Incident Investigations

Investigation of Gas Processing Plant Accident

Assisted a major oil company in the investigation of an explosion and fire with resulting failure of natural gas supply from onshore crude oil, condensate, and natural gas processing facilities located near the Bass Strait of Australia.  Reviewed facility design, operating, and maintenance standards and assisted in the preparation of testimony before a Royal Commission formed by the State of Victoria.

Thermal Radiation Exposure

Investigated and incident involving a claim of thermal radiation exposure as a result of a large refinery unit fire.  Analysis of unit design drawings, damage reports, fire video footage, weather conditions, and published literature on large hydrocarbon fire heat exposure was required to support the defense in this litigation.  

Industrial Explosion

Investigated root cause of dust explosion at a vitamin manufacturing facility.  Reviewed owner operating, maintenance and safety procedures and practices, and equipment design.  Provided expert report.

Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Pipeline Failure

Investigated the cause of a natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline failure and explosion.  Determined the leak was initiated by the failure of a downstream main line gate valve.  Reviewed the actions required to return the pipeline to service based on a Corrective Action Order and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.  Calculated a business interruption claim for lost NGL production from a gas processing facility served by the NGL pipeline.

Refined Petroleum Products Pipeline Leak

Investigated the volume and origination of motor gasoline spilled from a ruptured products pipeline in Texas.  Utilized SCADA data to locate product batches, and determined leaked volume based on gravity drainage and siphoning effect.  Demonstrated that client’s product was not involved in spill.

Electrical Power Plant Steam Turbine Failure Analysis

Performed root cause failure analysis of 125 Megawatt (MW) power generating steam turbine after overhaul.  Evaluated vibration data, maintenance records, material failure analysis, and inspected site.  Determined failure caused by poor steam path cleanliness practices during maintenance activities.

Fire at Retail Gasoline Station

Investigated cause of flash fire at retail gasoline station during tanker truck unloading.  Reviewed owner and contractor operating and safety procedures and practices.  Reviewed equipment design.  Reconstructed incident from surveillance video, interviews and physical evidence.

Refinery Heater Explosion Investigation

Investigated the root cause for explosion of a process heater.  The heater was destroyed resulting in several million dollars of property damage and business interruption leading to litigation.  Provided expert testimony.

Salt Water Disposal Tank Explosion

Investigated the cause and origin of a storage tank explosion at an oil and gas saltwater disposal facility in Colorado.  Conducted site investigation and facility/equipment inspections, evaluated system design and operation, and conducted witness interviews.  Determined cause of explosion and worked with company management to evaluate existing policies and procedures for potential areas of improvement.

Accident and Fatality Investigation

Investigated cause of fatality at a drilling rig during rig set up.  Inspected site, evaluated factual evidence and reviewed owner and contractor maintenance, construction and safety procedures and practices.

Electrical Power Plant Steam Turbine Failure

Performed root cause failure analysis of 160 MW power generating steam turbine.  Provided expert report and testimony.

Electrical Power Line Maintenance Fatality

Investigated cause of fatality during power line maintenance.  Analyzed the physical evidence, reviewed owner and contractor boom truck operation, line workers' maintenance and safety procedures and practices, and developed probable accident scenarios.  Developed virtual reconstruction of the incident.