Oil, gas, and energy infrastructure incidents carry consequences that extend well beyond the immediate damage. ESi provides forensic engineering support across the full lifecycle of hydrocarbon infrastructure, from upstream extraction and midstream transportation through downstream refining and liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities.
The team assembles mechanical, materials, civil and structural, electrical, chemical, and fire and explosion expertise for each engagement, based on the specific technical questions a matter presents. That multi-disciplinary depth allows ESi to address interconnected failure mechanisms, regulatory compliance questions, and damage assessment challenges that oil and gas incidents typically generate, all within a single firm.
ESi's consultants have evaluated failures across pipelines, process piping, compressor and pumping stations, pressure vessels, LNG facilities, and associated structural infrastructure. Analyses are conducted to the standard required in litigation, regulatory proceedings, and insurance investigations, leading to clear, defensible technical conclusions that support root cause determination and dispute resolution.
Meet Our Oil, Gas & Energy Infrastructure TeamOil, Gas & Energy Applications
Oil, gas, and energy infrastructure present complex and often interconnected technical challenges. Pipeline matters can involve materials, corrosion, structural loading, integrity, and operations, while process and facility matters may span chemistry, mechanical integrity, equipment performance, and human factors.
The applications below represent common areas in which ESi's multidisciplinary engineering and technical consulting capabilities are applied across the energy infrastructure sector.
Pipeline Failure & Integrity Assessment
Our consultants investigate pipeline integrity, reconstruct failure sequences, and evaluate compliance with applicable pipeline safety standards and codes to support litigation, regulatory proceedings, and insurance claims.
LNG Facility & Storage System Evaluations
ESi evaluates liquified natural gas and energy storage facility integrity, investigates system failures, and assesses design and operational compliance across the technical standards governing these high-consequence assets.
Fire & Explosion Investigation
ESi reconstructs ignition and propagation sequences in high-consequence energy environments involving disputed ignition sources, fuel contribution questions, and facility design factors that require integrated engineering and chemical analysis to resolve.
Corrosion & Materials Failure Analysis
Distinguishing between design-life corrosion, accelerated degradation, and inadequate corrosion protection is central to many energy infrastructure disputes. ESi investigates damage mechanisms, establishes timelines, and assesses decisions that contributed to the failure.
Regulatory Compliance
Compliance disputes require engineers who are current on industry standards and can explain them to non-technical audiences. ESi can assess compliance and provide expert testimony on whether deviations contributed to an incident.
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Multidisciplinary Expertise for Complex Energy Infrastructure
Contact our Oil, Gas & Energy Infrastructure Team
Alfred M. Pettinger, Technical Vice President, Principal
ESi Oil, Gas & Energy Infrastructure Capabilities
- Failure Investigation
- Root Cause Analysis
- Pipeline Integrity & Failure Assessment
- LNG Facility & Storage System Evaluations
- Compressor Station & Rotating Equipment Analysis
- Pressure Vessel & Piping System Evaluation (ASME/API)
- Structural Integrity
- Materials Analysis
- Corrosion Analysis
- Fracture Mechanics
- Fitness-for-Service Evaluations (API 579)
- Fire & Explosion Investigation
- Cause & Origin Analysis
- Hazard & Risk Assessments (HAZOP, FMEA)
- Damage Assessment & Repair Support
- Regulatory & Compliance Assessments
- Dispute Resolution
- Expert Witness Services
- Construction Defect
- EPC Dispute Analysis
Why Clients Choose ESi
ESi’s forensic engineering consultants are retained for complex oil and gas incidents that reach litigation, regulatory, or insurance proceedings and require quality analysis that can be defended under rigorous scrutiny.
Multi-Disciplinary Teams
We assemble teams that span mechanical, materials, civil and structural, chemical, electrical, and fire and explosion engineering, addressing the full technical picture of an energy infrastructure matter within a single firm without coordination gaps.
Hydrocarbon Infrastructure Experience
ESi has evaluated failures and disputes across upstream production, midstream transportation, downstream refining, and LNG infrastructure, meaning consultants assess an incident in the context of how the specific system type is designed, built, and operated.
Analysis to Industry Standards
Consultants are experienced with applicable regulatory requirements, industry codes, and engineering standards and apply them to the facts and technical questions presented by each matter. Our work includes fitness-for-service evaluations and analyses under applicable API, ASME, and other industry standards.
Expert Witness Services
ESi consultants have provided expert testimony across pipeline litigation, process incident cases, EPC disputes, and insurance arbitrations involving significant financial exposure. Reports are prepared to applicable evidentiary standards, and consultants are experienced in maintaining their opinions under cross-examination.
Early Mobilization for Evidence Preservation
Oil and gas incident sites change rapidly, with equipment moving, surfaces corroding, and process data histories being overwritten. ESi can mobilize immediately following an incident to document conditions, preserve physical evidence, and establish a defensible chain of custody.
