Jim was one of the founders of Watson Millican & Co. in 2007. He has over 40 years of operating and consulting experience in the energy industry including oil and gas production, pipelines, refining, chemicals, logistics, and power generation.

Jim initially worked in the upstream as an oil and gas well logging and completion engineer. Subsequently, he worked for two major oil companies in a progression of assignments with increasing responsibility ranging from engineering, maintenance and operations management, and economics and supply management in refining and with roles as business development manager in refining and chemicals, and as corporate planning manager reporting to the CFO and CEO. In 2000, Jim started his new career as a consulting engineer.

Jim has provided expert testimony on numerous matters at State and Federal court, appraisal review boards, government agencies, mediations, and domestic and international arbitrations.

Qualifications

• B.S. Mechanical Engineering – Southern Methodist University – Magna cum Laude
• M.B.A. – University of Dallas

Designations

• Licensed Professional Engineer – Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Virginia
• Accredited Senior Appraiser – American Society of Appraisers

Expertise

• Construction disputes, Incident investigations, Contract disputes, Environmental releases and liability, Industrial property tax appraisal, Acquisition and divestitures, Business interruption and property damage, Process plant historical operating practices, Refinery operating and maintenance, and Capital investment review

Industries

• Refining, Chemicals, Oil and gas production, Pipelines, Storage, Logistics, NGLs, and Power generation

Example Engagements

• Refinery and Chemical Plant Contract Disputes – Assessed the financial magnitude and contract basis for numerous claims of non-compliance and non-performance with contracts between adjacent refineries and chemical plants. Issues included feedstock transfers, pricing, expense allocations, material balance, and reporting across the U.S.
• SIAC Refinery and Petrochemical Plant Arbitration – Analysed numerous claims and counterclaims concerning the design engineering, construction and commissioning of a green field world-scale refinery and petrochemical facility on behalf of the contractor consortium. Acted as the lead of a cross-functional team of experts. Numerous expert reports and rebuttal reports issued. Participated in four hearings spanning a total of twelve weeks.
• LCIA Refinery Construction Re-Build Arbitration – Analysed claims brought by the refinery purchaser against the seller associated with a crude vacuum unit fire event and resulting reconstruction efforts on behalf of the seller. Assisted with the identification of major delay milestones resulting in the elongation of reconstruction activities. Prepared expert reports detailing the basis of opinions and findings and provided testimony to the Tribunal.
• ICC Crude Oil Pipeline Design and Construction Dispute – Evaluated the design requirements and actual construction of a 1,000 kilometre large diameter crude oil pipeline in Central America for ICC arbitration between the pipeline owner and the engineering and construction contractor. Provided expert opinions to arbitration panel.
• Industrial Accident Investigation and Litigation – Investigated numerous industrial accidents, major equipment failures, explosions, fires, including fatalities. Topics include roles and responsibilities for contractors, owners and operators regarding work and safety practices, procedures, and safety regulations. Industries include refineries, chemical plants, power plants, paper mills, surface mining, retail gasoline stations and other industrial work sites.
• Business Interruption and Property Damage Claims – Prepared and evaluated the financial losses arising from numerous accidents and incidents that occurred at refineries, chemical plants, power plants, pipelines, and other facilities. Investigated and quantified the monetary value for the business interruption and property damage incurred and assisted clients in the successful resolution of the claims whether through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.
• Valuation Of Refinery, Chemicals, Natural Gas Processing, Pipeline, Storage, Terminals, Ethanol Facilities – Prepared valuations of and provided testimony for numerous facilities for purposes of ad-valorem tax, acquisitions and divestitures on behalf of owners, buyers, sellers, and taxing entities.
• Environmental Contamination From Industrial Sites – Evaluated operating and maintenance practices, both current and historical, that led to ground and groundwater contamination at various refinery, chemical plant, and crude oil and petroleum product sites across the U.S.
• Government Regulatory Agencies – Provided expert testimony before government agencies regulating the energy industry such as the Pipeline Hazardous and Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Hurricane Damage Assessments – Performed physical inspection and developed estimated cost of loss and repair caused by storm and flood damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to power generating plants and electrical distribution systems across southern Louisiana and Texas with specific emphasis in the greater New Orleans area.

Managing Partner

jim.watson@WatsonMillican.com

(972) 578-7980

700 Central Expressway South

Suite 425

Allen, TX 75013