Refining
MTBE Contamination Dispute
Assisted in defense of oil companies charged with supplying gasoline containing the additive MTBE, which alleged to have contaminated water supplies. Led the preparation of a comprehensive report on refinery supply, pipeline distribution, and retail marketing of gasoline in the area subject to the dispute.
International Chamber of Commerce Refinery and Pipeline Construction Arbitration
Analyzed numerous construction and design defect issues on behalf of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor involved in a lump sum $1.6 billion refinery and pipeline project in Mexico. Assessed numerous additional work order claims with reference to the contractual documents and normal industry practice. Prepared expert reports detailing the basis of opinions and findings and testified in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration hearings.
Refinery Acquisition and Divestiture Due Diligence
Performed due diligence on behalf of potential sellers and buyers on refineries being offered for sale. Work included assistance with discovery, analysis of refinery yields, operating costs, investment plans and preparation of financial models to support the valuations of the refineries. Activities involved data room document reviews, determination of value using the discounted cash flow (DCF) approach, site reviews and management interviews.
Analysis of Refinery Performance and Operating Practices
Participated in projects for both domestic and international clients analyzing refinery performance gaps relative to peer refineries that were similar in size and complexity. The completed analyses resulted in target setting for multiple maintenance and operating improvement initiatives aimed at achieving cost savings and gross margin increases. The work involved site visits, employee interviews, final reporting, and presentations to company management.
Refinery and Chemical Plant Inter-Plant Contract Dispute
Assessed the financial magnitude and contract basis for numerous claims of non-compliance and non-performance with contracts between an adjacent refinery and chemical plant. Issues included feedstock transfers, pricing, expense allocations, material balance, and reporting.
Review of Plant Operations and Maintenance History
Evaluated historical operating and maintenance practices that impacted maintenance and inspection work schedules during an extended refinery downtime. Prepared expert report and provided deposition testimony.
Refining Economic Analysis and Forecasting
Participated in the development of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial analysis and forecasting of refining business unit’s financial and operating performance for communication to executive management and corporate investor relations.
Refinery Ad Valorem Valuations
Prepared fair market values of many refineries for owners and tax assessors for ad valorem property tax purposes in California, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Prepared reports on fair market values using the three standard approaches to value of cost, sales, and income, and provided testimony in litigation.
Refinery Expansion Economic Study
Performed economic evaluation of a potential major expansion of capacity at a large Gulf Coast refinery, including development of capital costs, operating and maintenance expense estimates, and projected range of refining gross margins.
Capital Project Engineering
Provided project engineering coordination on multiple major refinery projects. Led the successful engineering and field construction of a major lights ends debottlenecking project. Successful completion of project construction during the unit maintenance turnaround led to increased recovery capacity of high valued products.
Refinery and Marketing Joint Venture Valuations
Evaluated potential synergies of U.S. downstream joint ventures between several integrated oil companies, assessing the market value of the individual company’s downstream assets, and the potential combined value. Participated in management discussions between companies exploring possible combinations.
Environmental Contamination From Former Refinery Site
Evaluated historical operating and maintenance practices that led to ground and groundwater contamination at refinery site in Illinois with emphasis on developing a range of possible types of wastes and quantities of waste generated during the six decade operating lifetime of the refinery. Provided expert report and testimony.
Refinery and Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Inter-Plant Contract Dispute
Assessed the financial magnitude and contract basis for claim of uneconomic pricing of petroleum coke as a fuel to a integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant. The refinery company who was the supplier of the petroleum coke was attempting to adjust the contract price terms for the coke with the owner of the IGCC.
Refinery Turnaround Performance Improvement
Led the evaluation of multiple refinery turnarounds on crude, fluid catalytic cracking, coking, and hydrocracking units. Evaluated existing practices and resulting performance relative to the “best” performers in industry. Provided management assistance in setting goals and objectives which targeted significant financial savings and unit availability increases.
Power and Steam Producing Utility Reliability Improvement
Led a team that performed a critical analysis of incidents, operating design, and operating practices for an integrated power plant providing steam and electricity to a major petrochemical complex. Results of the efforts led to modifications in operating practices and equipment redesign that increased production reliability.
Refinery Environmental Operations Performance Improvements
Led a team that re-engineered the normal operations monitoring practices for a large water treating and environmental operating center. The multi-phase effort led to improved levels of treatment quality and lower volumes, a capital investment that economically eliminated the production of a large hazardous waste stream, and lower operating costs.