Power & Energy

Failures in power generation equipment can lead to large re-instatement costs, but because the timescales for reinstatement can be large the business interruption costs can often be the greatest contributor to the total loss.

The root causes of such losses can be complex and can reside with the actions of the operator, the refurbishment shop, the Original Equipment Manufacturer or multiple parties.

At Hawkins, we can offer real-world experience of power station operation and understand the detailed requirements of design and manufacture of typical plant. Our personnel have experience of forensically investigating losses worldwide on a wide range of power generation equipment:

• Gas and Steam turbines
• Generators
• Transformers
• Switchgear
• Conductors
• Ancillaries, e.g. Pumps, compressors and control systems.

As well as having experience in the power generation industry, we also have experience of investigating incidents at the beginning of the process, when oil and gas are being extracted. Recent investigations include:

• Fire in a gas turbine on an oil rig
• Explosion at a petrochemical plant
• Explosion in crude oil storage tanks
• Fire at an oil refinery
• Fire at a fuel storage depot

WHY APPOINT A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR?

The main reason we are appointed is to try to establish the cause of the incident and then to assist with:

• Establishing where legal liability lies
• To consider if there are relevant contributory factors
• To attempt to avoid further incidents of the same type
• To ascertain if there are recovery prospects from parties other than those instructing us

HOW DOES HAWKINS INVESTIGATE POWER/ENERGY INCIDENTS?

Our investigations are often international and we attend the incident as soon as possible after instruction. Obtaining witness evidence is usually the first step in establishing a narrative of events and is often important in determining the cause. A typical investigation might include:

• Taking statements from the staff and witnesses
• Inspection and examination of the site and equipment
• Consideration of any relevant documents
• Laboratory examination of exhibits
• Regular updates to clients
• Prompt reporting
• Providing expert witness testimony