Services

"I have worked with John for over 35 Years. His knowledge and innovative thinking in Metallurgical and ASME Code-related issues have always been right on. I have enjoyed our relationship and been able to use his expertise to solve many of my problems."

~ Michael Berry, President - Gulf States Industrial Services, LLC.

Instructional Seminars and Classes

From experience gained since founding Gulfex, Inc. in 1966, John has acquired a wealth of knowledge in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, pressure vessel design, fabrication techniques, inspection requirements, repairs, alterations and rerating of pressure vessels. He teaches seminars to engineers worldwide. The topics he covers are not found in any university courses or textbooks. He has presented multi-day classes through the Petroleum Institute for Continuing Education (Now RPS) and Petroskills. Since 2007, he had made presentations to Peerless Manufacturing, National Oilwell Varco of Norway, Koch Specialty Plant Services, Petronas of Malaysia, and the Boardman Company in Oklahoma City.

Metallurgy

Since studying metallurgy at Rice University, John has developed a background of knowledge to determine what steels and alloys are most suitable for use in sour services and acid gas environments. Knowing the chemical makeup of the steels and alloys used in the energy industry gives him the ability to recommend what metallurgies a client should use for a given level of sour service and corrosive compounds.

Consulting Services

Upgrading Pressure Ratings

In 1998, the ASME changed the Code from a 4:1 safety factor to a 3.5:1 safety factor, based on the improvements in the quality of steels and developments in welding quality. At that time, the National Board of Boiler Inspectors, the enforcement arm for the ASME, backdated the change to the 1968 Codebook. That means that any vessel fabricated from 1968 to 1998 has the potential to have its pressure rating increased by 14.3%. John has done this procedure for Lyondell Basell, Kinder Morgan Pipeline, and Lazarus Refining.

Rehabilitating Pressure Vessels that have lost their documentation or nameplate by using API-510

The American Petroleum Institute’s procedure, API-510, can be used to re-certify vessels that have lost their documentation (U-1A form) and/or missing a nameplate. Knowing the dimensions of the vessel, we determine the wall thickness using ultrasonic testing then backtrack using pressure vessel formulas to determine what pressure the vessel can safely be used for future service. An API -510 nameplate is affixed to the vessel and a data-sheet is documented and signed by an API-510 inspector. The vessel is then acceptable to the insurance industry.

Inspection Services

With a commanding knowledge of the ASME Code, the pressure vessel design formulas, fabrication techniques, non-destructive testing, and documentation of pressure vessels, John is able to perform third-party inspection services to ensure that the client receives the highest quality product, manufactured to meet the ASME Code’s most exacting specifications.

Expert Witness

As an expert witness, I have participated in five cases. Two were involving exploded pressure vessels with one resulting in multiple deaths. I performed an analysis of the design, construction and maintenance of the failed pressure vessels for each case.