Drilling Expert as Expert Witness

Testimonial from Alan Sinclair See the full reference Testimonial from Zaid Al-Ali See the full reference

It’s satisfying to impress with a technically sound case for your client’s dispute.

In my practice as a Drilling expert, I’ve dealt with technical disputes, intellectual property litigations, have been cross examined including with simultaneous translation and have twice replaced experts who were out of their comfort zone.

As I’ve also completed many appointments as an arbitrator, I know how to deal with a tribunal.

Win credibility and strengthen your settlement position on high value oil & gas drilling disputes. Get an independent drilling expert who shows you the full picture, your case strengths AND weaknesses.

I offer a guarantee of my suitability as an expert witness. Email me if you want to know more.


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Performing a forensic analysis of unplanned Drilling events follows a similar workflow whether the end report is for legal purposes or to identify the root causes of the events for future prevention. The inputs and outputs are different but the forensic analysis is the same.


I created a coffee break sized video (18 minutes) to explain the workflow I follow as a Drilling expert. It also compares the process for an expert Witness report and an incident investigation report.



My priorities as a Drilling Expert Witness are:

  1. Technically review the claims, assess their credibility and how they relate to the contract.
  2. Ensure that the statement of claim or defence are technically credible.
  3. Advise the legal team of alternative strategies or claims.
  4. Work with the legal team to build an expert report that can be defended under cross examination.
  5. Analyse opposing Drilling Expert reports and identify deficiencies.

The attributes contributing to my work as an Expert are:

  • Being open minded and fair: I have investigated complex incidents. The evidence must lead the process.
  • Legal Knowledge: I passed the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators International Arbitration training pathway. This included contract and tort law, rules of evidence, international arbitration laws, international arbitration practice & procedure and award writing. I am a Fellow of CIArb.
  • Experience: I have completed over 100 appointments as an Arbitrator and Drilling Expert Witness.
  • Diligence, organisation, technical competence: I worked as a Drilling Professional worldwide for over 40 years. Some assignments involved overall responsibility for Exploration wells in very deep water and remote locations, costing over $1m/day. Success requires diligence, good organisation, high technical competence and ability to stay calm and in command in high stress situations.



I am the only Drilling expert to be vetted and currently accredited by The Academy of Experts.


Professional background:

  • I qualified as an Aeronautical Engineer in 1978, entered the Drilling industry in 1979. I started consulting in 1988, responsible for planning, drilling, completing, repairing and abandoning oil, gas and geothermal wells for many different companies worldwide.
  • Three years were spent full time consulting for Schlumberger IPM, designing and delivering Drilling training (classroom and online). I’ve run workshops, carried out incident investigations and am trained as a Taproot Lead Investigator.
  • I qualified as a pilot in 1986 and gained multi-engine, instrument, night, 3 axis microlight and aerobatics ratings.
  • I'm a Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and accredited by Hunt ADR as a Mediator.
  • I have published two Drilling books , “Practical well planning and drilling manual” and “Drilling technology in non-technical language” (now in its 2nd edition).

My Resume and references dating back to 1985 are available from links in the website footer.

Steve Devereux CEng FCIArb MAE MIMMM
Drilling Expert - Arbitrator - Mediator.