Reference Cases
Expert Witness Reference Cases in Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Power Generation, Manufacturing and Food.
The Manderstam International Group has that vital exposure to the preparation and presentation of scientific and engineering evidence to the High Court and the International Court of Arbitration.
Our experts have prepared expert reports and advised strategy and given evidence in extremely complex cases on behalf of multinational oil and resource companies. See representative recent examples listed below. In the last 20 years, we have been instructed by most of the leading international & domestic law firms in over 85 cases and given oral evidence in 34 of these.
All our experts are trained in giving legal evidence and Manderstam is registered with the expert witness Institute (EWI), the UK register of expert witnesses and the Federation of forensic witnesses.
SPECIALISATIONS:
Process and Mechanical Equipment Design in the oil and gas, petroleum refining and power industries with specific experience of cryogenic process plant and piping design and insulation including LNG, LPG, NGL, ammonia production and hydrocarbons gas/liquid separation and fractionation.
Project Management, with extensive experience both as an owner’s representative and as a contractor, in preparing and executing basic design, detailed design, procurement and construction to ISO 9001 Quality Assurance and international model forms of contract (FIDIC orange book and similar) of oil and gas production/processing facilities and pipelines, petrochemical and power generation plants.
Manufacturing Design, Engineering and Quality Control in the manufacturing industries with specific experience of welding, forming and machining alloy steels and stainless steels; Quality Control and Assurance requirements to ISO 9001/2 and assessment of product design and manufacture in respect to assessment of fitness for purpose. Undertakes production plant and machinery valuations.: -.
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence including hot tubbing at ICC hearing on the
scope of the contractors EPC work for wellheads, flowlines and central processing unit for
gas and oil facilities in Tunisia on behalf of the contractor’s consortium.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence on a patent on the design and operation of “hot bolting” of piping to meet ASME B16.5 and general industry standards.
Prepared expert opinion in respect to pressure vessel compliance to Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000, designed to BS EN 13445 and ASME VIII.
Prepared expert opinion on design and operation of pipeline pigs for gas and liquid pipelines in relation to a patent infringement.
Prepared expert report 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.
Prepared an expert report on design and operating/contamination issues at a plant to convert biomass (oils and fats) into biodiesel via trans-esterification at a biofuel plant.
Prepared expert report on installation, alignment and piping for two MAN Turbo compressors at Stublach Gas Storage facility.
Prepared expert report on chemical cleaning and internal preservation of piping systems at Stublach Gas Storage facility.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence at UK Crown Court criminal proceedings on behalf of the SFO (Serious Fraud Office) regarding design and purchasing oil facility equipment in Iraq.
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence in ICC hearing in New York on design defects for an LNG plant and LNG storage.
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 in Tunisia on behalf of the contractor’s consortium.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence at a Mediation on design and construction defects of a 100,000 m³ gasholder on behalf of Motherwell Bridge Cape.
Prepared expert report on design and construction defects of new diesel storage tanks and facilities at Boots, Nottingham.
Prepared expert report on loss of electrical power and shutdown at Stanlow Oil Refinery.
Prepared expert report on the design and construction of gas pipeline in Northern Ireland on behalf of the contractor.
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence (including “hot tubbing”) on the design, materials and construction of oil and gas piping systems on behalf of the owner in Kuwait under an ICC Arbitration.
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 under an ICC Arbitration.
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 Rwanda under an ICC Arbitration. Work included review of 3-D models and piping isometrics.
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 under an ICC Arbitration.
Prepared expert report and analysis on 3-D piping design and stressing on a topside skid.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on behalf of a turnkey pipeline contractor, in relation to pipeline defects in the BTC pipeline from Azerbaijan to Turkey.
Prepared expert report on behalf of the Owner on design defects, delay and disruption on sour gas high-pressure flow lines, valves, oil and gas separation, storage and transportation systems in Kazakhstan.
Prepared expert report on behalf of Owner on contractors claims on design defects, delay and disruption on sour gas high-pressure flow lines, valves, oil and gas separation, and storage facilities in the Middle East
Prepared expert reports in defence 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 defence in 2008 (see below).
Prepared expert report on design defects, delay and disruption on the design and construction of cryogenic natural gas processing facilities in Yemen.
Prepared expert report on the failure of a temporary strainer in the suction line to main gas compressors at national gas distribution main compressor stations, work involved fatigue analysis and vibration analysis due to high gas flow rates.
Analysis on behalf of the Owner, on delay, disruption and preferential engineering claims from an EPC contractor in respect to offshore accommodation modules and the Owners counterclaims regarding quality of engineering and programme issues.
Prepared expert advice on IRR calculations for send and pay agreements in respect to crude oil pipeline take off agreements on major pipeline in Sudan.
Provided expert report on oil storage overflow protection systems design and construction in respect to the civil litigation following the major explosion at the Buncefield Oil Depot.
Prepared expert advice on piping design and cryogenic insulation in respect to the design of the LNG storage and unloading pipelines.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration in respect to the design and construction of gas compression and underground storage facilities in Turkey.
Provided expert advice on fuel contamination on fuel supplied by the major supermarkets.
Provided expert advice on petroleum storage and filling facilities at an automobile production factory following a major fire.
Prepared expert report on petroleum, diesel and heavy fuel oil distribution and cost structures and refining margins in Ukraine.
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.
Prepared expert report on the world market for the petroleum additive TEL and providing advice on the manufacturing process.
Prepared expert report for major oil company in its defence of claim by another major oil company over mechanical failure of a turbo expander machine and a send or pay agreements in respect to a Natural Gas Plant.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence for the contractor in defence of the owners claims arising from the failure of mechanical equipment for vacuum loading system for catalysts at a UK refinery.
CHEMICALS, PETROCHEMICALS and FERTILIZER
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence at an ICC hearing on the cause of an explosion and
fire at the National Petroleum Industry Companies propylene polymer’s plant at Yanbu,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Prepared a review of operating scenarios & prepared expert reports for the steam reforming process at a Lower Olefins Plant in the Netherlands.
Technical review of facilities to produce soda ash and byproducts and use of CHP steam and power generation at a soda ash plant.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence at ICC hearing on design and construction defects on a world scale ammonia and urea plant in Algeria.
Prepared expert report on supply and manufacturing costs of biocide (9.9% concentration of Alkyl C12–16 Dimethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride (BAC)).
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on the design defects, materials and construction of a PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) manufacturing plant at Teeside on behalf of EP contractor, under an ICC Arbitration.
Prepared expert advice on the design and construction of PTA (pure terephthalic acid) production plants in China.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the process design for the manufacture of oxy alcohols from olefins.
Prepared an expert advice and gave evidence on the design of PTA (pure terephthalic acid) production plants.
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 Germany.
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on construction and commissioning defects on a 400,000 tpa LDPE plant on behalf of the Owner.
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on EPC project cost estimates and design and construction changes in respect to a nitric acid and ammonium nitrate plant on behalf of the Owner.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on behalf of the Contractor in relation to commissioning of air separation and storage plant, in the Middle East.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence on contaminated LPG feed to ethylene cracker. Work required investigation of two phase flow into heat exchangers, and metallurgical examination of corrosive acid attack on titanium by hydrofluoric acid.
Prepared expert report on design and construction project management issues for FEED (front end engineering design) and EPCC (detailed engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning) of a 4,500MT per annum Methanol Plant in Russia.
Prepared expert report on the process design of fertiliser plant.
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence at the International Court of Arbitration on behalf of the Owner in defending claims from the EPC contractor and pursuing counterclaims on equipment defects on manganese oxide process plant in Jordan. 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.
Prepared expert report as an expert adviser on the design of a enzyme production plant in UK.
Carried out site survey, review of design and construction records and prepared expert report on design defects and delay on a new pharmaceutical plant in Kent UK.
Prepared expert report for the main contractor in respect of its claim against a design sub contractor for failure of a cooling water circuit and heat exchangers in a pharmaceutical plant in UK.
Prepared expert report on the manufacture of shampoo and in particular examination of traces of 1,4 Dioxane in the composition.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence to the International Court Of Arbitration on behalf of the EPC contractor, in its defense of a claim by the Owner in respect to the basic and detailed design and procurement for a vitamin C. manufacturing plant.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the manufacture of aluminium profiles construction.
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.
Prepared engineering expert advice on coolant/lubricant emissions and designing use of total enclosures during CNC machining of aluminium and steel products following HSE improvement notices.
Prepared expert report on breakdowns and quality control on a continuous strapping line in the packaging of building products. Work included FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and compliance with ISO 9001 procedures.
Carried out equipment survey and prepared expert report on cement grinding.
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
Prepared expert report on cement grout pump causing serious personal injury to the operator.
Prepared expert report on air operated hoist in process plant maintenance operations that caused serious personal injury to the operator.
Prepared expert report on the design and operation of chemical etching line for steel castings for the automobile industry.
Prepared expert report on fire damage to large high-speed aluminium foil rolling mill for insurers.
Prepared expert report, undertook metallurgical investigations and gave evidence at a mediation on the manufacture of automotive stainless steel fuel tanks. Work included FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and compliance with ISO 9002 procedures.
Provided expert advice on the manufacture of finned heat exchanger tubes.
Prepared expert report on anodising processes and plant.
Prepared expert report on the pipe specifications and manufacturing methodology for pipe bombs in a criminal/terrorist investigation.
Prepared single joint expert report the following inspection and testing of a Wetrok floor cleaning machine and door mat at the entrance to Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Basildon.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence in respect of a claim against insurers for a piping failure in a cooling water system.
POWER GENERATION and BIOGAS CHP
Prepared an expert report and gave evidence including hot tubbing at the UK Technology and Construction Court on the design and construction variation claims for a biomass CHP plant in UK.
Provided expert advice on the design and construction variation claims for a biomass CHP plant in Scotland.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence at an ICC Arbitration on the design and supply of a CHP plant including GE gas turbines to Russia.
Prepared expert report on the mechanical design of pasteurising tanks and heaters and a waste to biogas plant in UK.
Prepared expert report on the design and supply of a CCGT plant including Siemens gas turbines in Georgia.
Prepared two expert reports on design and defects on waste treatment plants including bioreactors, scrubbers and waste water treatment technology (SPR, MBBR, MBR) in in a combined waste heat power generation plant in Sussex.
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.
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.
Prepared expert report 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.
Prepared expert report on design and construction defects of a Gasholder at a coking plant at a power station in Brazil on behalf of Chinese Contractor.
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 Ruwais Fertiliser Industries Complex UAE.
Investigated design and material non-compliances and prepared expert report in the turnkey design and supply of four (total 1400 MW) HRSG steam boilers (steam pressure 104 bar, temperature 565° C). Work included FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and compliance with ISO 9002 procedures for non-destructive testing of tubes and castings. Also review and analysis of support structures.
Prepared expert reports and gave evidence on the failure of product transfer and storage systems for concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCL) at a power station due to incorrect design selection and quality control by design and installation contractor.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the heat exchangers and cooling water/glycol system for two large standby diesel generators.
Prepared an expert report and gave evidence on project management issues, including analysis of Primavera, on behalf of the owner in the International Court of Arbitration in defence of claims brought by the EPC contractor regarding the basic and detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning of an integrated gas combined cycle power plant.
Prepared expert report on the fitness for purpose, claimed remedial works and delay of process and bottling equipment for syrup products.
Prepared quantum and valuation report of like-for-like replacement of the machinery regarding Owners claims for £63 million for rebuilding one of the largest confectionery factories in UK following a major fire.
Prepared expert report and gave evidence on the quality of manufacture and fitness for purpose in respect to a £200,000 claim from the purchaser against a manufacturer of a potato harvester.
Prepared an expert report and gave evidence as a single joint expert in relation to a dispute on mechanical handling and food packaging lines.
Prepared Expert report on the Owners’s claim for lack of performance of table salt processing plant.
