Summary
James E. Horton is a certified welding and coating inspection professional with more than a decade of experience in customer surveillance, third-party inspection, QA/QC, and pipeline integrity work. He has supported fabrication facilities, compressor stations, refineries, turnarounds, and pipeline projects, inspecting welding, coating, mechanical installation, piping, tanks, and related equipment. His experience includes managing integrity and anomaly digs from excavation through pipe repair and final land restoration, as well as coordinating NDE, PWHT, weld tracking, package turnover, and subcontractor activities. James has reviewed MTRs, welding procedures, welder qualifications, coating specifications, quality plans, and shipping documentation, while also monitoring pressure testing and contractor safety performance. He brings strong coordination, reporting, inventory, and Materials Resource Planning skills.
Education
- December 2000 – Bachelor of Arts in Communications with Speech concentration, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA
- 56 hours CWI training, Real Educational Services, Pascagoula, MS
- 24 hours Radio-graphic Film Interpretation, NDT Training & Testing Center, Houston, TX
Qualifications and Training
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector #09030821
- API 1169
- NDT Level II MT
- NDT Level II PT
- NDT Level II VT
- NDT Level II RT Interpretation
- NDT PMI
- NDT HT
- NACE Coating Inspector Level 2-Certified #55798
- NACE Member #674572
- OSHA 10
- OSHA 30
- Safety Council Basic Plus #9577623
Codes & Standards
- API 1169
- API 510
- B31.3
- B31.1
- API 570
- ASME B31.3
Work Experience
Jun 2023 – Present
Catsi
Customer Surveillance
- Oversaw all activities for integrity digs from digging to final restoration of land, including pipe repair or cutouts after initial inspection.
Oct 2022 – Mar 2023
TPI AGENCY
Customer Surveillance
- Inspected tank materials and parts to be sent to the plant for Chevron Pasadena on the Pala interstate.
Apr 2021 – Oct 2022
I3 Engineering
Customer Surveillance Inspector
- Performed third-party inspection at fabrication facilities and compressor stations for Eastern Energy.
- Coordinated with the engineer on the processes needed to complete yearly maintenance and upgrades.
Aug 2020 – Jan 2021
Gulf Interstate Field Services
Customer Surveillance
- Performed third-party mechanical inspection covering installation, coating, and welding for Piedmont Natural Gas.
- Witnessed hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure tests.
- Reviewed packages and verified that all MTRs, welding procedures, qualifications, and coating specifications were included and acceptable.
Jun 2020 – Jul 2020
TPI AGENCY
Customer Surveillance
- Oversaw welding and coating of a compressor station outside the Indeck Niles Plant for TransCanada Pipeline.
- Verified that quality plans and safety requirements were followed.
- Reviewed coating procedures and tested the welders for the project.
Jul 2019 – Mar 2020
TPI AGENCY
Customer Surveillance
- Inspected coated pipe at the Turner Industries paint yard for Lyondell.
- Checked material and work quality.
- Reviewed coating documents and shipping details.
Feb 2018 – May 2019
Ensite USA
Customer Surveillance
- Performed third-party mechanical inspection covering installation, coating, and welding for Piedmont Natural Gas.
- Witnessed hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure tests.
- Reviewed packages and verified that all MTRs, welding procedures, qualifications, and coating specifications were included and acceptable.
Dec 2017 – Jan 2018
Catsi Inc.
Chief inspector
- Examined pipes with various anomalies for Marathon Pipeline.
- Witnessed welding and coating activities.
- Verified metal loss and ensured that the contractor followed all safety and quality procedures.
- Coordinated all NDT activities.
May 2017 – Oct 2017
TPI AGENCY
Welding/Coating Inspector
- Inspected welding and coating of carbon steel piping at a compressor station in Quantico, VA and a fabrication shop in Clarksburg, WV.
- Verified MTRs, welding procedures, weld qualifications, coating specifications, and activities associated with installation.
Jan 2016 – May 2017
PDI-S
QA/QC Inspector/Consultant
- Performed third-party surveillance for Technip on the Sasol refinery upgrade in Lake Charles, LA.
- Visited vendors to check welding and coating processes.
- Verified MTRs, welding procedures, weld qualifications, and shipping procedures.
- Witnessed FAT testing for control panels.
Sep 2015 – Dec 2015
TPI AGENCY
Chief Inspector and Coordinator III
- Performed inspection and coordination of NDE and facilitated subcontractors for NIPSCO.
- Inspected anomaly digs and rebuilding of current infrastructure in Northern Indiana.
- Inspected welds and coating and served as a third-party liaison between contractors and NIPSCO.
- Participated in meetings concerning system improvements.
- Ensured safe contractor work on NIPSCO projects.
Jul 2015 – Sep 2015
Ensite USA
NACE 2 Coating Inspector
- Inspected right of way clearing and performed surveillance of coating activities.
- Assisted with welding inspection.
- Witnessed pipe burial and backfill.
- Ensured that the right of way was cleaned and rocks and debris were removed.
- Interacted with contractors, customers, and landowners.
Jan 2015 – Feb 2015
Performance Turnaround Group
QC Coordinator/Lead Nights
- Coordinated X-ray and PT analysis for the Rubicon/Huntsman MDI-1 turnaround.
- Checked weld quality and fit-ups in butt and socket welds.
- Checked piping packages for bolt-ups, gaskets, and piping supports.
- Monitored hydro-tests, service tests, and sensitive leak tests.
Apr 2014 – Nov 2014
Renegade Oil and Gas
QA/QC Third Party Surveillance
- Performed inventory of piping and materials for the Hiland Partners pipeline.
- Oversaw contractor installation of the pipeline, including welding, trenching, backfill, and right of way maintenance.
- Conducted contractor safety audits, attended safety meetings, and observed contractor activities.
- Reported project progress to the chief inspector.
Nov 2013 – Feb 2014
Performance Turnaround Group
QC Coordinator/Lead
- Directed inspectors to complete package turnover for the Lion Oil Refinery.
- Inspected welds and placed orders for PWHT and NDE.
- Examined piping systems, exchangers, and heaters per Section 8, API 510, and B31.3.
Oct 2013 – Nov 2013
TPI AGENCY
QA/QC
- Performed refinery inspection for Marathon Oil.
- Walked down QC packages, inspected welds, and placed orders for PWHT and NDE.
- Examined piping systems per B31.3, B31.1, and API 570.
- Performed hydro inspection and weld tracking.
⚠ Review: employer replaced on AI judgment alone — verify agency status
Sep 2011 – Jul 2012
Turner Industries
QC Manager
- Performed customer surveillance and inspected the chlorine area being built and inspected by Performance Contractors for Georgia Gulf.
- Prepared daily progress reports for the plant facilities turnaround project.
- Built project packages for the Sinclair Refinery.
- Inspected piping and structural welds, oriented new welders, and reviewed weld data sheets and welder qualifications.
- Performed final inspection of mechanical and hydro packages.
- Coordinated NDE and PWHT according to ASME B31.3 and B31.1, API 510, and weld tracking.
- Led inspection of heating tubes being rebuilt for Williams Oliphant.
- Used LP, RT, VT, and hydro testing to check heating tube integrity.
Aug 2011 – Sep 2011
Performance Contractors
QC
- Performed final inspection of mechanical and hydro packages, including bolt-up procedures.
- Coordinated PT, MT, and X-ray of preparation, root, and final welds.
- Performed weld mapping and tracking of welds.
- Managed rod and wire control.
Projects
JUN 2023 – PRESENT
Client: Buckeye Partners
Integrity digs
Product: Pipes
Position: Customer Surveillance
- Oversaw all activities from digging to final restoration of land.
- Oversaw pipe repair or cutouts after initial inspection.
OCT 2022 – MAR 2023
Client: Chevron Pasadena
Pala interstate
Product: Tank materials and parts
Position: Customer Surveillance
- Inspected tank materials and parts to be sent to the plant.
APR 2021 – OCT 2022
Client: Eastern Energy
Yearly maintenance and upgrades
Position: Customer Surveillance Inspector
Location: Fabrication facilities and compressor stations
- Performed third-party inspection at fabrication facilities and compressor stations.
- Coordinated with the engineer on the processes needed to complete yearly maintenance and upgrades.
AUG 2020 – JAN 2021
Client: Piedmont Natural Gas
Third-party mechanical inspection
Position: Customer Surveillance
Location: Portsmouth, NH
- Performed third-party mechanical inspection covering installation, coating, and welding.
- Witnessed hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure tests.
- Reviewed packages and verified that all MTRs, welding procedures, qualifications, and coating specifications were included and acceptable.
JUN 2020 – JUL 2020
Client: TransCanada Pipeline
Compressor station outside the Indeck Niles Plant
Position: Customer Surveillance
Location: Niles, MI
- Oversaw welding and coating of a compressor station outside the Indeck Niles Plant.
- Verified that all quality plans were followed as well as safety requirements.
- Reviewed coating procedures.
- Tested the welders for the project.
JUL 2019 – MAR 2020
Client: Lyondell
Turner Industries paint yard
Vendor: Turner Industries
Product: Coated pipe
Position: Customer Surveillance
Location: Port Allen, LA
- Inspected all coated pipe at the Turner Industries paint yard.
- Checked the quality of the material and work being performed.
- Reviewed all coating documents and shipping details.
FEB 2018 – MAY 2019
Client: Piedmont Natural Gas
Third-party mechanical inspection
Position: Customer Surveillance
Location: Bentonville, NC
- Performed third-party mechanical inspection covering installation, coating, and welding.
- Witnessed hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure tests.
- Reviewed packages and verified that all MTRs, welding procedures, qualifications, and coating specifications were included and acceptable.
DEC 2017 – JAN 2018
Client: Marathon Pipeline
Anomaly digs
Product: Pipes
Position: Chief Inspector
Location: Kentucky
- Examined pipes with various anomalies.
- Witnessed welding and coating activities.
- Verified metal loss.
- Ensured that the contractor followed all safety and quality procedures for Marathon Pipeline.
- Coordinated all NDT activities.
MAY 2017 – OCT 2017
Compressor station and fabrication shop inspection
Product: Carbon steel piping
Position: Welding/Coating Inspector
Location: Quantico, VA and Clarksburg, WV
- Inspected welding and coating of carbon steel piping at the compressor station in Quantico, VA and the fabrication shop in Clarksburg, WV.
- Verified MTRs, welding procedures, weld qualifications, coating specifications, and all activities associated with installation at the facility.
JAN 2016 – MAY 2017
Client: Technip
Sasol upgrade
Product: Control panels
Position: QA/QC Inspector/Consultant
Location: Refinery in Lake Charles, LA
- Performed third-party surveillance for Technip on the Sasol upgrade at the refinery in Lake Charles, LA.
- Visited various vendors to check welding and coating processes.
- Verified MTRs, welding procedures, weld qualifications, and shipping procedures.
- Witnessed FAT testing for control panels.
SEPT 2015 – DEC 2015
Client: NIPSCO
Anomaly digs and rebuilding of current infrastructure
Position: Chief Inspector and Coordinator III
Location: Northern Indiana
- Performed inspection and coordination of NDE.
- Facilitated subcontractors for NIPSCO.
- Inspected anomaly digs and rebuilding of the current infrastructure.
- Inspected all welds and coating.
- Served as a third-party liaison between contractors and NIPSCO.
- Participated in meetings on current improvements to be implemented in the system.
- Ensured the safe work of the contractor on NIPSCO projects.
JUL 2015 – SEPT 2015
Right of way and pipeline coating inspection
Product: Pipe
Position: NACE 2 Coating Inspector
Location: Wheeling, WV
- Inspected right of way clearing.
- Performed surveillance of all coating activities.
- Assisted with welding inspection.
- Witnessed burial and backfill of the pipe.
- Ensured that the right of way was cleaned and all rocks and debris were removed.
- Interacted with contractors, customers, and landowners.
JAN 2015 – FEB 2015
Client: Rubicon/Huntsman
MDI-1 turnaround
Product: Piping
Position: QC Coordinator/Lead Nights
Location: Geismar, LA
- Coordinated X-ray and PT analysis.
- Checked weld quality and fit-ups in butt and socket welds.
- Checked piping packages for bolt-ups, gaskets, and piping supports.
- Monitored hydro-tests, service tests, and sensitive leak tests.
APR 2014 – NOV 2014
Client: Hiland Partners
Hiland Partners pipeline
Product: Piping and materials
Position: QA/QC Third Party Surveillance
Location: Williston, ND
- Performed inventory of piping and materials.
- Oversaw contractor installation of the pipeline, including welding, trenching, backfill, and right of way maintenance.
- Conducted contractor safety audits, attended safety meetings, and observed contractors.
- Reported all progress to the chief inspector.
NOV 2013 – FEB 2014
Client: Lion Oil Refinery
Lion Oil Refinery
Product: Piping systems, exchangers, and heaters
Position: QC Coordinator/Lead
Location: Eldorado, AR
- Directed other inspectors to complete package turnover.
- Inspected welds.
- Placed orders for PWHT and NDE.
- Examined piping systems, exchangers, and heaters per Section 8, API 510, and B31.3.
OCT 2013 – NOV 2013
Client: Marathon Oil
Marathon Oil refinery
Product: Piping systems
Position: QA/QC
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Walked down QC packages.
- Inspected welds.
- Placed orders for PWHT and NDE.
- Examined piping systems per B31.3, B31.1, and API 570.
- Performed hydro inspection.
- Tracked welds.
SEPT 2011 – JUL 2012
Client: Georgia Gulf
Chlorine area
Vendor: Performance Contractors
Position: QC Manager
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Performed customer surveillance and inspected the chlorine area being built and inspected by Performance Contractors.
- Prepared daily reports on the progress of the turnaround project for the plant facilities.
SEPT 2011 – JUL 2012
Client: Sinclair Refinery
Building Project packages
Product: Piping and structural welds
Position: QC Manager
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Built project packages.
- Inspected piping and structural welds.
- Oriented new welders.
- Reviewed weld data sheets and welder qualifications.
- Performed final inspection of mechanical and hydro packages.
- Coordinated NDE and PWHT according to ASME B31.3 and B31.1, API 510, and weld tracking.
SEPT 2011 – JUL 2012
Client: Williams Oliphant
Heating tubes rebuilding
Product: Heating tubes
Position: Lead Inspector
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Led inspection of heating tubes being rebuilt.
- Used LP, RT, VT, and hydro testing to check integrity.
AUG 2011 – SEPT 2011
Final mechanical and hydro package inspection
Product: Mechanical packages
Position: QC
Location: Nederland, TX
- Performed final inspection of mechanical and hydro packages, including bolt-up procedures.
- Coordinated PT, MT, and X-ray of prep, root, and final welds.
- Performed weld mapping and tracking of welds.
- Managed rod and wire control.
Skills
- Customer Surveillance
- Third-Party Inspection
- Welding Inspection
- Coating Inspection
- QA/QC Inspection
- QC Coordination
- QC Management
- Pipeline Inspection
- Mechanical Inspection
- NDE/NDT Coordination
- Weld Tracking
- Package Turnover
- Contractor Surveillance
- Safety Auditing
- Inventory Management
- Materials Resource Planning
- Computer Skills
Commodities
- Piping
- Carbon steel piping
- Tanks
- Control panels
- Exchangers
- Heaters
- Heating tubes
- Structural welds
- Coated pipe
- Pipelines