Pipeline Expert Witnesses

What is a pipeline expert witness?

Pipeline expert witness candidates are typically professional engineers with backgrounds and expertise in pipeline construction, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, and/or civil engineering. Piping expert witnesses can provide support on matters related to corrosion, pipeline construction, and/or pipeline leaks. Often, the expert is a member of industry organizations such as the Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL), Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI), the Pipeline Industries Guild, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), and/or the American Petroleum Institute.

What types of cases require a pipeline expert witness?

A subject matter expert in pipeline technology and programs might be called upon to provide expert testimony in a class action litigation cases, intellectual property disputes, personal injury matters, or public health investigations.

Pipeline expert witness case examples

On behalf of the plaintiff or defendant, Cahn Litigation Services has completed numerous searches for expert witnesses with specialized knowledge in pipeline issues, including cases involving:

• pipeline integrity,
• construction defect,
• construction safety,
• natural gas pipeline, and
• pipeline safety.

What litigation support work might a pipeline expert witness be expected to perform?

Litigation support services by a pipeline expert witness could include failure analyses, arbitration, providing expert opinions, research and authoring expert reports, depositions, and expert witness testimony in court. In a high-profile case, or litigation involving a significant financial stake, a law firm may request a qualified expert with prior expert witness experience. In addition, clients may seek a pipeline expert for pre-litigation consulting work.

Cahn Litigation Services has the experience required to turn a search for a pipeline expert witness around quickly, providing the right balance of expertise and testimony experience.

Related Disciplines

Pipeline Expert Witness - Representative Bios

Please Note: All Cahn Litigation expert witness searches are customized to attorneys' precise specifications and preferences. Attorneys are encouraged to discuss search parameters with a Cahn search specialist.

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The below expert witness bios represent a small fraction of those Pipeline experts known by Cahn Litigation Services. These bios are provided to give lawyers a sense of the Pipeline landscape.

• Expert Witness #210598

  This expert, besides being a Full-Professor of mechanical engineering, has performed engineering analysis and provided expert witness testimony and consulting, including validity/invalidity arguments in patent infringement litigation, in the areas of Mechanical Design, Stress Analysis and Materials. The focus of this expert's graduate research was on vessels (read pipes) under high pressure and flanges (read couplings) to join the vessels. This expert has also been involved in cases involving various types of piping as well as the failure of clamps and couplings used for connecting piping under internal pressure. As a Professor of Mechanical Engineering with specialization in the areas of design, materials science, and failure analysis, this expert teaches concepts needed for design of couplings.

  
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• Expert Witness #227074

  This expert holds a PhD in Metallurgy and brings to the table many years of experience in the areas of materials engineering, failure analysis and engineering investigations. This expert’s doctoral research dealt with safely containing hazardous, explosive materials and this is also true for much of this expert’s industrial consulting work. This expert has direct experience with grey cast iron in terms of pipeline corrosion and prediction of fatigue life in cast iron vessels.

  This expert’s code related work has involved pressure vessel and pipeline codes. This work has involved assessing old cast iron pressure vessels for conformance to current codes. Below is a summary of example work experience:

  Cast iron experience:

  1.  Life estimate for buried pipe
  2. Water main failure in river crossing
  3. Stray current induced corrosion failure

  Metallurgical/Fatigue Life for gray cast iron:

  1. Remaining life prediction for very old dryers
  2. Fitness for service on old paper mill dryer drums
  3. Failure prediction in check valve bodies
  4. Failure of brake drums

  Code Experience:

  1.  Repair procedures for damaged batch digesters
  2. Life prediction for dryers and dryer drums
  3. Butane gas line explosion
  4. Steam piping analysis and failures
  5. Refrigeration line failures
  6. API/ASME 579 Fitness for Service experience

  Risk for Natural Gas Transport:

  This expert’s graduate course work and dissertation dealt with preventing explosions (liquid natural gas). Much of this expert’s professional experience has involved efforts to prevent explosions or determining why explosions occurred. This is a poorly understood problem and one that many companies are ignoring. This expert has directed NDT or inspection efforts in a number of different applications.

  
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• Expert Witness #235964

  This expert is an Energy Economist with strong public utility experience and a solid understanding of Utility rate design, Pipeline rate design and how they work together. This expert regularly provides advice on cost allocation, pricing, cost of capital and regulatory accounting policy reform, and market design issues to utilities, private energy firms, independent system operators and energy regulatory commissions both domestic and international. This expert has provided expert testimony before state public utility commissions on electricity and natural gas rate design, marginal cost analysis, electricity rate structures, reforms to tariffs for customers with distributed generation and net metering and efficient power contract design.  

  
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• Expert Witness #244701

  This expert is a Professional Engineer with experience in drilling and completions engineering and operations management, as well as proven expertise in optimizing well design, planning and operations for drilling. This expert has a solid track record of providing high level engineering design, operations management and substantial cost saving. Accomplished in drilling optimization, performance improvement and Technical Limit process, this expert has designed and constructed vertical, directional, and horizontal wells for oil and gas production and environmental remediation; as well as horizontal bores for pipeline installations and utility crossings. As a skilled team leader and mentor with strong ability to coach and motivate junior staff; prioritize and manage multiple concurrent activities meeting deadlines and financial objectives, this expert's proactive approach ensures job quality, workplace safety, regulatory compliance and environment protection. This expert has performed numerous analyses to determine the mechanisms that cause failures of drill bits, downhole tools, tubulars, rig structures, assemblies, components, and overall drilling systems. This expert has prior litigation experience, having written reports and been deposed, but has yet to have the pleasure of testifying in court.

  
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• Expert Witness #260804

  This expert is a land use / land planning expert with a particular focus on planned communities. Development and management of thousand-acre tracts requires specific expertise in mineral rights easements and leases, permitting, entitlement, use priority, and environmental sensitivity. This expert has specific experience in civil construction projects including roadways, well construction, pipeline laying, trench safety, and excavation. This expert provides technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial claims and personal injury litigation involving land planning, permitting, real estate acquisitions and development, construction practices, premises and construction site safety, civil engineering, and project management. This expert has expert witness experience.

  
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• Expert Witness #261279

  This expert has worked in the energy industry for many years completing assignments encompassing the entire energy value chain. This expert was responsible for reservoir engineering evaluations associated with exploration and development projects, assessment of the economic value of acquisition and divestiture activities, analysis of natural gas shut in strategies, pipeline/plant engineering design, pipeline/plant construction and operations management of existing production properties. This expert was in domestic crude oil trading and marketing. In the crude trading group, this expert evaluated transportation logistics, analyzed the operations of refineries, assessed the commercial aspects of potential mergers and asset trades, and formulated options and futures strategies.

  This expert has been involved in a wide variety of assignments and is frequently retained to advise clients on both technical and commercial issues related to mergers, asset transactions, project development and start up, bankruptcy/workout, and dispute resolution. This expert has experience in the transportation, processing, refining, marketing, and electrical generation sectors.

  Throughout the course of this expert's consulting career, this expert has advised clients on both technical and commercial issues related to mergers, asset transactions, project development, business start-ups, bankruptcy/workout, and dispute resolution.

  This expert has experience in the transportation, processing, refining, marketing, and electrical generation sectors and brings many years of direct experience in the energy industry including project evaluation, development, and management; operations management; and contract evaluation/negotiation.

  This expert is a frequent speaker at national and international energy industry conferences and is the author of 25 papers and presentations covering the industry's technical, economic, and commercial matters.

  
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• Expert Witness #261290

  This expert began a career supporting operations in an integrated petrochemical complex. This expert held engineering as well as business management positions. This expert moved up the oil and gas value chain, into the midstream sector. As Manager of Natural Gas Engineering and Project Management, this expert led the development of a midstream infrastructure to support the growth in upstream operations a shale play. As Director of Engineering and Pipeline Operations, this expert led the pipeline design, engineering, construction, and commissioning as well as operations and maintenance activities. Development activities included pipeline, gathering, and storage assets for crude oil and gas. This expert draws on diverse experiences in the midstream and downstream sectors to provides analyses of both technical and economic issues and advise clients regarding interests in the energy sector.

  
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• Expert Witness #217419

  This mechanical design and structural engineer expert holds a Ph.D. and P.E. credential and is an accomplished engineering executive with over 25 years of experience in failure analysis, mechanical systems, and forensic engineering. As a senior leader at a forensic engineering and investigation firm, this expert oversees complex technical investigations and provides strategic guidance on high-value litigation and international arbitration involving mechanical engineering, applied mechanics, aviation, and rail issues.

  Widely recognized as a subject matter expert, this expert combines deep technical knowledge with practical field experience. This expert integrates mechanical design review, regulatory compliance, and engineering analysis to resolve disputes across infrastructure, energy, and transportation sectors. Areas of expertise include the mechanical behavior of materials, system reliability, and safety assessments, with experience involving pipelines, aircraft, industrial machinery, and power generation components.

  The team includes a seasoned mechanical engineer with P.E., MS, MBA, and CFSE credentials and over 30 years of experience applying knowledge of mechanical systems to analyze failures, assess system reliability, and optimize condition monitoring programs across a wide range of industries. This expert's work spans critical infrastructure in refineries, power plants, chemical facilities, pipelines, and HVAC systems, often in support of litigation, product recalls, IP claims, and construction disputes. Technical expertise includes mechanical and piping systems such as valves, compressors, pumps, turbines, boilers, heat exchangers, and control systems. This expert is proficient in advanced tools and software for Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), SCADA systems, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), and diagnostics such as cavitation and water hammer analysis. In the oil and gas sector, this expert has conducted structural and fatigue analyses for downhole tools and led R&D initiatives related to component design and failure prevention. This expert has also developed procedures, delivered technical training, and authored best practices on wear, fatigue, and lifecycle integrity.

  The team also includes a Senior Consultant with a Ph.D. and a strong background in material science and failure analysis across oil and gas, industrial, and biomaterials applications. This expert's expertise spans component failure investigation, material fatigue, metallurgical selection, and root cause analysis, with a focus on pipeline integrity and corrosion mitigation. This expert has led a wide range of technical projects, including the development of field testing and sampling protocols, the qualification of novel production chemistries, and the design and commissioning of field-testing and pigging facilities. This expert has worked extensively on in-line inspections (ILI) for pipeline compliance and the development of integrity management plans, particularly for internal and external corrosion threats in oil and gas operations. This expert combines deep technical knowledge with hands-on engineering insight, offering a comprehensive approach to solving complex problems in materials performance, failure prevention, and asset integrity.

  This expert and the team are experienced expert witnesses and litigation consultants.

  
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• Expert Witness #244671

  This mechanical engineer and pipeline expert is a seasoned Mechanical Engineer with over 55 years of domestic and international experience across energy and related industries. This expert is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in over 10 states with expertise in oil and gas, pipeline systems, safety protocols, and mechanical design. This expert is a certified safety expert with specialized training in oil and gas facilities, refining, and construction operations. As an instructor, this expert has taught energy-related courses, including drilling operations and oil and gas safety, through energy training providers and a well-regarded university. This expert has authored technical manuals, industry papers, and computer programs and holds over 10 U.S. patents for downhole equipment innovations.

  This expert has over 35 years of litigation experience and has provided legal testimony in matters related to oil and gas well drilling, blowout prevention, pipeline design, power generation, and mechanical systems. This expert also has significant experience in product liability, personal injury analysis, and accident reconstruction.

  
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• Expert Witness #277491

  This oil & gas industry expert has held senior board leadership roles at an energy consultancy firm and has over 30 years of industry experience. As a consultant, this expert has worked on a broad range of assignments in the downstream sector around the world. This expert has provided expert testimony in international and domestic arbitration, U.S. Federal court, U.S. state court, and the English High Court of Justice. This expert has also provided extensive expert testimony in regulatory proceedings before energy regulators in Canada, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and U.S. state regulatory agencies. Prior to consulting, this expert worked for a petroleum company for over 10 years in a variety of refinery and headquarters positions.

  This expert has provided expert testimony supporting several applications for multibillion-dollar crude oil pipeline projects in the U.S. and Canada, as well as numerous smaller crude oil pipeline projects. The testimony primarily concerned the economic and commercial merits of the pipeline projects.

  This expert holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas. This expert has also provided expert testimony regarding various commercial and market issues relating to pipeline rates and tolls for crude oil and refined product pipelines before Canadian energy regulators and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Additionally, this expert has executed numerous engagements involving market, commercial, and competitive dynamics of various pipeline transportation options.

  
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• Expert Witness #284166

  This oil and gas supply management expert founded a consultancy that helps companies, investors, and governments develop resilient, agile, sustainable, and secure supply chains. The consultancy has analyzed contracting procedures for gas pipeline allocations and operations as part of an assessment of the comparability of natural gas marketing, operations, pricing, contracting, and maintenance to their equivalents in oil and coal supply chains, highlighting differences between the industries.

  This expert has identified potential sources of discrepancy in measured quantities of resin delivered under a supply contract and suggested the most likely causes of the variances. The product was shipped in bulk and weighed via scales, silos of material were released via calibrated meters, and the manufacturing operation used backflushed quantities of resin to quantify the discrepancies.

  This expert led a multi-year project assessing technological, economic, and operational issues affecting the supply of gas and oil. The scope included flowmeters, line pipe, OCTG, valves, compressors, surveillance drones, and other pipeline equipment and services.

  This expert has experience creating an oil and gas pipeline study that analyzed competitive dynamics in the oil and gas pipeline market and quantified and forecast pipe needs by pressure, size, and metallurgy, based on a bottom-up database of pipe projects in the United States.

  
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• Expert Witness #285518

  This pipeline integrity/failure analysis expert is a respected oil and gas industry expert with over 35 years of mechanical engineering experience and international recognition for consulting and technical research involving major oil-spill response work and large-scale infrastructure seismic retrofit work. This expert is a dynamic communicator who can explain complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely to nonprofessionals and in litigation settings, and has served as a highly valued expert witness.

  This expert's team has assisted in hundreds of legal matters involving class action lawsuits, product liability, subrogation, construction defect, and intellectual property. This expert has worked with both plaintiff and defense counsel, contributed to matters involving substantial awards, prepared detailed incident reports for litigation, and testified in deposition and trial settings.

  This expert leads a prominent scientific expert consultancy that serves legal, insurance, government, and corporate clients. This expert has consulted on hundreds of critical, high-profile projects involving pipeline integrity, bridge seismic retrofit work, oil-spill analysis, structural collapse, transportation fire analysis, and pipeline explosions, among other matters.

  
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• Expert Witness #290312

  This pipeline safety and engineering expert is a senior engineering leader at an engineering consulting firm, following an impressive over 20-year tenure at a major energy and petrochemical company with responsibility for fixed equipment engineering across over 10 domestic and international facilities and subject-matter expertise in fixed and static equipment.

  This expert is a Professional Engineer with over 35 years of experience and is a recognized authority in fixed and static equipment selection, maintenance, best practices, and implementation, with extensive experience in corporate governance.

  
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• Expert Witness #293087

  This economic regulation and liquid pipeline transport expert is a director at an economic consulting firm and has over 15 years of experience in the economic regulation of liquid pipeline transportation and storage, including expert witness, consultant, and regulator roles.

  This expert previously worked as an energy industry analyst for a federal energy regulator, addressing economic issues of throughput and economic obsolescence in numerous matters. As a consultant, this expert advises government and private clients on liquid product logistics economic issues, including analysis of economic rate regulation, competition analysis, shipper access, custody, title, and jurisdictional matters.

  This expert has strong experience testifying as an expert on economic issues related to petroleum and petroleum products transportation and related services before regulatory and court tribunals, including valuation of crude oil transportation facilities in cases before state regulators in California and Alaska. Valuation work in multiple matters before a state assessment review board addressed ad valorem tax assessment issues and economic obsolescence.

  This expert has extensive experience with the FERC Oil Pipeline Index, which governs annual adjustments to regulated rates on natural gas liquids pipelines. Expert witness experience includes multiple depositions, including in federal district court, as well as multiple rounds of prepared testimony or reports, cross-examination, and live direct testimony.

  
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• Expert Witness #296553

  This oil and gas industry expert is a P.E. who has over 15 years of specialized experience in the oil and gas energy industry, with extensive experience in transportation, integrity management, safety, processing and refining, and Process Safety Management (PSM).

  This expert has practical, hands-on expertise in failure analysis of varied systems, integrating process and operational data, repair records, and relevant technical documentation. This expert's approach is grounded in direct experience operating, designing, and maintaining oil and gas assets, which informs analysis through real-world application rather than solely theoretical knowledge.

  This expert specializes in pipeline integrity management and inspections, including pipeline IM, ILI, DA, and hydro testing. Over more than 15 years, this expert has developed extensive experience managing, designing, and executing inspection schedules and conducting inspections, including ILI, DA, and hydro testing, for both liquid and gas pipeline assets.

  This expert has also been responsible for pipeline integrity management programs during asset purchases and divestitures, including integrating programs after a large pipeline acquisition. That work included comprehensive review of multiple programs, industry regulations and best practices, and asset condition to make recommendations for safe and compliant asset management.

  As a consultant, this expert frequently evaluates current asset condition, considers best practices and regulations, and makes recommendations to pipeline operators regarding right-sized and cost-conscious solutions suited to their operations.

  This expert is an experienced expert witness and litigation consultant.

  
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• Expert Witness #296581

  This oil refinery/process engineering expert team includes P.E.-credentialed professionals with experience in Front End Engineering, refinery operations support, liquid pipeline systems, accident and incident investigations, and expert witness work.

  One member of the team holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and has over 20 years of experience in Front End Engineering and refinery operations support. This expert has experience in production and testing from work at refinery facilities, including participation in management-of-change processes within tank farm operations involving product blending and testing for #2 Fuel Oil and other products. Additional work involved field data collection as part of a rebuild following a major incident, including tank farm and truck loading areas for #2 Fuel Oil, crude fuel, and diesel fuel.

  Another member of the team has over 30 years of experience with various liquid pipeline systems, including crude oil, propane, and fuel products. This expert has served on multiple company accident and incident investigation teams addressing pipeline and facility issues nationwide. This expert has also served as an expert witness for more than five years, including in binding arbitration and state and federal civil cases.

  
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• Expert Witness #303609

  This energy economics expert holds a PhD and has experience as an economist in a federal energy regulatory agency's administrative litigation office, supporting numerous matters involving interstate natural gas transportation, tariff compliance, and rate design. In that role, this expert provided expert support on protested interstate transmission tariff applications for natural gas transmission companies and assisted in evaluating complex issues related to landfill-sourced natural gas transportation.

  These engagements required detailed assessments of transportation cost structures, careful interpretation of pipeline tariff provisions, and analysis of how capacity rights and secondary-market transactions influence customer charges and system operations. This expert has also analyzed California's retail natural gas rates, further broadening expertise across wholesale and retail gas markets.

  
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