This case is an intellectual property (IP) dispute involving fracking and petroleum products and applications in Pennsylvania. A major designer and manufacturer of heavy equipment used in hydraulic fracturing had accused one of it’s primary competitors – a smaller firm that also produced heavy equipment and tools for use in petroleum extraction – of infringing on its intellectual property in the design of several different systems including sliding sleeves, packers, and other down-hole tools. The attorneys in this case required the expert on petroleum engineering/hydraulic engineering with an intimate understanding of the design of these systems, as well as the laws governing infringement in the design of petroleum extraction tools, methods, and procedures.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Please describe your experience in the fracking space. Are you familiar with oil & gas fracking products such as downhole tools, packers, sliding sleeves and balls?
2. Have you designed or engineered products for fracking applications?
3. Are you able to compare the designs and applications of similar products and opine as to whether one infringes on the other?
Expert Witness Response E-030948
I have extensive hands on experience with tools similar to those in question in this case. I have detailed knowledge of packers and sliding sleeves, as well as downhole tools. I recently worked on a case in Texas where a sliding sleeve failed to close, the pump pressurized and exploded causing some serious problems. This required my analysis of various downhole tools, sliding sleeves, and other aspects of the rig's design. I've actually done a lot of failure analysis as well through my work with packers and sleeves. I've also served as a consultant to Halliburton for some of their technology. I have supervised a team of experts on other IP matters, and have a full team of experts and engineers willing to assist me with any aspect of this case. Through these various design and engineering analysis projects, as well as my own drilling engineer experience, I believe I can be helpful here. From the designs that I've had access to it appears that there may have been some infringement here.
About the author
Joseph O'Neill
Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.
