Margarita Vargas, PhD FIEAust
Managing Principal Consultant SUMMA Engineering
Profile
Dr Margarita Vargas has extensive technical and consulting experience in Materials and Mechanical Engineering, Corrosion, Engineering Failure Analysis and Asset Integrity inspections within the Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Water, and Infrastructure industries.
Dr Vargas is a subject matter expert in the field of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of steels, and has also researched extensively in the fields of mechanical and corrosion optimisation of light alloys and welding metallurgy, from which technical papers and presentations have been produced.
Through her various consulting and technical roles for the private industry, she has conducted root cause analysis of failures, identification of contentious issues for legal and insurance clients, and resolution of disputes by relaying informed and evidence-based recommendations and solutions to clients and key stakeholders.
She has also extensively conducted third-party asset integrity inspections, technical reviews, and auditing of assets.
Dr Vargas has managed NATA accredited mechanical and materials laboratories, as well as multidisciplinary Biocorrosion Research facilities.
Her strong knowledge and research background, in combination with her industry and commercial experience, have been instrumental in forming strong relationships with diverse technical and multidisciplinary teams within Industry, Academia and Research organisations.
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Professional Memberships
- Australasian Corrosion Association (ACA) Member Oil & Gas Technical Group
- The Institution of Engineers Australia- Professional Fellowship (FIEAust)
- Forensic Engineering Society of Australia (FESA) Member of National Committee
Publications
- M. Vargas, “Depassivation of Duplex Stainless Steels by Sulphate Reducing Bacteria”, Corrosion & Prevention, Australasian Corrosion Association, Melbourne, 2019
- M. Vargas, K. Kannoorpatti, V. Murthy, “Studies on the Corrosion Behaviour of Wear Resistant Hardfacing Alloys”, Corrosion & Prevention, Australasian Corrosion Association, Darwin, 2014
- M. Vargas, K. Kannoorpatti, “Corrosion of Marine Grade Aluminium Alloys in Tropical Natural Seawater”, Corrosion & Prevention, Australasian Corrosion Association, Brisbane, 2013
- M. Vargas and S. Lathabai, “Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Friction Stir Processed Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy”, Materials Science Forum, Vol 654-656, 2010
- S. Lathabai, M. Vargas, M. Larroque, C. Urbani, “The Influence of Processing Conditions on Hardness Homogeneity Evolution in Commercially Pure Cast Aluminium Processed by ECAP”. Materials Science Forum. Vols 654-656, 2010
- M. Vargas-Avila, R.K. Singh Raman, B.W. Cherry, C. Panter, and P. Farinha, “Electrochemical Tests of Duplex Stainless Steels in Simulated Marine Environments Containing Sulphate Reducing bacteria (SRB)”, Australasian Corrosion Conference 2006
- M. Vargas-Avila, R.K. Singh Raman, B.W. Cherry, C. Panter, P. Farinha and H. Videla, “Corrosion Behaviour of Duplex Stainless Steel 2205 in Marine Media Containing Sulfate-reducing Bacteria (SRB). A Laboratory Study", CORROSION 2009. Atlanta, Georgia. March 22 to 26, 2009
- M. Vargas-Avila, R.K. Singh Raman, B.W. Cherry, C. Panter, and P. Farinha, “Electrochemical Tests of Duplex Stainless Steels in Simulated Marine Environments Containing Sulphate Reducing bacteria (SRB)”, Australasian Corrosion Conference 2006
Selected Presentations
- “Power Line Corrosion Detection” in Oil and Gas Annual Technical Event - Improving Asset Performance through Innovation and Digitisation. Australasian Corrosion Association- Brisbane QLD, June 2019
- “Forensic Analysis of Materials Failures” in Engineers Australia Northern Division- Lecture series- Darwin NT, June 2018
- “Current Understanding of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in the Oil & Gas Industry” in Subsea Forum, Australasian Oil & Gas Conference (AOG) – Perth WA, Feb 2017
- “Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion” in Corrosion Prevention Seminar, Australasian Corrosion Association- Darwin NT, November 2016
- “Asset Integrity Management for Australian Projects” in Engineers Australia Northern Division- Lecture series- Women in Engineering Group- Darwin NT, July 2016
- “Welder Qualifications to Oil & Gas Standards” in Control and Management within a Tight Budget Environment Seminar- Oil and Gas working Group, Australasian Corrosion Association- Perth WA, May 2016
- “Preparing for Australia’s Asset Management Future”, Engineers Australia Presentation in South East Asia Australia Offshore & Onshore Conference (SEAAOC) - Darwin NT, August 2015
- “Insight into Cutting-Edge Corrosion Research”, Corrosion and Solutions for the Water and Wastewater Industries, North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas- Darwin NT, September 2013