Summary
Michael (Mike) P. Sdao is a certified welding inspector with over twenty-five years of experience in quality management, QA/QC inspection, and welding and fabrication across the subsea, petrochemical, offshore, oil and gas, and pipeline industries. His experience covers subsea equipment, BOP stacks, pressure vessels, structural steel, valves, skid packages, coatings, piping, and pipeline components. He has led inspection activities and quality programs, including ITP and NDE/welding-procedure reviews, inspector resourcing, audits, and third-party coordination for major offshore projects. Michael has developed welding procedures, represented clients during proprietary-connection qualification programs, witnessed destructive and non-destructive testing, performed coating inspections, and reviewed customer specifications.
Qualifications and Training
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) per AWS QC-1, No. 05020121
Codes & Standards
- API
- AWS
- DNV
- AISC
- ASME
- ASTM
- NACE
- API 6A
- API 16A
- API 5L
- API 1104
- API 1110
- API 570
- DNV F101
- DNV E101
- AWS D1.1
- ASME Section 8 div. 1
- ASME B31.3
- ASME B31.1
- ASME Section 9
- ISO 13679
- API 5C5
- SSPC
- NACE MR-0175
- PED (Pressure Equipment Directive)
Work Experience
Apr 2025 – Present
Sr Field Inspector
- Was responsible for inspection of equipment packages for the Sparta Project at various vendors.
⚠ Review: dates overlap with Independent Contractor
Mar 2025 – 2026
Independent Contractor
Independent Contractor
- Performed various third-party inspections, expediting, and coordination activities on site and at vendor facilities during manufacture, fabrication, installation, and operational testing of equipment used onshore and offshore for the oil and gas and petrochemical industries.
⚠ Review: dates overlap with
Jun 2022 – Mar 2025
LLOG Exploration
Mechanical Inspection Lead
- Was responsible for overseeing the inspection of equipment packages.
- Reviewed and approved Inspection & Test Plans, Non-Destructive Examination, and Welding Procedures.
- Resourced qualified inspectors, prepared and conducted audits, and coordinated inspection activities for the LLOG Exploration Salamanca Project.
Jun 2019 – Jun 2022
Independent Contractor
Independent Contractor
- Performed various third-party inspections, expediting, and coordination activities on site and at vendor facilities during manufacture, fabrication, installation, and operational testing of equipment used onshore and offshore for the oil and gas and petrochemical industries.
Mar 2017 – Jun 2019
Noble Energy
Sr Field Inspector
- Coordinated activities at vendor facilities during manufacture.
- Performed inspection, expediting, function testing, and operational testing of equipment for the Leviathan offshore platform.
Feb 2015 – Mar 2017
Independent Contractor
Independent Contractor
- Performed various third-party inspections, expediting, and coordination activities on site and at vendor facilities during manufacture, fabrication, installation, and operational testing of equipment used onshore and offshore for the oil and gas and petrochemical industries.
- Verified vendor compliance with purchase orders and specifications.
- Provided welding procedure consultation, welder training, and overall productivity improvement to various fabrication shops in the Houston area.
Apr 2014 – Feb 2015
Noble Energy
Subsea Quality Lead
- Was responsible for development and management of quality processes, procedures, and policies.
- Reviewed and approved Inspection & Test Plans, Non-Destructive Examination, and Welding Procedures.
- Resourced qualified inspectors, prepared and conducted audits, and coordinated inspection activities.
Nov 2012 – Apr 2014
TPI AGENCY
Surveyor/Inspector
- Performed various third-party inspections and activities on site and at vendor facilities during manufacture, fabrication, installation, and operational testing of equipment used onshore and offshore for the oil and gas and subsea industry.
Feb 2008 – Nov 2012
Independent Contractor
Independent Contractor
- Performed various third-party inspections, expediting, and coordination activities on site and at vendor facilities during manufacture, fabrication, installation, and operational testing of equipment used onshore and offshore for the oil and gas, petrochemical, and pipeline industries.
- Provided welding procedure consultation, welder training, and overall productivity improvement to various fabrication shops in the Houston area.
May 2006 – Feb 2008
Suncoast Post Tension
Quality Control Manager
- Managed a 20+ person operation manufacturing punch shear resistance assemblies for post-tension concrete high-rise structures.
- Scheduled incoming materials to ensure on-time delivery of a quality product.
Aug 2002 – May 2006
Schuff Steel Gulf Coast
Quality Control Manager
- Managed all aspects of ASME, AWS, and AISC Quality Assurance Programs.
- Managed quality assurance for the manufacture of structural steel, large and small pressure vessels, vertical basket strainers, meter tubes, and figures eights.
Feb 2002 – Jul 2002
Daniel Systems
Quality Control Inspector
- Inspected and expedited the fabrication of all structural and piping components for the manufacture of metering skids at various vendors’ facilities.
Jul 1999 – Feb 2002
Products Fabrication Inc.
Quality Control Manager
- Managed all aspects of a Quality Control Program.
- Organized and managed projects as they progressed through fabrication for a pressure vessel manufacturer.
Feb 1993 – Jul 1999
Weld X-Ray Quality
Welder
- Welded and X-rayed quality stainless and carbon process piping for various fabrication shops and chemical plants in the Houston area.
Projects
MAR 2025 – PRESENT
Independent Contractor
Product: Upstream and Downstream equipment
Position: Independent Contractor
- Performed various third-party inspections, expediting, and coordination activities for upstream and downstream equipment.
MAR 2025 – PRESENT
Client: Enbridge
Sparta Project
Vendor: Oil States; Forge USA (One West Manufacturing); CRC Evans Pipeline
Product: Subsea connectors; raw material forgings; subsea pipeline buckle arrestors
Position: Sr Field Inspector
Location: Various vendors
- Provided inspection coverage for subsea connectors at Oil States.
- Inspected a 1500# ASME 10”x10”x10” piggable wye, 14in integral collet connector, 4in-1500 ASME MEC injection cap, female injection hub, and 14in-900 female hub body.
- Inspected raw material forgings at Forge USA (One West Manufacturing).
- Inspected subsea pipeline buckle arrestors at CRC Evans Pipeline.
- Inspected 18” x .875” pipe and buckle arrestors, 18” x .750” pipe and buckle arrestors, and 10.75” x 0.500” pipe and buckle arrestors.
- Inspected a 10-inch gas export PLET transition joint and an oil SCR / pipeline transition joint assembly.
MAR 2025 – PRESENT
Client: Beacon Offshore Energy
Zephyrus Project
Product: Subsea pressure caps
Position: Independent Contractor
- Provided inspection coverage for subsea long-term and short-term pressure caps.
MAR 2025 – PRESENT
Client: Murphy Exploration & Production
Sam 7 Project
Product: ROV Intervention Panel; M5 connectors
Position: Independent Contractor
- Provided inspection coverage for an ROV Intervention Panel for 1” 15K panels and 2” and 3” M5 connectors.
MAR 2025 – PRESENT
Client: Chevron
Anchor Project
Product: Topsides Choke Trim Swap Out
Position: Independent Contractor
- Provided inspection coverage of a 30K Topsides Choke Trim Swap Out.
JUN 2022 – MAR 2025
Client: LLOG Exploration
Salamanca Project
Product: Equipment packages
Position: Mechanical Inspection Lead
- Oversaw the inspection of equipment packages.
- Reviewed and approved Inspection & Test Plans.
- Reviewed Non-Destructive Examination and Welding Procedures.
- Resourced qualified inspectors.
- Prepared and conducted audits.
- Coordinated inspection activities for the LLOG Exploration Salamanca Project.
NOV 2019 – JUL 2020
Client: Noble Energy
Alen Gas Monetization Project
Product: Offshore platform topside equipment; valves; valve actuators; piping and piping fittings; closures; filters and strainers
- Oversaw fabrication of various offshore platform topside equipment.
- Oversaw fabrication of valves, valve actuators, piping and piping fittings, closures, and filters and strainers.
MAR 2017 – AUG 2019
Client: Noble Energy
Leviathan Project
Product: Offshore platform topside equipment; pressure vessels; process filters; compressor skids; nitrogen generation skids; chemical injection skids; jacket-up ending system; jacket grippers and grout packers; crew shelter / living quarters
Position: Sr Field Inspector
Location: Vendor facilities
- Oversaw fabrication of various offshore platform topside equipment.
- Oversaw fabrication of pressure vessels, process filters, compressor skids, nitrogen generation skids, chemical injection skids, jacket-up ending system, jacket grippers and grout packers, and crew shelter / living quarters.
FEB 2015 – MAR 2017
Independent Contractor
Position: Independent Contractor
Location: Houston-area fabrication shops
- Performed various third-party inspections, expediting, and coordination activities at sites and vendor facilities during manufacture, fabrication, installation, and operational testing.
- Provided welding procedure consultation and welder training to various fabrication shops in the Houston area.
APR 2014 – FEB 2015
Client: Noble Energy
Leviathan Project
Position: Sub Sea Quality Lead
- Managed the development and management of quality processes, procedures, and policies.
- Reviewed and approved Inspection & Test Plans.
- Reviewed Non-Destructive Examination and Welding Procedures.
- Resourced qualified inspectors.
- Prepared and conducted audits.
- Coordinated inspection activities.
NOV 2012 – APR 2014
Surveyor for Det Norske Veritas (DNV-GL)
Vendor: National Oilwell Varco (NOV); Cameron/One Subsea; Stress Engineering; Spitizer Ind.
Product: Blowout Preventers (BOP) stacks and related equipment
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Various facilities
- Oversaw fabrication, welding, NDE, and pressure testing at various facilities.
- Covered blowout preventers (BOP) stacks and related equipment.
NOV 2012 – APR 2014
Husky White Rose Expansion Project
Vendor: Oceaneering Facility
Product: Hydraulic Flying Leads (HFL); Hydraulic Pressure Units (HPU); Subsea Distribution Units (SDU); Mud Mats
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Oceaneering Facility
- Oversaw fabrication, welding, NDE, and pressure testing of hydraulic flying leads, hydraulic pressure units, subsea distribution units, and mud mats.
AUG 2012 – NOV 2012
Client: Shell
BC-10 Project
Vendor: T-Rex Facility
Product: Pipeline End Termination Assemblies (PLETS)
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: T-Rex Facility
- Oversaw fabrication, welding, NDE, and pressure testing of pipeline end termination assemblies (PLETS).
JUN 2012 – SEP 2012
Client: SubSea 7 / Petrobras
Guara-Lula Project
Vendor: Montgomery Machine; Oil States; Acute; Oceanworks
Product: Production SCR flexible joints; water injection SCR flexible joints; gas injection SCR flexible joints with API flange
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Various facilities
- Oversaw fabrication, welding, NDE, and pressure testing at various facilities.
- Covered production SCR flexible joints, water injection SCR flexible joints, and gas injection SCR flexible joints with API flange.
MAR 2012 – AUG 2012
Client: BHP Billiton
Shenzi Project
Vendor: Oceaneering Facility
Product: Umbilical Termination Assemblies (UTA); Mud Mats; CVC Connector Bodies
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Oceaneering Facility
- Oversaw fabrication, welding, NDE, and pressure testing of umbilical termination assemblies, mud mats, and CVC connector bodies.
APR 2012 – JUN 2012
Client: TOTAL GABON
COGA Project
Vendor: Oceaneering; Fabrication Specialties Inc. (FSI)
Product: Transition spools; hot tap assembly
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Various facilities
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and pressure testing at various facilities.
- Covered transition spools and a hot tap assembly.
NOV 2011 – AUG 2012
Client: Shell
Mars B Expansion Project
Vendor: Quality Connector Systems (QCS); C&J Cladd; Breaux Machine
Product: Various sized subsea pipeline connectors
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Various facilities
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and pressure testing of various sized subsea pipeline connectors.
JAN 2012 – MAY 2012
Client: Aker Solutions
Tungsten Explorer Project
Vendor: McGuffy Systems
Product: High-pressure piping spools
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Houston, TX
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of high-pressure piping spools per ASME B.31.3.
MAR 2011 – AUG 2011
Client: Noble Energy
Tamar Project
Vendor: Phoenix Pump Inc.
Product: Fire water pump skids with vertical lift pumps; pressure piping
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Houston, TX
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of fire water pump skids with vertical lift pumps.
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of pressure piping per ASME B31.3.
JAN 2011 – MAR 2011
Client: Penn West Energy
Vendor: Products Fabrication Inc.
Product: 24” OD shell horizontal produced water filters with Yale figure #500 closures
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Houston, TX
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of horizontal filters per ASME Section 8 div. 1.
JUN 2010 – DEC 2010
Client: Kiewit
Cobra Castor Project
Vendor: Phoenix Pump Inc.
Product: Diesel fuel pump skid; pressure piping
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Houston, TX
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of pressure piping per ASME B31.3.
- Covered a diesel fuel pump skid.
AUG 2010 – NOV 2010
Client: Kiewit
Cobra Castor Project
Vendor: Houston Vessel Manufacturing
Product: 48” OD shell vertical air receiver vessels
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Houston, TX
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of vertical air receiver vessels per PED (Pressure Equipment Directive).
SEP 2010 – DEC 2010
Client: Chevron
AMEC Paragon
Vendor: Jett Weld
Product: 20” OD shell vertical relief line accumulator vessel
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Houston, TX
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of a vertical relief line accumulator per ASME Section 8 div. 1.
JAN 2010 – APR 2010
Client: BP
Isabela Tie Back Project
Vendor: Tex Fab
Product: 78” OD shell heavy-wall inlet separator with inlet vortex tube cluster and vane mist extractor
Position: Surveyor/Inspector
Location: Cypress, TX
- Witnessed fabrication, welding, NDE, and hydrostatic testing of a horizontal separator per ASME Section 8 div. 1.
- Covered equipment designed to meet ASME Section 8 div. 1 and sour service requirements per NACE MR-0175.
Skills
- Quality Management
- QA/QC Inspection
- Welding Inspection
- Welding Procedure Development
- Welding Procedure Consultation
- Third-Party Inspection
- Vendor Surveillance
- Expediting
- Inspection Coordination
- Subsea Equipment Inspection
- Coating Inspection
- NDE and Destructive Testing Coordination
- Client Representation
- Inspector Resourcing
- Quality Audits
- Customer Specification Review
- Welder Training
- Productivity Improvement
Commodities
- Subsea Drilling Tools
- Wellhead Systems
- Pressure Vessels
- Casing and Well Screens
- Completion Tools
- Structural Steel
- Structural Girders and Trusses
- Filter Vessels
- Demisting Vessels
- Skid Packages
- Skid Bases
- Subsea Manifolds
- Process Piping
- Pipelines
- Subsea PLETs / PLEMs
- Subsea Mud Mats
- Hydraulic Distribution Units
- Chemical Injection Skids
- Subsea Connectors
- Oil Meter Skids
- Flexible Risers
- Venturi Tubes
- BOP Stacks
- Tanks
- Valves
- Metering Skids
- Prover Skids
- Orifice Plates
- Forged Fittings
- Heat Exchangers
- Pumps
- Pipeline Buckle Arrestors
- Hydraulic Flying Leads
- Pressure Caps
- ROV Intervention Panels
- Valve Actuators
- Closures
- Filters and Strainers
- Compressor Skids
- Nitrogen Generation Skids
- Jacket Grippers and Grout Packers
- Crew Shelters / Living Quarters
- Flexible Joints
- Umbilical Termination Assemblies
- CVC Connector Bodies
- Fire Water Pump Skids
- Vertical Lift Pumps
- Produced Water Filters
- Air Receiver Vessels
- Separators
- Vane Mist Extractors