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Latin America’s energy infrastructure faces a growing challenge: facilities operating under pressures, temperatures, and conditions that far exceed conventional design limits. In this context, TEAM positions itself as a global reference in live interventions (on-stream), offering solutions capable of isolating lines and performing repairs without shutting down operations, even in scenarios where traditional methods fail.
In this exclusive interview for Inspenet Brief, we speak with Lee VanDongen and Geber Urbina about the region’s technical challenges, the evolution of the LATAM market, and the strategic role of High-Stop solutions in ensuring operational continuity and industrial safety.
Interview
- To begin, could you explain to our audience what differentiates TEAM today as a specialized provider of on-stream line interventions and live repairs within the Latin American market?
GU: Aside from manufacturing our own equipment, the biggest difference between us and other competitors is our service line offerings & our safety and training culture, which minimizes all risks during on-stream line intervention and repairs. The number of hours of training our technicians go through to be certified to perform our services is unmatched in the industry. TEAM carefully designs procedures and training programs for the success of your operations.
- You work with technologies capable of intervening systems under extreme conditions where conventional solutions are no longer viable. How common are these scenarios in LATAM, and what challenges do they pose for operators in the region?
GU: These scenarios are very common. Every industry has systems that operate under pressure and temperatures which are needed to perform our services as a specialty maintenance company we. Performing repairs on an active line while maintaining production saves the asset owner time and money and avoids shutdowns.
- Many operators in Latin America still rely heavily on traditional shutdowns. In your view, what technical or cultural barriers must be overcome to accelerate the adoption of advanced on-stream solutions?
GU: Educating clients in the new technologies that are in the market to avoid shutdowns is key. Many times, the clients have not done these type services before so, they are apprehensive on trying. The pros and cons of a shutdown vs the cost of investing in a solution to avoid shutting down the assets must be studied. As the cost of shutting down is not visible at first, the cost of providing the service is tangible in the form of a purchase order. We must do a good job of explaining this to the client while providing peace of mind that their assets will be taken care of.
- TEAM’s High-Stop capabilities allow the isolation of lines under extreme pressure and temperature, far beyond what conventional solutions can withstand. From both a technical and strategic perspective, how frequent are these scenarios in LATAM, and in what cases have these interventions delivered operational, economic, or continuity-related benefits for regional operators?
LV: These scenarios are more frequent than one might think, as these potential services occur where we have extreme temperatures and pressures present and clients range from power plants, refineries to chemical plants. We do have many clients that are not aware of these solutions, and if they are they may be hesitant to utilize. Team has performed these services from chemical plants in Porto Alegre Brazil to refineries in Salina Cruz Mexico where our clients avoided costly shutdowns that could take days to perform and multiple contractors on site increasing their potential liability at the jobsite.
- For the integrity specialists reading this: what are the main risks addressed by your hot tapping, line stop, and live leak repair solutions? What validations, standards, or testing protocols support the safety of these interventions under critical conditions?
LV: Quality- Building Trust and Confidence. To help us meet these objectives, TEAM has implemented this Quality Management System together with its supporting documented procedures, processes, and controls. This Quality Management System is intended to ensure that TEAM embraces a robust and reliable quality program, while at the same time fostering continuous improvement in our processes, products and services, and in our workforce.
The success of this program requires teamwork, engagement, ownership and support from all of our talented employees around the world. TEAM Senior Management is committed to providing the leadership and resources necessary to meet these stated goals and appropriately empower all TEAM personnel with the responsibility and authority required to ensure that this Quality Policy is understood, endorsed, and implemented by all employees at all levels of the organization.
We are focused on ensuring these high-quality standards and recognize they are at the heart of our success as clearly stated in our core value
Safety First, Quality Always.
Our corporate Quality Management System is ISO 9001: 2015 certified through an independent registrar and contains all the policies, procedures, and processes required to perform effectively in all phases of our operations- Service, Manufacturing, and Engineering. In addition, many of our regions have achieved ISO 14001, 18001, and 17025 certifications as well.
Our Quality Management System is also audited and recognized by these industry standards:
- Aerospace Standard- AS-9100, rev. D
- Nuclear Standards- 10 CFR 50 Appendix B ASME NQA-1
Safety
At TEAM we employ only the best, most qualified technicians to ensure each and every job is completed to the highest standards every time. Our quality management system requires quality indoctrination training for all personnel.
Additional training and documentation are required based on specific technical job requirements. TEAM provides training as part of the preparation for certification. That means the technician working on your equipment has been trained in that specific service area. We don’t operate with a jack-of-all-trades attitude. This is why our team is able to provide expert solutions for even the most difficult challenges.
Training Resources
- Mechanical Services Training/Certification Programs
- NDE/NDT Training/Certification Programs
- Heat Treating Training/Certification Programs
- Third-Party Certifications
- TEAM technicians hold a variety of certifications through the AWS, API, NEMA, DOT, NACE, ASNT and CGSB
- In a full intervention process—hot tapping, isolation, and repair—how does TEAM ensure traceability, regulatory compliance, ¿and post-service integrity? Which international standards are part of the workflow (ASME, ISO, API, ¿others)?
GU: Traceability is a very important part of our quality program. Our quality team performs continuous reviews of our operations and makes sure we exceed standards in the industry. TEAM currently holds certifications from ASME, ISO, API, NB, and others as part of our core quality program.
- As Region General Manager LATAM for Mechanical & Onstream Services, how do you envision the expansion of these technologies across the region for 2025–2026? Which countries or sectors are considered strategic priorities and why?
LV: Team provides many service lines from inspection, heat treating, to Leak Sealing and Hot Tapping & line stopping. Each area within Latin America & Caribbean region will have different focuses on expansion. Territories where we have a mature market in the Leak Sealing and Hot Tapping & Line Stopping in the Upstream, midstream and downstream segments we are expanding our services line offerings. Mexico is the second largest market within LATAM and is considered a strategic priority where we will focus on the upstream, midstream and downstream.
- From an operational standpoint, what concerns do Latin American operators express most frequently regarding leaks, integrity issues, elevated pressures, or out-of-range temperatures? How does TEAM respond to these needs?
GU: As assets age in the industry in North America, Latin America is no different as assets stretch beyond the original engineering design, preventive maintenance of these assets becomes very important. TEAM provides a vast array of services ranging from preventive maintenance such as our asset integrity program to our emergency services such as leak repair and composite repairs. Particularly in the high pressure and high temperature systems, the concern is always on having the correct information on these assets from the start to be able to follow the correct procedures and use of experienced technicians to carry out the job safely.
- Considering sectors such as refining, crude transportation, petrochemicals, and offshore operations: which of these do you identify as having the highest growth in demand for high- complexity on-stream interventions? ¿Are you seeing a shift in mindset across the region?
LV: In Mexico all three segments have a high potential of growth, but the midstream and down stream offer the best growth opportunities in the near future.
- From a commercial perspective, what technical and economic arguments are most effective in demonstrating that an on-stream intervention can be safer and more cost-effective than a full shutdown?
GU: Establishing a trusted partnership that effectively communicates the advantages of a carefully planned and technically robust solution can lead to significant long-term benefits. By prioritizing quality and precision from the outset, businesses can minimize production costs and reduce the likelihood of unforeseen repairs or operational disruptions in the future. This proactive approach not only enhances efficiency but also ensures a more reliable and sustainable outcome, ultimately driving value and fostering confidence in the proposed solutions.
- LATAM is a region with highly heterogeneous infrastructure, regulatory environments, and technical maturity levels. How does TEAM adapt its value proposition, pricing, or technical presentation to meet the particular requirements of each market?
GU: Each market is individually unique and needs to be treated as such. What remains constant is TEAM’s fairness and dedication to the client’s best interest.
- Technical visibility is increasingly decisive. How important is it for TEAM to have editorial presence, technical content in Spanish, and specialized dissemination to reinforce its authority across Latin America?
GU: Establishing a presence in Latin America is crucial for effective engagement with the local audience. To ensure clear communication and avoid any misunderstandings, whether technical or commercial, it is essential to provide accurate and well-crafted technical content in Spanish. This approach not only enhances credibility but also fosters trust and understanding, enabling your message to resonate effectively within the region.
- Considering that much of LATAM’s infrastructure operates near or beyond its intended lifespan, do you see on-stream services as a fundamental pillar for the future of integrity management and operational continuity in the region? Why?
GU: Repairing and maintaining these infrastructures without the loss of production is very key especially when these assets age. On-stream repairs are the perfect solution to get repairs done and assist with the changing of specific assets without a loss of production. TEAM has the expertise, equipment, and processes to perform these operations for our clients.
- If a Latin American operator is still hesitant to adopt extreme- condition live intervention solutions, what clear and direct message would TEAM deliver to demonstrate that it is a safe, effective investment aligned with global best practices?
TEAM, Inc. is a worldwide integrated asset performance solutions provider offering inspection, maintenance, repair services and manufacturing. Our services optimize critical asset functionality, safety, and reliability across several industries.
With a dedicated workforce of engineers, technicians, and client support professionals, we deliver a comprehensive suite of services in vital sectors, including those that further the efforts of green energy. We champion sustainability excellence by leveraging asset integrity, minimizing environmental impact, and mitigating risks through proactive maintenance practices. Our mission is to ensure the integrity and longevity of critical assets, contributing to a sustainable and responsible future.
This article was prepared by Team Group specialists and published as part of the seventh edition of Inspenet Brief February 2026, dedicated to technical content in the energy and industrial sector.