Experience

Peter Velez has more than 35 years experience in a variety of leadership positions. As the Incident Commander for Shell, he has responded to incidents in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Onshore, and Global locations involving oil spills, hurricanes, fires and explosions, Y2K, and other events. He has performed work for Shell at locations in Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Algeria, UAE, Gabon, UK, Norway, Netherlands, Russia, China, India, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Bolivia, and Venezuela.

In addition to his work at Shell, he has led and participated in numerous energy industry and engineering professional groups; given speeches, presentations, and expert testimony before courts and legislatures. His extensive work has earned him numerous awards and recognitions from the US Coast Gaurd, the API, and others.

Emergency Response, Oil Spill Response, and Crisis Management, and Security

Shell Experience

  • Global Emergency and Oil Spill Response Manager (May 2010 - October 2012)
  • Global Emergency Response and Security Manager (June 2005 - April 2010)
  • Manager Incident Command (April 1992 - May 2005)

Industry and Professional Leadership

  • American Petroleum Institute (API) - Chair of Executive Committee on Drilling and Producing Operations, Chair of SEMP RP 75 Committee, Chair of Executive Committee on Environmental Conservation, Member Standards Committee, Member Safety Committee, Member Budget Committee, Member Deepwater Horizon Macondo Joint Industry Task Force, and Member Oil Spill Response Committee
  • International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) 2014 - Chair of Executive Committee and Conference
  • IPIECA - Chair of Arctic Oil Spill Task Force
  • Arctic Oil Spill Response and Technology Joint Industry Project - Chair
  • U.S. Arctic Oil Spill Response Delegation to Arctic Council - Member of U.S. delegation negotiating treaty between 8 nations
  • China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) - Member of six person Expert Committee on China's Oil Spill Regulations
  • Lead Investigator of ONGC's Bombai High Incident
  • Investigator of PetroChina H2S Well Control Incident

Speeches, Presentations, and Expert Testimony

  • Deepwater Horizon Presidential Commission - multiple presentations

Safety, Regulatory Affairs, and Environmental Protection

Shell Experience

  • Manager Regulatory Affairs (April 1992 - May 2005)
  • Manager Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) (August 1989 - March 1991)
  • Manager Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) (June 1999 - May 2005)

Industry and Professional Leadership

  • National Academy of Sciences' Marine Board - Member 2010-2016. Member of Offshore Safety Culture and Real Time Monitoring committees.
  • U.S. Department of Interior Offshore Energy Advisory Committee - Member
  • International Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) - Chair Arctic Coordination Task Force, Member of Security Committee, and Member of Environmental Committee
  • U.S. Arctic Oil Spill Response Delegation to Arctic Council - Member of U.S. delegation negotiating treaty between 8 nations
  • Marine Preservation Association - Member of Board of Directors, Chair Deep Blue Committee, Chair Dispersant Committee, Chair Membership Committee, and Member of Coastwise Citizen Committee
  • US Coast Guard National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) - Chair for four years and a Member for 7 years
  • National Oceans Industry Association - Member of Environmental Committee, Member of Safety Committee, and Member of Regulatory Committee
  • Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association - Member Board of Directors, Member LA Governors Advisory Committee, and Chair Environmental Conservation Committee

Speeches, Presentations, and Expert Testimony

  • International Regulators Forum
  • United Kingdom Parliament Environmental Committee - testimony
  • National Oceans Industry Association Annual Meeting
  • U.S. House and Senate Committees - testimony and presentations
  • Louisiana Legislature - presentations
  • Baltic Sea Action Conference - presentations
  • Center for Offshore Safety
  • Offshore Technology Conference

Oil & Gas Operations

Shell Experience

  • Manager Production Engineering (August 1987 - July 1989)
  • Operations and Production Superintendent (May 1984 - July 1987)
  • Division Civil Engineer (June 1982 - April 1984)
  • Civil Engineer (June 1976 - May 1982)
  • Drilling Engineer (June 1975 - May 1976)

Industry and Professional Leadership

  • Offshore Operator Committee - Executive Committee Member and Committee Chair
  • U.S. Oil and Gas Association - Member
  • Alabama Oil and Gas Association - Member
  • Shell Internal Conferences and Workshops - numerous presentations

Speeches, Presentations, and Expert Testimony

  • American Petroleum Institute Annual Meeting
  • SPE Conferences - Brazil and New Orleans
  • Oil and Gas Conferences - U.S., Mexico and Venezuela