John Stout

Born in Seminole, Oklahoma, graduated from Healdton High School in 1958.  As a young man roughnecked the floors and derricks of drilling rigs in the oil fields of Oklahoma. Attended Oklahoma State University. Served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, graduated OCSRC at Fort Benning, Ga. and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lt. after 9-years service.

Work Experience

From 1966 – 1974 Mr. Stout worked in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Shell Oil Exploration & Production in New Orleans, La.

  • Installed and maintained two-way radio and microwave equipment on offshore rigs and boats
  • Maintained Computer Controlled Well Testing System/Platform Production Surveillance (the forerunner of current computer controlled SCADA systems)
  • Was promoted to Engineering Assistant-Instrument & Electrical
  • Assisted with research & design of Surface & Subsurface Safety Systems
  • Assisted with design of Large Engine–Generators w/ Heat Recovery & Motor Control Centers
  • Designed & installed Crude Oil Automatic Custody Transfer Measurement Systems
  • Assisted with DC power & control system maintenance on Company owned deepwater drilling rigs
  • Taught seminars on operation and maintenance of various safety and control systems

In 1974, transferred to Shell Pipe Line Company, General Engineering, in Houston, Texas.

  • Assisted with the design & installation of Electrical Power, measurement and control systems for a major 40-inch, 600-mile crude oil pipeline system
  • Designed and installed liquid meter measurement, sampling and control systems for two tanker unloading docks and onshore storage facilities (using Turbine & PD Meters)
  • Assisted with the design & installation of SCADA systems for pipeline surveillance & operation with special emphases on Microwave Digital Signal delays
  • Developed Automated Meter Proving Strategies for multiple large Turbine & PD meters with special applications for Large Tanker offloading
  • Assisted with the design & installation of Electrical Power & Control Systems for a major 12-inch, 300-mile Ethylene Pipeline System
  • Assisted with the development of Initial displays, control strategies and hardware for a large Consolidated Pipeline Control Center in Houston, Texas
  • Developed several Flow Computer programs for product measurement with remote control of Meter Prover Functions for Tanker Docks & Main Lines

In 1979, had a brief separation for Shell Pipe Line as Maintenance Electrician at a tire manufacturing plant in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

In 1981 was rehired and transferred to Shell Pipeline Co. New Orleans area (Norco).

  • Installed Line Integrity Surveillance Systems for SPLC Gulf Coast Division
  • Installed NJEX LPG odorization and Turbine Meter Measurement Systems for Propane & Propylene Rail Car Loading Dock
  • Developed Flow Computer programs (SPLCRUDE, SPLCPROD) for crude oil and product measurement
  • Assisted with design of (Daniel 2522) automated offshore LACT measurement panel
  • Developed flow computer program for measurement of chemical products flow and inventory of Underground Salt Dome Storage caverns
  • Specified and /or installed Modbus RS-485 Tank Gauges and Blend Packs at Fuel Products Terminal
  • Specialized in remote operation of product pipeline measurement and storage systems

In 1998 retired from Shell Pipeline Co. after 30-years accredited service.

Started:  J. Stout Controls, LLC, Flow Measurement and Control Consultant.

  • Specializing OmniFlow Computer training, system design, programming, troubleshooting and installation of crude oil and refined product measurement, Pump Control and small SCADA applications, both onshore and offshore