Jeff began work with Watson Millican & Co. in July 2013. He has over 30 years of manufacturing, operating, and consulting experience in the energy and metal component fabrication industries, including refining, chemicals, facility construction, and industrial equipment manufacturing.

Jeff has worked or consulted in diverse areas such as industrial incident investigations, large construction disputes, business interruption and property damage claims, refinery operations and maintenance, worldwide refinery performance assessment and improvement, refinery turnaround performance improvement, capital project construction and cost control, and industrial property tax appraisal support.

Jeff has also provided expert testimony in a AAA construction arbitration.

Qualifications

• B.S. Mechanical Engineering – Kansas State University
• M.S. Industrial Engineering – Kansas State University
• M.B.A. – Southern Methodist University

Designations

• Licensed Professional Engineer (Mechanical) in Texas

Expertise

• Construction disputes, Process plant engineering, Construction, Reliability and maintenance, Piping and equipment design, Piping, Structural steel, Equipment fabrication and quality control, Procurement, Estimating and cost control, Capital project management

Industries

• Refining and petrochemicals, Natural gas

Example Engagements

• AAA Petrochemical Facility Construction Arbitration – Analyzed issues related to detailed engineering completion, quality and maturity of the plant’s piping engineering design, and reporting of detailed engineering progress on behalf of the construction contractor. The construction contractor worked with its joint venture engineering and procurement partner on behalf of the owner to design and construct a $2.0 billion petrochemical facility in south Texas. Performed detailed analysis of the nature and timing of Issued for Construction piping engineering deliverables to the construction contractor and revisions of the same. Performed a first level causation analysis to determine whether piping engineering isometric changes were due to the engineering contractor, the owner, or the construction contractor. Assessed the completeness and maturity of the detailed engineering deliverables relative to the completion progress being reported for the same and the performance of the works with reference to the industry standards, contractual specifications & procedures, and common industry practice. Prepared a Certificate of Merit, an expert report detailing the basis of opinions and findings and provided evidence at the hearing.
• ICC Refinery Revamp and Expansion Construction Arbitration – Analyzed issues related to cost estimation, detailed engineering design services, engineering productivity, and project controls on behalf of the EPC contractor. The EPC contractor worked on behalf of the owner to design and construct a $6.0 billion refinery expansion project in Colombia. Assessed owner allegations and the performance of engineering services with reference to industry standards, contractual specifications & procedures, and common industry practice. Analyzed the issuance and completeness of piping engineering isometrics, process engineering and structural steel engineering deliverables. Contributing consultant in the development of an expert report, supplemental reports, and joint expert reports detailing the basis of opinions and findings.
• ICC Refinery Construction Arbitration – Analyzed issues related to detailed design quality and completion, quality assurance and control, subcontractor management and reporting, and alleged project defects on newly constructed and revamped unit systems on behalf of the EPC contractor. The EPC contractor was responsible for the design and construction a €1.1 billion refinery expansion project in Portugal. Assessed the allegations and the performance of the works with reference to the industry standards, contractual specifications & procedures, and common industry practice. Consulting contributor in the preparation of an expert report detailing results of the analyses, supporting evidence, and basis of opinions.
• Industrial Construction Litigation – Analyzed issues related to scope definition, scope growth, and the adequacy of detailed engineering deliverables necessary for efficient work execution by an EPC contractor during a refinery maintenance turnaround. Assessed EPC contractor claims against the facility Owner, including development of an expert report and deposition testimony.
• Industrial Construction Litigation and Arbitration – Assessed project variations and change in work scope claims on gas and liquid processing facilities associated with a large gas pipeline construction project in Australia with reference to the contractual documents, owner instructions, and normal industry practice. Investigated mechanical subcontractor claims related to construction of a new gas processing plant involving cost overruns and completion delays associated with late engineering, unexpected site conditions, late delivery of materials, changes in work scope, and rework. Reported details on findings and the basis of opinions in support of client’s claims.

Senior Consulting Associate

jeff.mcreynolds@WatsonMillican.com

(972) 578-7980

700 Central Expressway South

Suite 425

Allen, TX 75013