James Simmons

Infrastructure and Automation Manager, PCD Accountable Manager, Operations Security Manager

Shell Pipeline Co LP

James Simmons leads the company’s infrastructure and automation functions as well as the Operational Technology (OT) and operations physical security programs with over 20 years of experience in pipeline operations and control systems.  This responsibility covers the full range of assets operated by Shell Pipeline Co LP across the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. 

In this role, James has initiated and matured the policies and procedures related to OT security for the business, starting in the Houston Control Center and extending out to operating assets in the field.   Further, he has managed assurance process designed to evaluate and improve security outcomes based on risk and as a part of the management lifecycle.  In his role as a the physical security focal point, he conducts Security Risk Assessments and oversees the maintenance of Facility Security Plans and serves as the primary interface for regulatory bodies.

Prior to his current role, James served as an Operations Supervisor in the Houston Control Center, responsible for the day-to-day remote monitoring and control of several major pipeline systems responsible for transporting commodity from offshore and onshore locations to key coastal storage assets and refineries.  He has also served as a Technical Support to Operations (TSO) Engineer supporting crude, refined product, and chemical systems in south Texas.  His initial role in Shell was as an Electrical Project Engineer, completing control system and power projects both onshore and offshore.

Before joining Shell Pipeline Co LP, James served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy and was a part of the Nuclear Power program with assignment to the aircraft carrier fleet upon completion of Nuclear Power Training.  He was certified as a Naval Nuclear Engineer in 1999 with follow-on duty as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power School.

James holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

Steve Melzer is a consulting engineer in Midland, Texas specializing in CO₂ injection projects, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), reservoir properties and horizontal well reservoir depressuring projects.  He also provides engineering and business planning services for a variety of U.S. and International commercial clients in the oil and gas, industrial gas, coal and power sectors as well as advising policy makers and non-governmental organizations on the subject of CO₂ EOR and carbon capture and storage.  He has also originated and operated many exploration and production projects in the oil and gas sector.  He has conducted research on the origin and distribution of residual oil zones and their commercial exploitation through the use of both CO₂ EOR and horizontal wells. He is currently contributing a new scientific explanation of mixed- and oil-wettability in carbonates and certain clastic reservoir rocks.

He has been the director of the 26 years of the annual CO₂ Flooding Conference and assists in organizing the EOR Carbon Management Workshop, both held each year in December in Midland, Texas.  He has served on the Governor of Texas’ FutureGen Board, as a past Director of The University of Texas of the Permian Basin’s Petroleum Industry Alliance, PCOR’s technical advisory board, and continues to serve on several other out of state and local Advisory Boards and Councils.

Steve resides in Midland, Tx. He has a BS in geological engineering from Texas A&M and a MS degree in Engineering with a Geomechanics specialty from Purdue University.