FTS Expands With New Houston Presence
In order to better serve our clients, FTS recently launched a Technical Services
group based in Houston. Core mission for the group is to oversee overall project
coordination, respond to client requests and assure that needs and expectations
are met each and every time.
Comprised of technical service managers, technical experts and support personnel,
the group perform a series of specific functions that include:
- Developing scopes of inspection activities and objectives.
- Providing high level reporting of project status.
- Tracking and reporting costs and schedules.
- Providing information and guidance to field crews to ensure that the required work is complete and accurate.
- Meeting with clients to answer questions, transmit information and resolve any issues.
- Ensuring that projects are carried out in compliance with FTS, client and national codes and standards.
- Participating in final project review meetings to assure overall client satisfaction.
Each manager is responsible for the coordination of projects within a particular service
region. This includes acting as a liaison between client and inspectors, working with FTS
inspectors and ensuring that technical support is available when needed.
THE HOUSTON TECHNICIAL SERVICES TEAM
Stephen Cooper, Director Technical Services
Stephen has over 15 years experience in the oil and gas inspection industry. His
background includes experience in project management, inspection turnaround planning
and estimating, development of pipeline integrity management programs, development
and overseeing of API 510, 570 and 653 inspection programs as well as involvement
with the development and application of high end non-destructive inspection technologies.
Stephen offers a strong technical and managerial background which includes a bachelor’s
degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration.
Brent Morrison, Technical Services Manager
Brent has more than 16 years experience in the oil and gas industry. His experience
includes project management, pressure system engineering and design, relief system
engineering and design, inspection turnaround planning and estimating, turnaround
management, equipment inspection, construction oversight, and mechanical integrity
program auditing and development. Brent’s technical background includes a bachelor’s
degree in mechanical engineering technology, API 510 and 570
certifications as well as ASNT Level II certifications.
Brent has been with FTS since early in 1999. He is an essential technical
resource for both office and field personnel and has been instrumental in organizing and
implementing office and field quality systems. He consults regularly with various
clients on situations regarding pressure equipment rerate and repair. Brent’s extensive
knowledge of pressure vessel design made him especially suited to his appointment
as Chief Engineer for establishing the fixed equipment basis-of-design for the
ConocoPhillips Los Angeles Refinery.
Larry Ashlock, Technical Services Manager
Larry has more than 26 years experience in oil and gas inspection and fabrication
industry. His vast experience includes project management, inspection turnaround
planning and estimating, acting as a lead turnaround inspector, providing shop
surveillance inspection, and auditing vendor programs. His technical background
includes certifications in API 510, 570 and 653. He previously held CWI certification.
Larry has been assigned to BP America Projects with FTS since early 2005. Prior to
working on BP NAG projects, Larry acted as a Project Quality Control Manager for
ConocoPhillips in Ponca City, OK. andLake Charles, LA., as well as the fabrication shop
Quality Control Manager at J&H Industries in Sapulpa, OK.
Steve Moore, Technical Services Manager
Steve has more than 26 years experience in the oil and gas industry. His far-reaching
experience includes; field operations, plant and well operations, project management,
inspection, acting as a lead inspector, and auditing inspection programs. Steve also has
an extensive technical background, which includes certifications in API 510, 570 and 653,
as well as ASNT Level II certifications. Prior to coming to FTS, Steve was with BP and
Amoco Production Company in various positions.
John Bailey, Systems Integration Manager
John Bailey has 18 years experience as a degreed Mechanical Engineer in the oil and gas
and other production environments. His experience includes design, analysis and repair
of fixed equipment, project management, and system development. He has been responsible
for analysis of piping, pressure vessel and other fixed equipment issues. He also is a
certified Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) facilitator, and has organized and led PHA studies
at various Amoco production facilities. John has extensive project management experience
utilizing proven methodologies, which are enhanced by his Project Management Professional
certification through the Project Management Institute.
At FTS, John has been associated with BP America NAG projects since 2004, where he was
instrumental in the development of the RTS/MIMS system, the Well Integrity System, and
other process improvements. Prior to that, he played a significant role in the development
of the FTS Positive Material Identification system, which is a patented, state-of-the-art
system for management of alloy analysis data in production or other manufacturing environments.
John is consistently recognized for thinking “out of the box” in developing improved systems
and approaches to improve efficiency and solve various problems encountered in office,
production, refinery processes and other areas.
John will continue to provide support to IT resources, manage client-driven projects, and
provide Action and Unsafe Reports as well as updates to the ScoreCards.
Bob Brewer, Technical Services Manager
Bob Brewer has more than 31 years experience in the oil and gas industry. Bob began
as an ultrasonic technician who was promoted to storage tank, fired heaters, piping
and pressure vessel inspections for routine on-stream maintenance, turnarounds and
new construction in various refineries across the country. Over the years his experience
has grown to include turnaround supervision and project management, equipment inspection,
construction oversight, coordination of fabrication shop inspections and management
of specialized inspection contractors.
Bob also has an extensive technical background, which includes certifications in
API 510, 570 and 653, as well as NDE certifications. Bob was certified by the National
Board as a Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspector, along with earning a Bachelors
Degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining the FTS Technical Services team,
he was a Senior Inspector and Project Engineering Technical Specialist with Sunoco
in Tulsa where, among other responsibilities, he planned and coordinated inspection
activities for various process units, fabrication shop inspections and performed
in-service repair and alteration inspections as defined by the National Board Inspection
Code.
Larry Clowers, Technical Services Manager
Larry Clowers has amassed some 30 years experience, starting his career as a certified
pipe welder working with carbon steel and alloy metals for maintenance and turnarounds.
Larry worked up through the oil and gas industry certification process, becoming
an API 510/570/653 Inspector and an AWS Certified Welding Inspector before being
named Senior Inspector for the Lyondell-Citgo Refining Company. His responsibilities
included supervision of API 510/570/653 and NDE inspectors, coordinating external
and internal inspections of pressure vessels, piping systems and refinery tankage
per regulatory agency requirements, along with turnaround coordination and conducting
corrosion monitor surveys.
As an integral part of the FTS team, Larry develops the scope of inspection activities
and objectives for projects and project proposals, interfacing with the client to
ensure that objectives are met. He provides information and guidance to field crews
ensuring that required work is complete, accurate and in compliance with FTS, client
and national standards and ASME/ANSI codes. At FTS Larry also assists with new client
development.
