Industry

Oil & Gas Production

Need someone who can comfortably expound on the intricacies of whole-field, three-stage electrostatic desalters? Or a commanding authority on cryogenic NGL recovery and fractionation? Our oil and gas expertise runs uncommonly deep.

From the well-head to the market, our consultants offer experience in onshore and offshore oil and gas production facilities and pipelines. In commercial matters, we have advised and provided expert services on the market value of crude oil and natural gas and tariffs for regulated pipelines. Our consultants have hands-on experience in accident investigations, contract disputes, and production sharing agreements in the upstream industry.

Case Studies

E&P field development projects are not always commercially viable – what happens when partners disagree?

April 19, 2023

After the consortium members of an Exploration & Production (E&P) field development project determined the project was commercially unviable, one partner filed a claim challenging the decision. We evaluated cost studies, development plans, and the decision-making process to assess the adequacy of exploration and appraisal work necessary to inform a risk-based decision on commercial viability. In addition, Baker & O’Brien prepared an expert report detailing the essential phases of E&P development projects and provided opinions on this project's technical and commercial aspects.

How "Petroleum" is Defined Can Have Important Contractual Implications

July 1, 2013

The definition of "petroleum" was front and center in a lawsuit about compensation related to an oil and gas partnership agreement. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) had been converted to derivative products, sold at world market prices; however, a consultant's override was based on sales revenues from downstream products. Expert opinions based on a working knowledge of petroleum production contracts, natural gas processing and LPG production, and other derivative products helped facilitate a settlement.

A Difference of Opinion - Major Offshore Incident

October 1, 2019

The responsibility for damages pursuant to an offshore oil and gas production platform explosion and fire resulted in a dispute between the insurers regarding cause and origin. Baker & O'Brien was engaged to test two different expert opinions developed during the incident investigation through a review of cited evidence and extensive operating records. Following an open pre-mediation expert conference and supplementary written reports, the dispute was quickly resolved in an international mediation.