In the high-stakes world of oil and gas, where safety and efficiency go hand in hand, ensuring the integrity of pressure equipment is a critical task. Whether in offshore platforms, refineries, or large-scale industrial plants, pressure vessel and pipeline failures can result in catastrophic losses—both human and financial. Behind the scenes, professionals like Kehinde (Kenny) Afolabi, a seasoned Pressure Equipment Inspector, work tirelessly to prevent such risks.

With over a decade of experience in welding, non-destructive examination (NDE), and asset integrity management, Afolabi has played a key role in maintaining the safety and performance of industrial assets. He was part of the Total E&P Nigeria JV’s commissioning team for the Egina FPSO project, one of Nigeria’s most significant deepwater oil projects. His role involved verifying the safety and reliability of pressure vessels, piping systems, and mooring devices, ensuring compliance with API, ASME, AWS, CSA, and other industry standards.

“Pressure equipment safety is not just about compliance; it’s about protecting lives and investments,” Afolabi explains. “A single failure can halt production, cause environmental damage, and even lead to fatalities. That’s why meticulous inspection and proactive maintenance are critical. When a facility shuts down because of an equipment failure, the cost isn’t just in repairs—it’s in lost production, lost revenue, and, in worst-case scenarios, lives put at risk. It is my job to ensure that never happens.”

Pressure equipment, including vessels, piping, heat exchangers, and tanks, operates under extreme conditions in oil refineries and industrial plants. Over time, these assets experience wear due to corrosion, mechanical stress, and high operating temperatures. If left unchecked, small defects can escalate into major failures, leading to leaks, explosions, or operational shutdowns. Afolabi’s work on the Egina FPSO project included material verification, thickness inspections, and structural integrity assessments of various topside components. By identifying early signs of degradation and recommending preemptive repairs, he ensured that the equipment met the strict operational standards required for offshore oil extraction.

His expertise in welding inspection, corrosion management, and NDT techniques such as Radiographic Testing (RT), Ultrasonic Testing (UT), and Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) enabled him to detect defects before they became safety hazards. “In this industry, we don’t wait for failure to tell us something is wrong. We anticipate failure, we find weaknesses before they become threats, and we reinforce infrastructure so that it can withstand years of operation. Every weld, every pipe, every pressure vessel must be scrutinized because even a minor oversight can lead to disaster. That level of diligence is what keeps operations running smoothly and safely.”

In addition to offshore oil and gas projects, Afolabi contributed to the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, where he served as QA/QC Supervisor. His responsibilities included overseeing the fabrication and welding of 20,000MT ammonia storage tanks, ensuring that materials and welding techniques met stringent safety standards. These massive storage tanks, designed to hold hazardous chemicals, required a high level of precision in weld inspections, pressure testing, and corrosion prevention.

“A failure in one of these tanks would be catastrophic,” Afolabi notes. “Our role as inspectors is to ensure that the infrastructure is built to last, preventing potential hazards that could endanger lives and disrupt operations. When you inspect a vessel, you’re not just looking at steel; you’re looking at a structure that holds immense pressure and potentially hazardous substances. You have to ask yourself, is this built to withstand the worst-case scenario?”

As industrial operations evolve, the field of pressure equipment inspection has moved beyond traditional visual inspections to incorporate advanced NDE techniques. Afolabi, who holds certifications in API 510 (Pressure Vessel Inspection), API 570 (Piping Inspection), AWS- CWI, and CWB Level 2, is a strong advocate for modern asset integrity strategies.

“Inspection is no longer just about identifying visible defects; it’s about predictive maintenance,” he explains. “With AI-driven monitoring systems, ultrasonic phased array testing, and infrared thermography, we can now detect flaws in their earliest stages and mitigate risks before they escalate. The more technology we incorporate into inspections, the better we get at preventing failures before they even happen. That’s the direction the industry needs to go.”

The importance of quality assurance (QA) and risk-based inspection (RBI) strategies has become even more apparent in industries such as power generation, fertilizer plants, and heavy manufacturing, where downtime due to equipment failure can result in millions of dollars in losses. By integrating digital inspection techniques, AI-assisted corrosion monitoring, and real-time data analytics, companies can significantly reduce risks and improve overall efficiency.

As Nigeria and other oil-producing nations strive for sustainable energy growth, the role of pressure equipment inspectors and QA professionals has become more crucial than ever. The country’s energy sector is expanding rapidly, but the need for strict compliance with safety standards, continuous training, and investment in inspection technologies remains critical.

Afolabi believes that Nigeria must continue to invest in local expertise and training programs to ensure that inspection standards remain on par with international best practices. He advocates for stronger enforcement of safety regulations and increased awareness of risk-based maintenance strategies.

“Industries must stop viewing inspections as an expense and start seeing them as an investment,” he says. “By prioritizing safety, we not only protect infrastructure and lives but also improve efficiency, attract foreign investment, and build a more resilient energy sector. Companies that cut corners eventually pay the price, whether through costly shutdowns, environmental disasters, or reputational damage. It’s time for industry leaders to take asset integrity more seriously.”

Beyond the technical aspects of inspection, mentorship and knowledge transfer play a key role in sustaining industrial growth. Afolabi has mentored junior inspectors and engineers, sharing his knowledge and emphasizing the importance of attention to detail, adherence to standards, and proactive safety management.

“I’ve been fortunate to work on some of the most important industrial projects in Nigeria, and I take it upon myself to ensure that the next generation of inspectors understands the weight of this responsibility. It’s not just about getting a certificate or knowing how to read an X-ray of a weld—it’s about truly understanding the risks involved and having the discipline to do the job the right way every time. The industry needs professionals who take pride in their work because every inspection we conduct has real-world consequences.”

While the general public may not always recognize the work of pressure equipment inspectors, their contributions are vital in ensuring that industries operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with global standards. The oil and gas sector, in particular, relies heavily on rigorous inspection and maintenance programs to prevent accidents and environmental disasters.

Professionals like Kehinde (Kenny) Afolabi represent the backbone of this industry. Their expertise in welding, corrosion management, and non-destructive examination ensures that industrial assets remain safe, reliable, and operational for years to come. As technology advances and the global energy landscape shifts, the role of quality assurance in industrial safety will continue to grow—making it one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of engineering and infrastructure development.