Oil & Gas Power Pipelines Engineer Expert Witness

EXPERIENCE

Tom Whipple has thirty-plus (30+) years of International and North American experience in Power, Pipelines, Oil & Gas, Transmission & Distribution and EPC execution with a wide range of experience in Project Development, Project Management, Construction Management, Major Equipment Procurement, EPC Contract Negotiations, Project Engineering, Project Controls, Estimating, Fabrication, and Logistics.

Recent experience includes, managing EPC / EPCM turnkey projects as Owner’s Representative, conducting due diligence of EPC contractors and OEM’s, drafting and negotiating EPC and EPCM contracts and OEM supply agreements, performing project development at-risk, acting as a SME for energy asset assessments and valuations, conducting commercial and technical assessments for facility performance compliance, and providing technical support for EPC contract disputes, claims and arbitration processes.

Professional experience includes management of multiple international construction sites and engineering offices, including hands-on project management, site management and project execution activities with resident employment in eight (8) countries, on four (4) continents.

Previous experience includes turnkey EPC project execution as a Project Director and Project Manager, leading the execution of four (4) simultaneous power plant projects with a combined output of 6,700 MW’s, 12,000,000 MH’s and a TIC of $4.1 billion USD in today’s dollars.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Vista Energy, LP

March 2007 – Present: Snohomish, WA Partner and Principal Owner

As a Partner and Principal Owner of Vista Energy, Mr. Whipple and Vista Energy provide energy asset development and project professional and technical services including, leading and managing Owner’s EPC execution activities, selecting EPC contractors and OEM’s, negotiating EPC contracts and OEM supply agreements, performing project development of green-field energy assets, conducting facility and asset assessments and technical due diligence, leading project execution teams and providing personnel and expertise in project management, project engineering, construction engineering, project controls, construction management, and start-up and commissioning. Recent project experience includes;

• December 2017 – Present: Mexic/ Latin America Energy Infrastructure Development
• Development of PV solar, wind and thermal power generation assets with associated facilities in Mexicand various markets in Latin America. Activities include:
• Conceptual design, technology selection and equipment general arrangement
• Partnership agreements, MOU’s PPA’s and energy sales offers
• Plant siting, grid interconnect, natural gas supply, permitting and regulatory compliance
• Financial modeling, energy assessments and project proformas

January 2019 – April 2020: Houston, TX Ceiba Energy Facility Assessments
Independent commercial and technical assessment of combined cycle asset offered for divestiture by international IPP in Latin America.
Technical due diligence of existing power station for incorporation intLNG re-gas and combined cycle power generation project.

May 2018: Sewaren, NJ PSEG 540 MW Power Plant Claims Assessment
Provided independent commercial, technical and contract due diligence and assessment on behalf of Owner related ta lump sum EPC contract dispute for this 540 MW combined cycle power plant project.

September 2015 – April 2018: Brandywine, MD PSEG 755 MW Power Plant Project Management
Provided project management support tthe client’s Project Director and the Vista Energy site-based construction management team for this 770 MW combined cycle power plant project.

May 2010 – January 2015: Lima, Peru Fenix 550 MW Power Plant Project Management
Lead the Owner’s Representative team for this 550 MW combined cycle power plant project, beginning with EPC contractor due diligence, engineering and procurement oversight, site-based construction management and start-up, and management of project execution commercial processes and controls.

November 2009 – April 2010: Seattle, WA Aecon 300 MW Power Plant Project Due Diligence
EPC contract development, constructability, planning and technical due diligence for this power plant.

June 2009 – October 2009: Seattle, WA PSE Project Management Reporting
Report development and standardization of costs, schedule, NPV and risks for nine (9) capital projects.

May 2009 – November 2009: Ploiesti, Romania CHP Process Facility Project
Construction management, facility start-up, procedures development and OJT for this CHP plant.

April 2009 – May 2010: Windsor, Ontario Aecon EWCC 84 MW Cogeneration Power Plant
Performance test development, direction, and project management support for this LM6000 facility.

November 2007 – November 2008: Lagos, Nigeria Chevron Agura 250 – 360 MW Power Plant
Managed the FEED and provided key personnel for the feasibility and design of this CC power plant.

March 2007 – August 2007: Seattle, WA SNC-L Becancour 550 MW Power Plant
Project Director level project management tcompletion for this 2 x 1 550MW Frame 7 power station.

SNC-Lavalin Constructors Inc. / National Energy Production Corp. (ENRON Affiliate)

September 2003 – March 2007: Quebec / Seattle, WA Sr. Director, Project Management
Sr. Director, Project Management provided the day-to-day project management and execution direction for the Becancour 550 MW Cogeneration Power Plant project. Responsible for managing the activities of the EPC team, working directly with the Sr. Project Manager – Engineering, the Project Manager – Construction and various other team members, coordinating their respective engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up tasks.

June 2002 – August 2003: Various Locations Sr. Director, Project Management

Promoted tSr. Director, Project Management, while providing the project management and execution oversight for the Union Power Partners 2,250 MW Power Plant project and the Panda Gila River 2,250 MW Power Plant project supervising the activities of each Sr. Project Manager and their respective teams. These tw(2) projects included approximately 8,200,000 man-hours of installed scope over a thirty-three
(33) month period.

Completed the start-up and commissioning scope of the Kendall 1,100 MW Power Plant project via a direct subcontract with Owner, while providing final design, as built and engineering support required tcomplete the project and place it intcommercial operation.
Assisted with the transition of the Nelson 1,100 MW Power Plant project from a lump sum EPC agreement ta reimbursable fee-at-risk agreement with NEPCO’s former Joint Venture partner.

June 2000 – May 2002: Various Locations Director, Project Management

Promoted to Director, Project Management, responsible for the execution of four (4) separate Power Plant EPC projects overseeing the activities of each Sr. Project Manager, their respective teams, and the team’s engineering, procurement, construction and start-up tasks. The four (4) projects included: Kendall 1,100 MW Power Plant (completed and in commercial operation)
Nelson 1,100 MW Power Plant (transitioned tJV partner and later suspended)
Union Power Partners 2,250 MW Power Plant (transitioned tSNC-Lavalin and completed)
Panda Gila River 2,250 MW Power Plant (transitioned tSNC-Lavalin and completed)

Assisted with the transition of these projects through the ENRON and NEPCbankruptcies including renegotiations of JV agreements, termination of EPC agreements, re-estimating project to-gcosts, and supporting the execution of new reimbursable agreements with SNC-Lavalin. Completed three (3) of the four (4) projects as noted above.
The four (4) projects have a combined output of 6,700 MW’s, 12,000,000 MH’s and a TIC of $4.1 billion USD in today’s dollars.

January 2000 – May 2000: Chicago, IL / Seattle, WA Sr. Project Manager
Senior Project Manager responsible for all project management functions including engineering, procurement, construction, and contract administration of the Kendall 1100 MW Power Plant project as Project Manager for the NEPC/ Dick Joint Venture. Lead the EPC execution responsibilities of the Joint Venture, reviewed and approved design documents, approved engineered equipment requisitions and developed the project execution plan. Prepared monthly progress reports and financial statements and acted as the Joint Venture representative with the Owner for the turnkey EPC contract.

Provided assistance in kicking off new projects prior the assignment of a full-time Project Manager. This involved assisting Business Development with negotiating final contract language, as well as negotiating the procurement of major equipment including HRSG’s, condensers, turbine generator sets and engineered equipment, and developing the preliminary execution plans.

ENRON Engineering & Construction Company

May 1991 – January 2000: Cuiaba, Brazil Sr. Project Manager
Promoted to Senior Project Manager while continuing in the role responsible for managing all EPC aspects of the integrated Cuiaba 480 MW Power Plant and Cuiaba 626 KM Pipeline projects in eastern Bolivia and western Brazil as described in detail below.

June 1997 – November 1999 Project Manager

Promoted to Project Manager responsible for managing all EPC aspects of the integrated Cuiaba 480 MW Power Plant and Cuiaba 626 KM Pipeline projects.

Mobilized to Cuiaba, Brazil to lead daily execution of the Power Plant, Pipeline, Transmission Line & Substation system, and Water Treatment Plant scopes of work, while overseeing the EPC contractor and engineering staff in offices in Germany and Bolivia. As part of the power plant project scope of work, managed the engineering, procurement and installation of the power block, water intake structure, water supply pipeline, water treatment facilities, three (3) transmission lines, three (3) substation upgrades and the effluent discharge works. Lead the on-site teams of 14 expats and 11 local staff in two separate offices in Bolivia and Brazil while coordinating eight (8) separate subcontracts and providing a turnkey “wrap” to the Owner’s Joint Venture.

In parallel with the power plant project, supported the development and lead the installation of the Cuiaba
Pipeline from Santa Cruz, Bolivia Cuiaba, Brazil. This 626 km over-land pipeline included multiple river, mountain range and wetlands crossings as well as dense jungle right-of-way clearing and installation.

April 1996 – May 1997: Houston, TX Director, Project Controls
Promoted to Director, Project Controls responsible for leading the Cost and Schedule Control departments in support of ongoing capital projects and project development efforts. Project Controls duties included oversight of capital cost and schedule reporting toSenior Management, cost and schedule risk model development, project schedule logic reviews, development of Pre-Project Plans and Project Execution Plans, and streamlining and improving various system interfaces across the company’s departments. Additionally, reporting tthe Vice-President – Project Management while acting as the Project Manager for three (3) power plant projects in the pre-NTP development phase.

May 1994 – March 1996: Qinglan, Hainan, PRC Site Manager
Site Manager responsible for the in-country construction and engineering of the Wenchang Qinglan 150 MW Power Plant. Executed this grass roots project in a remote area of Hainan Island. Initial responsibilities included assistance in site investigation and acquisition, selection of and negotiation with the detailed designer, establishment of the site-based team, establishment of site and regional business offices, initial logistics investigations and contractor identification.

Coordinated and supervised all aspects of field construction, site engineering, contract awards, commercial operations, materials management, human resources, security, logistics, permitting, Owner and Utility interface and local government interaction. Led the on-site team of 20 expats and 32 local staff while reporting ta U.S. based Project Manager. Completed the project on schedule and on budget while coordinating the work of 750 direct field labor and 7 major subcontracts.

May 1993 – April 1994: Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines Site Manager Promoted tSite Manager responsible for the in-country construction of the Subic Bay 115 MW Power Plant project. Managed and supervised all aspects of field construction, site engineering and site permitting, contracts administration, commercial operations, transportation, material control, and security, logistics and personnel issues. Led the on-site team of 34 expats and 72 local staff while reporting ta U.S. based Project Manager. Completed the project ahead of schedule and under budget while coordinating the work of 1,300 direct field labor and 11 major subcontracts.

May 1991 – April 1993: Houston, TX Senior Scheduling Engineer
Senior Scheduling Engineer responsible for performing various project schedule control functions including development of project schedules, project schedule control procedures and project schedule risk analysis. Developed and executed target and as-built schedules for the Batangas 115 MW Power Plant and the Subic Bay 110 MW Power Plant in the Philippines.

Assisted on an interim basis with the duties of the project controls department manager during his long-term overseas assignment, including schedule development and support for the Milford 150 MW Power Plant and numerous projects under development by ENRON Development Corp., including conceptual schedules, proposal development and schedule risk analysis.

Brown & Root, U.S.A., Inc.

June 1988 – August 1989: Huntsville, TX Owner’s Designated Representative /
Project Controls Manager

Owner’s Designated Representative responsible for all aspects of project execution for the foundation and structural repair of a 2,000-man maximum-security prison. Pre-construction duties included contract administration, design coordination, bid development, contract award, submittal reviews and site planning. Construction phase duties included cost and schedule review, change order and work order management,
claims and RFI processing, and the convening of all weekly and monthly progress meetings.

Project Controls Manager responsible for the tracking and reporting of project schedules and costs for 99 separate construction contracts under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Corrections Facilities Expansion and Improvement Program. Developed and instituted a phased cost and schedule tracking system that identified project costs during each distinct design and construction phase. Established control, target and forecast budgets for all projects under contract and published monthly reports submitted the State Board. Assisted the Program Manager with various administrative duties including client invoicing, program cost forecasting, account reconciliation, project / staff cost allocation and administrative corporate reporting.

Santa Fe Offshore Construction Company
April 1982 – May 1988: Houma, LA Engineering Projects Manager
Promoted toEngineering Projects Manager responsible for a $400,000 in-house fabrication project for a new pipeline stinger. Scope of work over a 5-month period included labor and materials estimating, labor and material scheduling and forecasting, fabrication engineering support, and coordination of in-house fabrication craft, third party subcontractors and material suppliers.

December 1985 – November 1987 Project Engineer

• Promoted to Project Engineer responsible for pipeline and production equipment installations, heavy lift designs and method statements, pipeline stress analysis, pile driving operations, field engineering, materials acquisition and expediting, fabrication coordination, and pre-bid site investigations, in addition tin-house design support and coordination of remote land-based onshore and offshore operations. Provided field (offshore) and home office-based Project Engineering support and construction oversight for over 50 pipeline, jacket, production platform, metering facility, pipeline riser and drilling rig installation projects.

April 1982 – November 1985 Construction Engineer / Estimator

• Construction Engineer / Estimator provided engineering and estimating support of turnkey fabrication and offshore installation estimates, conceptual estimates, project schedules, in-house design support, rigging studies and preparation of turnkey fabrication and construction proposals. Field engineering support included, pipeline stress analysis, bulkhead and mooring installations, jacket and deck installations, pipeline and sub- sea tie-installations, production equipment installations and general engineering support for offshore construction operations and onshore fabrication projects.

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering – Texas A&M University 1990

• Construction Engineering and Project Management option with emphasis on core MBA Curricula
  including corporate finance, construction law, financial accounting and organizational management.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – University of Southwestern Louisiana 1981

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Registered Professional Engineer, Texas Member, American Society of Civil Engineers Wilson Leadership Training Series – 12 parts
• Continuing Education including:
• Workplace and Engineering Ethics
• Financial Proforma Development and Modeling
• Claims Management and Schedule Delay Analysis
• Project Productivity and Predictability
• PV Modeling, Energy Assessments and Energy Storage

SOFTWARE PROFICIENCIES

• Working knowledge of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Scheduling applications including Primavera and Microsoft Project.
• Financial modeling and proformas developed in-house
• PV modeling and energy assessments including PlantPredict
• Artificial Intelligence applications and modeling techniques including VP-Expert and IDEF0