Expert Witness Services

2020-2023 Prepared expert reports and joint expert memorandum regarding damage to processing equipment and piping to caustic corrosion and process review of operating scenarios for the steam reforming process at the Moerdijk Lower Olefins Plant in the Netherlands. Instructing solicitors: Clausen Miller, London.

2021-2023 Prepared expert report and gave evidence at ICC hearing on the scope of the contractor`s EPC work for wellheads, flow lines and central processing unit for gas and oil in Tunisia on behalf of the contractor’s consortium. Instructing solicitors: Aglionby ADR, London.

2021-22 Prepared an expert report and gave evidence including hot tubbing on the design and construction variation claims for a biomass CHP plant at Hull on behalf of the contractor Galiford Try. Instructing solicitors, Pinsent Masons, Manchester.

2022 Expert opinion regarding the cause of the explosion and fire at National Petroleum Industrial Company’s propylene polymers plant at Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 2 October 2018. Instructions Tecnimont S.P.A., Italy

2022 Gave expert advice in relation to a biomass CHP plant at the design, construction and commissioning of both an Anaerobic Digestion plant and an Energy from Waste gasification plant at a new waste disposal facility known as the EcoPark at Charlton Lane, Shepperton, Surrey. Instructed by Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, Birmingham.

2020-23 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on design and construction defects on a world scale ammonia and urea plant. Instructing solicitors. Instructing solicitors, Shearman & Sterling LLP, Paris.

2021-22 Prepared expert opinion on design and operation of pipeline pigs for gas and liquid pipelines on behalf of a pipeline pig manufacturer in relation to a patent infringement case. Instructing solicitors McFarlanes LLP, London.

2021-22 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on a patent on the design and operation of “hot bolting” of piping on behalf of Hydratight, UK Ltd to meet ASME B16.5 and general industry standards.

2021-22 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the design and commissioning of test rigs for flexible subsea piping between subsea equipment such as wellheads and floating production, storage and offloading facilities. Instructing solicitors Haynes Boone LLP, London.

2021 Prepared an expert report on design and operating/contamination issues at a plant to convert biomass (oils and fats) into biodiesel via transesterification at a biofuel plant at Immingham docks on behalf of Greenergy. Instructing solicitors, Kennedys, London.

2021 Provided expert advice on the design and construction variation claims for biomass CHP plant at Glasgow on behalf of the contractor Interterve. Instructing solicitors, CMS, Glasgow.

2019-20 Prepared expert report and gave evidence at UK Crown Court criminal proceedings regarding design and purchasing oil facility equipment in Iraq.

2018-19 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence in ICC hearing in December 2019 in New York on design defects for an LNG plant and LNG storage for two modular LNG trains.

2019 Prepared expert report and gave evidence at the Mediation on the scope of the contractor`s EPC work for wellheads, flow lines and central processing unit for gas and oil production in the southern Mediterranean area.

2019 Prepared expert report on the design and supply of a CHP plant including GE gas turbines to Russia. 

2019 Prepared expert report on the design and supply of a CCGT plant including Siemens gas turbines in Georgia.

2019-20 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the mechanical design of pasteurising tanks and heaters and a waste to biogas plant in UK.

2019 Prepared expert report as an expert adviser on the design of a enzyme production plant in UK.

2019-20 Prepared expert report on design and construction of a large Wiggins type gasometer.

2019 Prepared expert report on design and construction defects of new diesel storage tanks and facilities at Boots, Nottingham.

2018-2019 Prepared expert report on loss of electrical power and shutdown at Stanlow Oil Refinery.

2018-2020 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on the manufacture of aluminium profiles.

2018 Prepared expert on the design and construction of gas pipeline in Northern Ireland on behalf of the contractor.

2018 Prepared expert report and gave evidence at ICC hearing in Paris on quantum/valuation of process equipment in the manufacture of  seamless pipe for the chemical industries.

2016-2017 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence (including “hot tubbing”) on the design, materials and construction of oil and gas piping systems.

2017 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on the design defects, materials and construction of a PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) manufacturing plant in UK on behalf of an EP contractor.

2016 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on construction defects and remedial works on an EPC contract for the construction of a new LPG plant in Algeria on behalf the EPC Contractor

2015/16 Carried out site survey, review of design and construction records and prepared expert report on design defects, quantum and delay on a new pharmaceutical plant in UK.

2014-2016 Prepared expert report and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on behalf of the contractor in regard to alleged design and construction defects in an EPC contract for an offshore gas processing plant and gas pipeline in Africa.

2014/15 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on process and mechanical design defects and construction on a sour gas LPG processing plant and sales gas pipelines in Iraq.

2014/15 Prepared expert report and quantum analysis on 3-D piping design and stress analysis work on a topside skid on behalf of the Design contractor.

2014/15 Prepared expert advice on the design and construction of PTA (pure terephthalic acid) production plants in China.

2014/15 Prepared expert reports on design and defects on waste treatment plants including bioreactors, scrubbers and waste water treatment technology in in a combined waste heat power generation plant in UK.

2014/15 Preparation of expert report on investigation and analysis of problems with the EPC contractor in achieving steam cleaning of high-pressure steam pipe work in a combined waste heat power generation plant. Instructions from the contractor RWE Npower Renewables (Markinch) Ltd.

2014 Prepared expert report analysing the cost estimate and bid prepared for the design, procurement, manufacture and transport FOB Antwerp of a convection bank heat exchanger economiser for the power generating plant at Fertiliser Complex in the Middle East.

2013-2014 Instructed by the International Court of Arbitration to give independent expert opinion and gave evidence to the Tribunal in respect to quantum on process and mechanical engineering issues at an LDPE plant in EU.

2013-2014 Prepared expert report on design, construction and commissioning issues in relation to ash waste disposal at a major power generating station in Serbia on behalf of the contractor.

2012-2014 Prepared expert report on the design and operation of a chemical etching line for automobile castings on behalf of the Owner following a fire at the factory.

2012/13 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on construction and commissioning defects on a 400,000 tpa LDPE plant on behalf of SABIC (Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation).

2012/13 Prepared expert report and quantum for the Owner in respect of a claim against a consulting engineer in respect to the design and project management of a process plant using waste material feed (fly ash) from a power station in  UK.

2011/12 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration  on EPC project cost estimates (quantum) and design and construction changes  in respect to a 1,060 Mt/day nitric acid and ammonium nitrate plant in the Middle East.

2011/12 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on the construction of access platforms and lifting operations at a boatyard that had caused serious personal injury to the operator..

2012 Prepared expert report on design and construction defects at a coking plant at a power station in Brazil on behalf of Chinese Contractor.

2011/13 Prepared quantum analysis of like-for-like replacement of production machinery in respect to the owners claim for £63 million for rebuilding one of the largest confectionary factories in UK, following a major fire.

2011/12 Prepared expert report and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on behalf of a pipeline contractor in a dispute regarding the design and construction defects and repair costs (quantum) in the Azerbaijan to Turkey BTC pipeline.

2012 Prepared expert report on cement grout pump causing serious personal injury to the operator.

2012 Prepared expert report on air operated hoist during maintenance operations in FCC reactor whilst unloading the refactory that caused serious personal injury to the operator.

2011 Prepared an expert report and gave evidence to the ICC tribunal on construction and commissioning issues in regard to an air separation unit (ASU) in Oman.

2011 Prepared expert report and quantum analysing the cost estimate and bid prepared by heat exchanger supplier for the design and supply of a convection bank heat exchanger economiser for the power generating plant at a Fertiliser Complex in the Middle East.

2011 Prepared expert report on behalf of the Owner on design defects, delay, disruption and preferential engineering on sour gas high-pressure flow lines, valves, oil and gas separation (LPG and NGL), storage and transportation systems in Kazakhstan.

2011/12 Prepared expert report on behalf of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) on contractors claims on design defects, delay, disruption and preferential engineering on sour gas high-pressure flow lines, valves, oil and gas separation (LPG and NGL), and storage facilities.

2010 Prepared expert report and gave evidence in UK High Court on the failure of an access platform leading to personal injury.

2010 Prepared expert report on breakdowns and quality control on a continuous strapping line.

2009/10 Prepared expert reports in defense of the HSE prosecution relating to the failure of the overflow protection system and its alleged causation of the overtopping of storage tanks and subsequent explosion at the Buncefield oil storage depot in December 2005. This followed the successful civil defense (see below).

2009/10 Prepared expert report on design defects, delay, disruption and preferential engineering on the design and construction of cryogenic natural gas processing and storage facilities for LPG/LNG and in Yemen.

2009/10 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on contaminated LPG feed to ethylene cracker in EU.

2009/10 Prepared expert report on the failure of a temporary strainer in the suction line to main gas compressor (13 MW) at National Grid compressor station, work involved fatigue analysis and vibration analysis due to high gas flow rates.

2009 Analysis on behalf of the Owner on delay, disruption and preferential engineering claims from an EPC contractor in respect to Middle East offshore accommodation modules and the Owners counterclaims regarding quality of engineering and programme issues. 

2009 Prepared expert report on the quality of manufacture and fitness for purpose of alloy steel valves. Investigations required metallurgical examination and review of production processes to ISO 9002 procedures.

2008-2010 Preparation of expert report in the successful defence of of claims regarding the failure of an oil storage tank at Buncefield Oil Depot and subsequent major explosion.

2008-2009 Prepared expert quantum report on the cost of repair of a high-speed aluminium rolling mill following a fire.

2008 Prepared expert report on design and construction project management issues comprising delay, disruption and preferential engineering for FEED (front end engineering design) and EPCC (detailed engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning) of a 4,500MT per annum Methanol Plant in Russia.

2008 Prepared expert advice on cryogenic storage and piping design and insulation requirements at South Hook LNG plant Pembroke UK, on behalf of the Contractor.

2008 Provided expert advice on the manufacture of finned heat exchanger tubes.

2007-2008 Prepared expert report and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on behalf of the EPC contractor in respect to the design and construction of gas compression and underground storage (LNG) facilities in Turkey. 

2008 Prepared expert report on the quality of manufacture and fitness for purpose of stainless steel of automotive fuel tanks in respect to claim against the stainless steel supplier. Investigated failures of deep drawing process undertaking FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and compliance with ISO 9002 procedures. Prepared expert report including metallurgical examination, and gave evidence at mediation.

2006-2007 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on behalf of the Owner in successfully defending claims from the EPC contractor and pursuing counterclaims on equipment defects in a major process plant.  The work had been undertaken under the FIDIC orange book on the basis of a basic design provided by the Owner and the dispute revolved around the extent of the basic design and alleged defects in the basic design. 

2007 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the quality of manufacture and fitness for purpose in respect to a claim from the purchaser against a manufacturer of a agricultural process equipment.

2006 Prepared expert report on petroleum storage and filling facilities at Triumph Motorcycles following a major. 

2005 Prepared expert report on petroleum, diesel and heavy fuel oil distribution and cost structures and refining margins in Ukraine in respect of a dispute on the valuation of a Ukrainian refinery and distribution network comprising 50 filling stations. 

2005 Undertook site survey and prepared expert report on a petroleum filling station and underground storage facilities in respect to criminal investigation of petroleum product substitution by Avgas and VAT fraud. 

2004 Prepared expert report on the pipe specifications and manufacturing methodology for pipe bombs in a criminal/terrorist investigation in Northern Ireland.

2002-5 Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on water treatment plant at Jersey Power Station.. The failure of plastic piping systems in the water treatment plant led to a spillage of concentrated hydrochloric.

2002 Prepared expert report on the world market for the petroleum additive TEL and providing advice on the valuation of a process plant to produce TEL.

2002-2003 Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the heat exchangers and cooling water/glycol system in two 2.3 MW standby diesel generators. 

2000-01 Prepared an expert report and gave evidence on project management issues comprising delay, disruption and preferential engineering including analysis of Primavera, on behalf of the Owner in the International Court of Arbitration in defence of a claim by the EPC contractors  regarding the basic and detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning of an integrated gas combined cycle power plant in Italy.

2000 Prepared an expert report and gave evidence as a single joint expert on mechanical handling.

1999 Prepared Expert report on the Owners’s claim for lack of performance of table salt processing plant in Africa. 

1999 Prepared Expert report and gave evidence for Purchaser in respect of a successful claim against insurers for a piping and cooling water system failure.

1998 Prepared expert report for pump manufacturer in respect of a successful claim against a consulting engineer/design contractor for failure of a cooling water circuit and heat exchangers at a pharmaceutical plant, Portsmouth. 

1998 Prepared expert report and gave evidence to the International Court of Arbitration on behalf the Contractor, in their successful defence of a claim by the Owner on the design of a vitamin C plant. Work included design review of all utilities including ultra pure filtration for water treatment, demineralisation plant and effluent treatment plant.

1996 Prepared expert report for Total Oil in their successful defence of a claim over mechanical failure of a turbo expander machine at a UK Natural Gas Plant to separate LPG and NGL products. 

1990 Prepared evidence for ARCO (Atlantic Richfield) in defence of failure of mechanical equipment at Texaco Pembroke refinery. 

1989-1990 Assisted preparation of Expert Report for Wimpey, as Contractor, in their successful defence of a claim by Texaco, the Owner, relating to design of pressure vessels and mechanical failure of a vacuum loading system for catalysts at the Pembroke refinery.