Mario Lugo, P.E.

Mario is recognized as one of the premier subsea experts in the oil and gas industry. With over 40 years of experience in offshore drilling and subsea production systems, Mario’s expertise lies in his innovative approach to solutions for the industry’s most complex challenges.

After graduating from Texas A&M University in Kingsville, Texas with a degree in mechanical/civil engineering, Mario began his career in the oil and gas industry 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 deep water drilling. His experience in drilling technology exposed him to the realm of subsea production systems.

While working on subsea production systems, Mario participated in multiple underwater blowout studies with Boots Hanson (Boots & Coots International Well Control, Inc.). This experience armed him with the expertise to later design tooling for Wild Well Control, Inc., a company tasked with controlling well blowouts in Kuwait after the first Gulf War.

In 1983, Mario and a partner founded Oil Industry Engineering, Inc. Among their designs were the Vertical Jumper Connection System and the Hydraulic Flying Lead Connection System – technology that afforded positive changes and established new industry standards.

Mario established Trendsetter Engineering, Inc. in 1996 as an engineering consultancy firm. In 2007, after 17 years providing expert consulting to ExxonMobil, Mario’s innate entrepreneurial spirit directed the company’s evolution into something more specialized – offshore emergency response. This led to the establishment of Trendsetter’s special projects team.