Service

Accident / Incident Investigation

The first step in plugging a leak is finding it. Through objective analysis, reports, and expert testimony, our expertise in cause and origin incident investigation puts our clients in a better position.

Case Studies

Oxygen Pipeline Explosion – Incident Investigation

April 19, 2023

A large oxygen pipeline suddenly exploded with a massive fire, causing significant damage to a manufacturing facility. We were engaged to review process data, integrity management inspection data, and the subarctic ambient environmental conditions to opine on the origin and cause of the loss of primary containment. As a result, we identified a most likely cause based on a reasonable degree of engineering certainty that facilitated settlement discussions.

Construction on a Slope – Hazard Awareness on Pipeline Construction

January 24, 2023

A pipeline inspector was fatally injured while operating an off-road vehicle on a steep hill along the pipeline construction route. Baker & O’Brien was engaged to determine the incident cause and to opine on the site responsibilities of the various parties associated with the pipeline construction and inspection. Our expert reports and testimony were used by counsel to reach a settlement before trial.

Pipeline Sabotage Leads to an Explosion of Force Majeure Claims

January 25, 2023

A gas pipeline experienced a series of events where saboteurs detonated explosives that damaged it and its associated facilities, causing numerous pipeline outages and associated force majeure claims. Baker & O’Brien was retained to provide an independent and objective assessment of whether the repair durations met the standard of a reasonable and prudent operator. Our consultants testified in four arbitration hearings providing expert opinions based on our review of the force majeure events.