In this personal injury case, a refinery heater damaged beyond repair during a hurricane was being dismantled when sparks from the cutting tool ignited oil spilling from the heater tubes. We were asked to identify the cause and responsibilities for the incident, which required our review of regulations, industry standards, and company/contractor safe work practices. Baker & O’Brien presented our opinions in an expert report and provided deposition testimony supporting the dispute resolution.

A refinery sold diesel derived from co-processed renewable feedstocks that customers later claimed damaged vehicle engines and contaminated storage tanks; poor cold-flow properties were suspected. Baker & O’Brien’s consultants stepped in and evaluated the refinery's production and blending methods and subsequent corrective actions. Our expert report facilitated the dispute resolution.

A surge in natural gas production sparked increased competition for blending butane into gasoline, and a competitor who established operations upstream in the value chain displaced an existing blender. To help resolve the resultant dispute, Baker & O’Brien developed a comprehensive economic model of a butane blending business, discounting the projected cash flows to calculate the net present value. Our analysis was summarized in two expert reports and used in commercial damages claims and settlement negotiations.