Founder, President and CEO of Trendsetter Engineering, Inc., Mario R. Lugo P.E. is known in the oil and gas industry as one of the premier experts whenever a subsea problem arises. In 2010, he was specifically selected by ExxonMobil to be the subsea lead expert for the BP Macondo Incident.
Lugo’s first career exposure to the oil and gas industry began in the 1970s when he started in drilling technology. His initial experience was gained through BOP controls, an arena that allowed him the opportunity to develop state-of-the-art equipment that ultimately enabled the expansion of deepwater drilling. From drilling technology spawned his exposure to the realm of subsea production systems.
In 1983, Lugo and a partner founded Oil Industry Engineering, Inc. Among their designs are the Vertical Jumper Connection System and the Hydraulic Flying Lead Connection System—technology that afforded positive changes in the industry, perpetuating an evolution toward cluster developments and away from large templates. In 1996, after the sale of Oil Industry Engineering, Lugo created Trendsetter Engineering, Inc., his goal to provide services as an engineering and consultancy firm. In 2006, Trendsetter Engineering identified a niche in the industry and established a highly experienced engineering team while also teaming with a carefully selected supply chain. This group responds quickly and efficiently to any subsea issues that arise from the offshore operators.
Trendsetter Engineering, Inc. is at the forefront of the industry in solving unconventional problems, especially in a crisis environment. Post-Macondo regulations are stricter and require better contingency plans in the event of another subsea blowout. Lugo’s team of subsea engineers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) have to their credit, the design and manufacture of the Interim Capping Stack System for Marine Well Containment Company (MWCC), and a Capping Stack Assembly for Helix Well Containment Group (HWCG). This technology was developed for consortiums of offshore oil companies and operators as a method of providing crisis intervention in the event of another subsea blowout. In addition, Trendsetter Engineering was awarded the contract to configure and build a subsea diverter system for Chevron and is presently, designing and building a Capping Stack System in Alaska for Shell. Mario Lugo and his team of experts have evolved into a group of problem-solvers on which the offshore oil and gas industry depends.
