Expertise Definition
Law firm partners and associates typically come to us with a good idea of the expertise they need. We work with the best, after all.
Complex feats of engineering are, by definition, not cut and dried. In the upstream energy industry, disputes are often as complex as the projects themselves.
Sometimes you simply need an expert with experience of a certain kind of rig, plant, equipment or process. But often the role you think might be the most qualified for your job only understands part of the story. We can add a lot of value early on in the case by helping you identify where the problems arise. Thanks to our PRIMA methodology, we’ve written the book on many kinds of upstream projects.
Like fingerprints, every case is unique. With years of dispute resolution experience, specific to the energy industry, we can advise you on the technical components that go into a winning strategy.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help your next case.
“Epeus is a highly regarded project management consultancy, that continues to attain and exceed my expectations.”
Fiona Bannister, Technical Services Manager, Centrica Energy Upstream
"We brought you guys in to scare us into action, and you delivered in buckets.”
Don Jacobsen, EVP, Shell
“Epeus understands the key requirements that are needed to achieve successful rig startups. Their personnel have deep experience and are knowledgeable in the areas of rig delivery.”
Brian Hay, Director, Rig Engineering, Global Wells Organization, BP
“Whenever we’ve needed Epeus personnel, they’ve always got there fast—anywhere in the world.”
Sachin Mehra, Vice-President, Asset Management, Valaris (ENSCO)
“The rigorous approach of Epeus’s project readiness review service quickly gave us a set of robust and independent insights into the state of readiness of our field development project. The findings proved to be extremely valuable.”
Leonardo Adami, Director, Petroleum Equity
“The bondholders appreciate the candour and view you guys provided. It was one of the key ingredients to getting consensus on the overall transaction.”
Ken Becker, Director, AMA Capital
"We needed knowledge and experience of a large complex project environment and leadership for our onsite technical team to get us across the finish line. Epeus stepped up to help us implement our project strategy with good discipline."
Peter Anson, Director, Projects and Sites Energy Business Unit, Valmet Technologies Oyj.
“Your expert's knowledge was outstanding, the report was professional, and his courtroom experience shone through during cross-examination. Great job.”
John Deis, Partner, Hicks Thomas LLP
“The Epeus team helped us to understand the complexities associated with a new build rig project and a new North Sea contractor startup."
Andrew Lough, Culzean Wells Project Manager, Maersk Oil
“Epeus’s approach allowed us to fully analyse our options, integrate the rig construction period into our Culzean Project and feel more confident as we progressed towards the start of our drilling campaign.”
Andrew Lough, Culzean Wells Project Manager, Maersk Oil
SNAPSHOT
- CLAIM SIZE $120m
- LAW FIRM Confidential (for the defendant)
- JURISDICTION LCIA rules
Arbitration over the alleged botched FPSO conversion
The claim, arising from the hull repair of an FPSO vessel operating in West African waters, was based on engineering and construction methodology. Initially asked for one kind of expert, we suggested another approach which helped the client see the whole picture. Retained as an expert witness, we provided an opinion on the quantum of the claim and the project management approach of the vessel owner.
Read full story: Seeing the bigger picture
Find out moreJack-up construction claims
Our client called us when the construction of a new jack-up rig in Asia went wrong. The project experienced major changes, several delays, and engineering issues and major changes, so we were brought in to provide independent reviews of both how the changes were managed and the new rig design, alongside quantity surveys and expert witness reports.
SNAPSHOT
- CLAIM SIZE $100m
- LAW FIRM Confidential
- JURISDICTION LCIA rules
SNAPSHOT
- CLAIM SIZE $50m
- LAW FIRM Slaughter & May / KPMG (for the defendant)
- JURISDICTION N/A
Construction of ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig
This dispute involved the investigation and negotiation of claims arising from the termination of a drilling topsides construction contract. The claims were mainly construction progress, variations to scope of work, and quantum based. The dispute was settled favourably for our client after our findings were presented.
Alleged failure to remedy material breach
It’s vital that equipment is maintained in a safe and operational state, so when the managers of a semi-submersible drilling rig were found to have failed to repair certain plant equipment, they were in breach of their contract. The agreement provided a cure period for the breach, so we were engaged to assess whether or not it was possible to repair the plant and equipment within the cure period and whether the rig managers had the right level of competence to effectively manage the repairs.
SNAPSHOT
- CLAIM SIZE $50m
- LAW FIRM DLA Piper, UK (for the defendant)
- JURISDICTION Scottish Law Litigation