the Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity, and the API Inspection Summit. Throughout the discuss...

In part 1 of our interview with Brent Ray, Fixed Equipment & Mechanical Integrity Specialist at Marathon Petroleum, we explore the experiences and influences that helped shape his engineering perspective. After opening with a pair of gripping spelunking stories, Brent traces a career path guided by curiosity and opportunity—from studying materials science and chemical engineering to supervisin...

In this episode of Upon Further Inspection, we explore the most common missteps and best practices in RBI implementation, examining what separates programs that deliver lasting value from those that fall short. The discussion highlights the importance of defining clear goals before selecting technology, building a culture where risk-based language is spoken at every level of the organization, and...

In part 1 of our interview with Lionel Roberts, he reflects on his early career at Canadian refineries, where limited resources and mentorship pushed him to think creatively and build a strong professional network. The conversation delves into Lionel's experiences at independent refineries without access to major company resources, highlighting how he leveraged industry organizations like NAC...

In this episode of Upon Further Inspection, we explore the challenges and best practices for optimizing enterprise asset management systems while maintaining high availability and safety performance. The discussion highlights the importance of designing digital frameworks around organizational needs, supported by strong processes such as RBI, root cause analysis, and MOC programs, along with clear...

In the 20th episode, we mark a significant milestone, reflecting on our past guests and their diverse insights. We express gratitude to our guests and their employers for the invaluable conversations that have helped broaden the podcast’s scope, including Andri Orphanides, John Reynolds, Lynne Kaley, Bobby Wright, Clay White, and Alexander Gonzalez. We highlight the importance of networking, commu...

In part 2 of our interview with Alex Gonzalez, we dive into the challenges and opportunities of implementing mechanical integrity programs in modern facilities. Alex shares his experiences rolling out RBI and inspection management platforms across an enterprise, discussing the critical importance of breaking down organizational silos and securing executive buy-in for successful implementation. The...

In part 1 of our interview, we welcome Alex Gonzalez, an asset performance management specialist with extensive experience in the mechanical integrity field. Alex traces his career from his studies in materials engineering and metallurgy in Venezuela through his current work in Canada's oil and gas sector. The discussion covers his focus on corrosion science, the role political circumstances...

Part 2 of our interview with Bill Valerioti, a semi-retired petrochemicals and chemical industry SME, is now available!  We dive right in with an interesting comparison between the chemical and refining industries. Bill draws on his extensive experience to emphasize the abundance of information available in refining compared to the more secretive nature of chemical manufacturing. Bill also contras...

We have a deep dive into materials engineering and corrosion this time around!  In part 1 of our interview, we welcome Bill Valerioti, a semi-retired petrochemicals and chemical industry SME. From his early days in chemical engineering to finding his passion for materials engineering and corrosion – Bill shares insight into his passion for materials failure analysis, mechanical integrity, and chem...

We’re excited to welcome Clay White to the podcast! In this episode, Clay shares personal experiences and incidents that fueled his dedication to improving industry safety standards. He reflects on historical events, including the polypropylene reactor leak, and how these shaped his approach to safety. The conversation explores challenges in data management, the critical role of Damage Mechanism R...

Welcome to the world of mechanical integrity! In part 1 of our interview, we welcome Clay White to the podcast.  Take a listen as Clay takes us through his career journey, from earning a welding and metallurgy degree to becoming a recognized expert in mechanical integrity, corrosion, and materials engineering – including his contributions to API 581. Our discussion explores the evolution of Risk-B...

In Episode 13, we are pleased to welcome industry veteran Bobby Wright to the podcast!  From his beginnings working summers on an assembly line in Arkansas to becoming a business strategist and mentor, Bobby shares the valuable lessons learned and experiences that shaped his path. He discusses pivotal moments, including his roles at refineries and handling emergencies, like tornadoes. Key highligh...

Part 2 of our interview with Lynne Kaley is now live. In episode 12, ‘We’re Over-Inspecting’, we welcome risk-based inspection (RBI) expert, Lynne Kaley back to the show.  Listen now and hear more about our small yet incredibly interconnected world of mechanical integrity professionals. Branden, Greg, and Lynne discuss the significant shift in the mechanical integrity industry over the years and h...

In episode 11, 'Startups & New Developments’, we welcome risk-based inspection (RBI) expert, Lynne Kaley to the show. Listen now and hear more about our small yet incredibly interconnected world of mechanical integrity professionals. In part 1 of this two-part series, Lynne discusses her journey in the industry, starting from her early days at Amaco Oil and DNV to her contributions on the...

Here's a sneak peek of our conversation with Lynne Kaley. You will get a taste of our lively discussion, the shared camaraderie, and potentially learn something too.   Send a text & tell us what you think! Thank you for listening to Upon Further Inspection ! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.   We’d love to hear from you—connect wit...

In episode 10, ‘Brilliant Whiz Kid,' Branden and Greg continue their conversation with industry legend John Reynolds. Join us as we look to the future of mechanical integrity and the integration of artificial intelligence.  In the final part of this three-part series, listen to an in-depth discussion that starts with the application of artificial intelligence in fixed equipment mechanical int...

In episode nine, 'RBI Was the Way of the Future,' Branden and Greg continue their conversation with industry legend John Reynolds. Join us and hear about the evolution of mechanical integrity practices through John’s shared experiences and expertise.  In part two of this three-part series, the discussion traces the history of risk-based inspection (RBI), detailing its evolution from the...