Peter W. van der Schans - Construction Consultant

713.626.2525 | 800.626.0054

Corporate Headquarters
One Riverway, Suite 2350
Houston, Texas 77056

Consulting Experience

LNG Vessel Escort Proposal, Domestic

Assisted LNG vessel escort contractor with preparation of proposal for large contract in the Gulf of Mexico. Provided research and support for recommendations to client.

Pipeline Construction Industry Study, Domestic

Prepared industry study of large diameter natural gas pipeline construction contractor capacity and availability. Performed analysis of labor and material cost trends for the near-term. Analysis and conclusions presented in report to owner for use in evaluating planned pipeline construction projects.

Air Separation Unit Project, Domestic

Evaluated design, procurement, and construction issues regarding the construction of a $10 million air separation unit in Texas. Principal issues included design changes, schedule delays, labor overruns, and force majeure impacts.

Offshore Pipeline Repair Estimate, Domestic

Provided research and analysis in support of an offshore pipeline repair estimate for a subsea pipeline damaged in the Gulf of Mexico.

Power Plant Retrofit Construction Project, Domestic

Assisted foundation subcontractor with claims against general contractor for additional costs related to delay, interference, and weather impacts regarding a power plant upgrade project in Texas. Provided advice, including change order request documents, to client for claim negotiation purposes.

Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Project, Domestic

Provided analysis and support for construction monitoring and reporting services for large-scale interstate multi-contractor pipeline construction project in the Midwest valued at $920 million.

Offshore Platform Export Pipeline Project, Domestic

Analyzed multi-million dollar claim for standby costs and other delay and disruption issues relative to the construction of an offshore platform export pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. Analysis presented to client for claim evaluation purposes subsequent to arbitration.

Offshore TLP Remediation Project, Domestic

Evaluated millions of dollars in costs incurred by owner during remediation activities on an offshore TLP undergoing repairs prior to operation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore Pipeline Installation Project, Saudi Arabia

Evaluated and assisted with the preparation of change orders on behalf of offshore contractor installing a pipeline offshore of Saudi Arabia. Primary issues involved welding, extra work, delays, fuel costs, weather, and time extensions.

Offshore Oil & Gas Projects, Domestic and International

Led the development and implementation of project scheduling and cost control systems for an international offshore contractor supplying life-of-field contracting services and development solutions for offshore energy producers. Provided project management oversight and training to facilitate systems implementation.

Power Plant Project, Domestic

Analyzed request for information and change order documentation regarding the construction of two (2) heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) units for a $325 million combined cycle power plant in California. Primary issues included late and defective design documents and materials, late predecessor work, restricted site access, performance issues, and liquidated damages. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for arbitration.

Pipeline Operations and Maintenance Trend Study, Domestic

Prepared a cost analysis and trend study regarding operations and maintenance (O&M) costs for interstate natural gas pipelines in the United States. Evaluated O&M cost trends related to labor, services, materials, and equipment.

Compressor Station Construction Project, Domestic

Performed claims consulting and litigation services involving delay, disruption, and damages relative to contractor’s work on a project involving the construction of three (3) compressor stations. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for use in litigation.

Pipeline Construction Costs Trend Study, Domestic

Prepared a trend study which analyzed and forecasted large diameter pipeline construction costs and contractor backlog, compressor station costs and contractor backlog, and material and equipment pricing and availability. Analysis and conclusions presented in a report to owner for use in construction planning.

Condominium Project, Domestic

Analyzed change orders and site instructions related to delays and cost overruns of the construction of a $21 million condominium complex in Minnesota. Primary issues included permit delays, design/build coordination, subcontractor performance and workmanship, moisture/mold remediation, unit buyer customization, and liquidated damages. Analysis was presented in an expert report for arbitration purposes.

Steam Pipeline Failure, Domestic

Provided preliminary evaluation of events prior to and following a steam pipe rupture incident in New York.

Military Housing Privatization Projects, Domestic

Analyzed residential construction costs and provided an independent verification of completion estimates for construction work associated with several military housing privatization projects throughout the United States.

Pipeline Construction Project, Domestic

Reviewed contractor work plan, schedule, and capabilities on behalf of owner for a pipeline construction project in Texas and Louisiana. Analysis and support provided to client for use in evaluating viability of proceeding with existing contractor.

Natural Gas Pipeline and Compressor Station Project, Domestic

Provided construction management assistance to owner regarding delay, force majeure, weather disruption, and contract dispute issues for a 42-inch pipeline construction project in Louisiana and Texas. Project involved two (2) compressor stations in addition to the pipeline.

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) Revamp Project, Domestic

Analyzed owner delay and disruption issues and provided analysis to support the quantification of labor productivity losses and monetary damages regarding a $26 million ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) revamp project in California. Primary issues included defective engineering and construction documents, late and defective predecessor work, late materials, and acceleration. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for litigation purposes.

Pipeline Black Powder Causation, Domestic

Provided preliminary technical evaluation regarding the presence of black powder in a natural gas pipeline feeding a cogeneration power plant facility in Texas. Analysis and conclusions presented in a report for litigation purposes.

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) Project, Domestic

Analyzed an $8 million claim regarding delays, disruptions, and labor productivity impacts to an ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) project in Oklahoma. Evaluated claimed productivity impacts and provided independent analysis of contractor claims against owner. Presented analysis and conclusions to client for claim negotiation and settlement purposes.

Power Plant Project, International

Provided analysis to support monetary damage quantification regarding a power plant in the Dominican Republic. Reviewed and identified relevant documents related to key issues and set up and managed electronic document database. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for litigation purposes.

Natural Gas Pipeline Network Installation Project, International

Provided construction claims analysis, schedule review, and cost analysis regarding the installation of a $620 million onshore/offshore natural gas pipeline network in West Africa. Evaluated primary issues including scope changes, procurement constraints, security issues, and material/equipment cost escalation.

Power Plant Expansion Project, Domestic

Evaluated claim relative to change orders and contract termination for failure to perform and assisted in evaluating the design and construction of an electrical generating plant. Assisted in the evaluation of contractor's alleged change orders and analyzed the validity of each change order and the magnitude of those believed to be valid. Presented analysis and conclusions to client for claim negotiation and settlement purposes.

Crude Pipeline Rupture Incident, Mexico

Performed root cause analysis to determine the proximate cause of a crude oil pipeline rupture related to a pump station fire in Mexico. Analyzed operations and maintenance records, corrosion data, event records, and technical reports and performed personnel interviews. Evaluated operating scenarios involving drag reducing agent (DRA) while pump station was out of service. Analysis and conclusions presented in expert reports for insurance purposes.

Aeronautics Manufacturing Facility Project, Domestic

Analyzed delays, disruptions, and labor productivity impacts to the mechanical construction work at a state-of-the-art aeronautics manufacturing facility in Texas. Primary issues included scope growth, material/equipment defects, interference, and acceleration. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for arbitration purposes.

Underground Gas Storage Vapor Pressure Mitigation Project, Domestic

Evaluated contractor’s request for equitable adjustment, analyzed delay and disruption issues, and provided support for productivity impact claim regarding the construction of two (2) underground gas storage vapor mitigation projects. Analysis presented in an expert report for arbitration purposes.

Subsea Caisson Mooring System Installation Project, Domestic

Evaluated fabrication and installation issues and analyzed damages relating to installation work for the subsea caisson mooring system of an offshore spar production facility in the Gulf of Mexico. Presented analysis and conclusions to client for claim negotiation and settlement purposes.

Natural Gas Pipeline Installation Project, Domestic

Analyzed scope growth, labor productivity impacts, and monetary damages regarding the construction of a 200+-mile, 36-inch natural gas pipeline in Texas. Primary issues included differing conditions, defective plans and specifications, and extra work. Presented analysis and conclusions for claim negotiation and settlement purposes.

Resort Facility and Executive Conference Center Project, Domestic

Provided construction claims and litigation support relating to defective design/construction work on a resort facility and executive conference center in Texas. Presented analysis and conclusions to client for claim negotiation and settlement purposes.

Pipeline Construction Project, Domestic

Analyzed pipeline contractor’s claim for additional compensation related to productivity impacts and additional work on a $27 million natural gas pipeline construction project in the Midwest. Provided support for measured mile productivity analysis, analyzed additional work, and evaluated weather delays. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for litigation purposes.

Crude Oil Refinery Boiler Rebuild Project, Aruba

Evaluated contract termination issues and assessed damages due the owner for cost to complete the work on an $8 million refinery boiler rebuild project in Aruba. Analysis and conclusions presented in expert report for arbitration purposes.

LNG Vaporization Terminal Expansion Project, Domestic

Evaluated force majeure claims related to the construction of expanded facilities for an LNG vaporization terminal in Louisiana. Analyzed schedule delays and disruptions and evaluated change order requests, labor wage volatility, labor shortages, and productivity impacts. Presented analysis and conclusions to client for claim negotiation and settlement purposes.

Municipal Infrastructure Projects, Domestic

Evaluated validity of subcontractors on a variety of sewer and road infrastructure projects on behalf of a bonding company. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for litigation purposes.

Chemical Plant Expansion Project, Domestic

Provided construction claims and litigation support regarding a $350 million chemical plant expansion project in Louisiana. Set up and managed large-scale electronic document database with remote access. Primary issues included scope changes, schedule delays, labor productivity impacts, and cost overruns.

Apartment Complex Project, Domestic

Analyzed design/construction defect issues and estimated remediation costs relative to a 350-unit apartment complex in Ohio. Primary issues included defective roofing installation and painting defects. Analysis presented in an expert report for litigation purposes.

Healthcare Facility Projects, Domestic

Evaluated storm damage and provided cost estimates for remediation and necessary code-related improvements resulting from tropical storm damage to eight (8) healthcare facilities in Texas. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for insurance purposes.

Deepwater Spar Production Facility Project, Domestic

Analyzed scope growth, work suspension, and contract termination issues and quantified damages relative to a $17 million topsides erection and outfitting contract for a deepwater spar production facility in the Gulf of Mexico. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for arbitration purposes.

Deepwater Spar Production Facility Project, Domestic

Analyzed delays, disruptions, and labor productivity impacts regarding a $16 million topsides erection and outfitting contract for a deepwater spar production facility in the Gulf of Mexico. Primary issues included engineering deficiencies, late and out-of-sequence material and equipment deliveries, late predecessor work, scope changes, and acceleration. Analysis and conclusions presented in an expert report for litigation purposes.

Gas Processing Plant Project, Domestic

Evaluated scope change, schedule delay, cost overrun, termination, and other technical issues relative to the construction of a $75 million gas processing plant in Louisiana. Analysis and conclusions presented in expert reports for litigation purposes.

Consulting Experience PDF