oil and gas expert witness

Wesley Morgan

Oil and Gas Expert Witness
Thermoplastic Inspection Consultant Ted Hutton
Wesley Morgan
Oil and gas expert with business and operational-integrity focus.  Independent professional consultant with an extensive and diverse forty-three (43) years background in the oil and gas industry (land & offshore; domestic & international). Experienced in Contract Drilling and Oil & Gas Operator drilling and completion operations such as well planning, drilling, testing, and completion. Knowledgeable regarding various types of drilling rigs and mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs), marine vessels, and shore-based/port operations. Experienced in operational as well as SSHE aspects of drilling and completions. Experienced in project management; risk management; safety and environmental management; operational integrity management; emergency management;
 hazard identification and mitigation; incident investigation and management; simultaneous operations; project post-mortem and lessons-learned; communication and interpersonal skills; personnel mentoring and training. Have developed and drafted complete, regulatory compliant, Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) program documents for a number of oil and gas related companies. Have conducted audit reviews of SEMS program documents, regarding regulatory compliance, for a number of oil and gas related companies. Served as corporate vice-president for a major international drilling contractor. Liaise with government agencies (foreign and domestic) regarding Oil & Gas operations. Formally recognized by the US Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS), now Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), for corporate leadership.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

January 2019 - Present 
Private Practice – Provide Professional Consulting Services

  • Provide finished and complete regulatory compliant process and program documents to Oil & Gas Industry Clients  
  • Provide “Expert” Consulting Services to Professional Legal Clients, including:
           o Expert Review and Reporting of Plaintiff Case Related Documentation
           o Expert Review and Reporting of Defendant Case Related Documentation
           o Expert Critical Review of Witness Statements and Interrogatories
           o Drafting Expert Witness Reports
           o Expert Critical Review of Opposition’s Expert Witness Reports
           o Expert Participation in Depositions as Required
           o Expert Case Review
           o Expert Participation in Case Preparation as Required

December 2014 - November 2018
Kosmos Energy Ltd – Safety, Security, Health & Environmental (SSHE) Advisor
West Africa
  • Assignment to the West Africa Drill Team (Morocco, Senegal, Western Sahara, and Mauritania) and the following:
    • ​Provide offshore (deep water drill-ship – Atwood Achiever) rig-based operational expertise, advice, and oversight in the areas of Safety, Security, Health, and the Environment (SSHE) and Operations
    • Provide onshore (shore base – Port de l'Amitié, Nouakchott, Mauritania) operational expertise, advice, and oversight in the areas of Safety, Security, Health, and the Environment (SSHE) and Operations.
    • Promote and ensure operational success while maintaining SSHE integrity
    • Liaise with Drilling Contractor and Service Partners regarding Kosmos Energy (company) SSHE policies, procedures, and programs
    • Implement, manage, and steward company SSHE related objectives and initiatives regarding Operator, Drilling Contractor and Third-Party Service Provider
    • Steward and maintain Operator, Drilling Contractor, and Third-Party Service Provider SSHE compliance with company related SSHE directives
    • Develop operations required documents, in compliance with company operational and SSHE requirements, and local regulations
    • Review and revise drilling-related operations programs and operational procedures to ensure company SSHE objectives are addressed, achieved, and maintained
    • Review and revise shore base-related operations programs and operational procedures to ensure company SSHE objectives are addressed, achieved, and maintained
    • Integrate and bridge company SSHE documents with contractor and service company SSHE documentation as required to meet company expectations and requirements
    • Provide day-to-day monitoring and assessment of company, contractor, and service partner SSHE performance
    • Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly reporting of SSHE performance and status
    • Conduct regular SSHE inspections/audits of company stewarded operational areas
    • Steward SSHE inspection/audit findings (action-items) to closure
    • Liaise with government and port officials
    • Conduct formal investigations of incidents
    • Chair and conduct daily/weekly/monthly SSHE meetings with company, contractor, and service partner personnel
    • Prepare and conduct SSHE and operational presentations
    • Manage and steward company related behavior-based safety and training program
    • The primary contact for health and safety reporting and statistics
    • The primary contact for environmental reporting and statistics
    • The primary contact for security event reporting and statistics
    • Serve as the drill team subject-matter-expert regarding SSHE operations, contingency plans, and documentation
    • Ensure SSHE documentation is compliant with required company corporate principles, mission, requirements, and guidelines
    • Participate and assist in operational meetings and discussions regarding drilling operations and operations supporting drilling operations
    • Participate and assist in operational meetings and discussions regarding shore base operations and operations supporting shore base operations
    • Marine vessel inspection/audit (supply vessels and crew-change [personnel transport] vessels)

October 2013 - October 2014
ExxonMobil Development Company (EMDC) – Operations Integrity Advisor
Moscow and Murmansk, Russian Federation
  • Assignment to Moscow, Russian Federation in support of the EMDC Russia Exploration Drill Team Kara Sea, Black Sea and Western Siberia Projects, and the following:
    • Provide operational expertise and advice in the area of drilling operations
    • Provide operational expertise and advice in the areas of Safety, Security, Health and Environmental (SSHE)
    • Develop operations (Drill Team) required documents, in compliance with company operational and SSHE requirements
    • Integrate any drill team documentation as required with Affiliate, Joint Venture and other drill team documentation as required to meet company expectations and requirements
    • Provide day-to-day monitoring and assessment of the drill team’s compliance with prepared documentation
    • The co-steward of document management with drill team Engineering Technicians and Technical Writers
    • The contact point for supplying auditors with integrity critical documentation and its location during periods of audit
    • The primary contact for affiliate personnel developing their integrity critical documentation
    • Assist primary well control, oil spill, medical-evacuation and other emergency response specialists in the development and construction of specific emergency response plans for the drill team
    • Have the primary responsibility for developing any newly required documentation and ensuring it is integrated into drill team operating plans and procedures
    • Serve as the drill team subject-matter-expert on contingency plans and documents, during a drill and/or actual incident
    • Serve as the official observer/advisor during drills and/or actual incidents
    • Serve as the Leader in pre-audit preparation for operational and SSHE documentation Perform pre-audit checks to ensure rig site documentation is in line with required team processes and guidelines
    • Development of the ExxonMobil Joint Venture, Kara Sea Operations Manual Supplement
    • Development of the Kara Sea Project Medical Emergency Response Plan
    • Standing Member of the Kara Sea Medevac Project Team
    • Development of the Kara Sea Oil Spill Contingency Plan
    • Development and planning of Kara Sea Project Marine and Aviation Logistics
    • Development of the Kara Sea Project, Well Control Contingency Planning
    • Development of additional operations integrity critical plans, processes, and procedures regarding the drilling project
    • Lead, participate and assist in operational meetings and discussions regarding the Kara Sea Project
    • Conduct regular SSHE inspections/audits of company stewarded operational areas
    • Steward SSHE inspection/audit findings (action-items) to closure
    • Assignment to the Lavna Shore Base in Murmansk, Russian Federation (Marine and Logistics supporting the Kara Sea Drilling Campaign) to manage shore base operational integrity (safety, security, health, and the environment); assist with management and oversight of shore base related construction, and daily marine and logistics operational activities
    • Marine vessel inspection/audit (supply/cargo vessels, ice-breaker vessels, tow vessels and crew-change [personnel transport] vessel)
    • Other.

April 2013 - October 2013
ExxonMobil Development Company – Drilling Advisor
Houston, Texas
  • Assignment to Houston, Texas in support of the EMDC Russia Exploration Drill Team Kara Sea, Black Sea and Western Siberia Projects, and the following:
    • Provide operational expertise and advice in the areas of SSHE issues
    • The development and implementation of drill team Operations Integrity Management System (OIMS) critical documentation
    • Develop drill team required documents covering OIMS expectations and requirements
    • The primary contact for affiliate personnel developing their operations integrity management critical documentation
    • Work with primary well control and other emergency response specialists in the construction of specific response plans for the drill team
    • Have the primary responsibility for developing any newly required documentation and ensuring it is integrated into drill team operating plans and procedures
    • Assist in Controls Integrity Management System integration from an implementation to documentation perspective as needed
    • Lead, participate and assist in operational aspects (meetings/discussions) regarding the Kara Sea Project
    • Assignment to Moscow, Russian Federation in support of the EMDC Russia Exploration Drill Team Kara Sea, Black Sea and Western Siberia Projects
    • Other.

2008 - April 2013
RasGas Company – Operational Integrity Management System (OIMS) Program Coordinator
Doha, State of Qatar

  • Assignment to Doha, Qatar in support of the RasGas/Exxon Mobile Development Company Drill Team (Subsurface Group, Well Management Department) Persian Gulf Projects, and the following:
    • Development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Operational Integrity Management System
    • Audits and assessments of Quality Management, Third Party Services, Mechanical Integrity, and Safe Work Practices
    • Advise Safety, Security, Health & Environmental (SSHE) staff regarding development, documentation and revision of processes, procedures, and programs
    • Subject-Matter-Expert (SME) regarding contract drilling and related operations and activities
    • Operational integrity aspects of contractual requirements and specifications of service providers
    •  Promotion and assessment of emergency management systems
    • Mitigation of hazard and risk for rig operations
    • Lessons-Learned Management
    • Continuous Improvement initiatives
    • Conduct regular SSHE inspections/audits of company stewarded operational areas
    • Steward SSHE inspection/audit findings (action-items) to closure
    • Authorship of operational processes, procedures, and programs, including:
      • Well Management: Operational Integrity Management System
      • Emergency Management System
      • Environmental Management Program
      • Bridging Documents
      • Management of Change Program
      • Operations Safety Plan
      • Offshore Waste Management Plan
      • Simultaneous Operations Management
1996 - 2008
Rowan Companies, Inc. – Vice-President
Houston, Texas
  • Assignment to the corporate office, Houston, Texas in support of Safety, Security, Health, and the Environment regarding the company and its operations, and the following:
    • Manage and lead the corporate SSHE department
    • Commitment, leadership, and accountability regarding corporate SSHE performance and improvement
    • Develop and implement company policies, procedures, and programs
    • Liaise with regulators and statutory authorities regarding SSHE
    • Liaise with client Operators to bridge SSHE philosophies, objectives, and programs
    • Liaise with company management and operations staff regarding SSHE operational excellence
    • Liaise with subsidiary company management and operations staff regarding SSHE operational excellence
    • Liaise with service providers regarding SSHE operational excellence
    • Liaise and interact with industry peers, associations, and trade groups to improve the performance of the industry regarding health, safety, security, and environmental goals
    • Report health, safety, security, and environmental performance to the organization
    • Report on SSHE related matters to field personal, management, senior management, board of directors, etc.
    • Other.

1980 - 1996
Rowan Companies, Inc. – Rig Manager
England, Scotland, Kingdom of the Netherlands & United States of America
  • Proficient knowledge of rig equipment, personnel and operating practices associated with a land and offshore rig operation
  • Assess and procure primary and critical rig equipment
  • Liaise with USCG, ABS and DNV regarding rig certification, licensing, inspections, and classification aspects
  • Conduct commercial aspects of rig tendering and contracting
  • Provide operational expertise and day-to-day operational logistical supervision necessary to
  • assure drilling and relevant support activities are achieved safely and efficiently, and ensuring environmental compliance
  • Responsible for planning the details of the logistics and operations to assure that the necessary personnel, equipment, supplies, and services are available as required
  • Promote safety and provide safety leadership initiatives for the support of ongoing operations
  • Responsible for management of drilling operational activities; preventative maintenance, inspection, and repair of machinery; rig move planning/execution; operations integrity; supervision of employees and contractors
  • Proficient in aspects of contract drilling; in drilling operational equipment; equipment design, layout, and start-up
  • As Project Manager during the construction of new-build jack-up drilling rigs (Super Gorilla Class); ensured the efficient delivery of ongoing construction objectives and targets
  • Liaised with National Oilwell in the design, patent, development, construction, and certification of Super Gorilla Class rig traveling equipment, e.g., derrick traveling block
  • Prior work history with Rowan Companies, Inc., from initial hire through to the position of Rig Manager:
    • Rig Manager
    • Offshore Installation Manager
    • Tool Pusher (Day Pusher)
    • Tour Pusher (Night Pusher)
    • Driller
    • Assistant Driller
    • Barge Engineer (including crane operating and motorman duties)
    • Derrick Man
    • Shaker Hand
    • Floor Man/Roughneck
    • Roustabout (upon initial employment; entry level field-operations position).


RECOGNITION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSE & EDUCATION
  • 2006 Recipient of the US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Corporate Leadership Award
  • International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Well Control Certificate, Supervisor Level, Surface Blow-Out Preventers (BOPs) (expired)
  • International Well Control Forum (IWCF) Well Control Certificate, Supervisor Level, Surface Blow-Out Preventers (BOPs) (expired)
  • January 1994: United States Coast Guard License to US Merchant Marine Officer; Offshore Installation Manager; Bottom Bearing Units Underway or on Location (expired)
  • United States Coast Guard Able Bodied Seaman (Unlimited) License
  • 1978 – 1980 Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
  • 1976 – 1978 Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas
  • 1972 – 1976 Nacogdoches High School, Nacogdoches, Texas.


PROFICIENCIES

  • Independent Professional Consulting
  • Corporate Operations
  • Drilling Operations (land/offshore)
  • Shore-Based & Port Operations
  • Marine Operations (rig-towing, personnel/crew, supply, stand-by, cementing, seismic, iceberg tracking, iceberg-towing, ice-breaker vessels, drill ship, and MODU)
  • Air Operations (helicopter & fixed-wing corporate/charter)
  • Project Operations (including start-up/shut-down)
  • Personnel Travel Management (in hazardous locales)
  • Safety, Security, Health and Environmental Management
  • Security Management
  • Administrative/Corporate Management
  • Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Document Development & Management
  • Operational Integrity Management Systems (OIMS)
  • Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS)
  • Risk Assessment
  • Process Safety
  • SSHE Site Inspection
  • Auditing & Assessments
  • Personnel Competency, Mentoring & Training
  • Project Management
  • Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS)
  • Incident Investigation, Contributing Factor(s) & Root Cause Analysis
  • Lessons Learned
  • Emergency Response
  • Risk & Hazard Identification, Assessment & Analysis
  • Behavioral Based Safety Training
  • Technical Writing
  • Other.