top of page

About Les E. Griffin, P.E.

I’m a Texas-licensed mechanical engineer with nearly 20 years of experience in the deepwater oil & gas industry, focused on designing and delivering reliable, high-performance subsea systems for extreme environments. My background spans both operator and OEM roles, giving me a well-rounded view of what it takes to move critical offshore hardware from concept to field deployment—with confidence and precision.

​

Throughout my career, I’ve served as a technical assurance and project execution lead for a wide range of subsea systems, including:

​

  • HPHT and fatigue-resistant subsea wellhead (SSWH) systems

  • Drilling and production top tension risers (TTRs)

  • Subsea mechanical and hydraulic connectors

  • Riser pull-in and installation systems

  • Structural tendon systems for TLPs

  • Custom lift frames and ROV-deployed tooling

​

I began my career at Dril-Quip, where I led the design and qualification of complex subsea equipment for global deepwater developments. At Shell, I held key technical roles across riser and mooring systems—including fabrication lead for the Olympus TLP tendons, riser pull-in systems lead for Appomattox, and technical assurance lead for Shell’s Gulf of Mexico TTR assets. I also managed Shell’s subsea tooling portfolio for the SURF (subsea, umbilicals, risers, and flowlines) group and provided mechanical design and analysis technical assurance to the Wells team for SSWHs, metal-to-metal seals, and connectors.

​

In 2021, I launched Lateral Engineering Solutions (LES) to provide flexible, high-impact engineering support to equipment suppliers, fabricators, and operators. LES is a Texas-licensed engineering firm focused on mechanical design, structural analysis (FEA), CAD modeling, and project engineering services for subsea and offshore applications.

​

As a consultant, I work directly with client teams to solve tough technical problems, support ongoing design and manufacturing efforts, and help deliver equipment that performs in the field. Whether you need targeted analysis, design optimization, fabrication oversight, or fit-for-service evaluation, LES offers practical, experienced support that integrates seamlessly into your project.

Education

2002-2006

The University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Experience

08/2021 - present

Lateral Engineering Solutions LLC

Founder & Engineering Director

  • Founded and operate Lateral Engineering Solutions LLC, a Texas-licensed engineering firm specializing in subsea and offshore mechanical systems.

  • Serve as Principal Engineer responsible for all licensed engineering services and technical oversight.

  • Provide consulting services across the full equipment lifecycle, including mechanical and structural design, FEA, manufacturing support, testing, field deployment, and fitness-for-service evaluation of subsea equipment and custom-fabricated frames and fixtures.

01/2020-09/2021

Shell

Subsea Tooling Lead

  • Managed Deepwater GoM subsea tooling portfolio including IWOCS, THRAs, Dry Hole Trees and completions support tools.

  • Responsible for tracking/forecasting usage of GoM subsea tooling portfolio and managing M&T rental program for cost recovery.

  • Developed new sharepoint, spreadsheet, and database tools to streamline tracking of vessel/rig schedules, offshore personnel staffing, and tooling usage.

11/2014-12/2019

Shell

Top Tension Riser Engineer

  • Responsible for ongoing technical assurance of Shell owned and operated Top Tension Drilling/Production Riser systems in the GoM.

  • Managed structural capacity and fatigue analysis of TTR systems, utilizing latest data to develop remaining life estimates on a joint-by-joint basis.

  • Managed onshore inspections, dispositions, and refurbishment of TTRs prior to redeployment, often as part of critical path to maintain rig schedule.

  • Technical support for Arctic wellhead systems including post-installation fatigue evaluation and design/management of full-scale fatigue testing.

  • Technical support for Malikai TLP wellhead, connector, riser, and tendon systems.

  • Authored guidance and specifications for fatigue performance of non-DVA subsea wellhead systems. 

9/2013-10/2014

Shell - Appomattox

Riser Pull-in Systems Lead

  • Responsible for development of a novel riser pull-in system consisting of a structural bridge, chain jack, chain, chain handling systems, controls, power, HPU, and precision movement systems.

  • Managed interfaces to Topsides, Hull, Risers, and heavy lift installation vessel.

  • Responsible for development of new riser pull-in methodology without use of lateral steering winches and reduced diving scope.

11/2011-8/2013

Shell - Olympus TLP

Tendon Fabrication Lead 

  • Responsible for fabrication and delivery of qty 16, ~3000ft, 38" Tendons

  • Vendor management of Frank's Casing from receipt of Shell supplied materials thru completion of fabrication and loadout.

  • Managed HSSE interfaces with Frank's (Mode 3 contractor), influencing safety culture of site/company and driving safety improvements of project specific activities.

  • Supported weld qualifications and managed fatigue testing program to meet stringent requirements for the Olympus TLP Tendons.

  • Responsible for oversight of Shell Site Team, including Site Team Lead, several day/night shift CWI's, and 3rd party NDE technicians.

  • Responsible for design, expedited manufacturing, and successful offshore deployment of Tendon Support Buoy Clamp locking mechanisms, which resulted from observations while advising on FAT procedures.

  • Responsible for cathodic protection system design for Olympus Tendons and Piles.

  • Supported Tendon Installation Team including implementation of Tendon Grillage/Seafastening design requirements and providing offshore technical oversight during installation.

06/2006-10/2011

Dril-Quip, Inc.

Specialist Design Engineer

  • Led complex subsea engineering projects from concept through manufacturing and testing, serving as the technical interface between Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, and Quality teams.

  • Managed engineering projects from concept through qualification and delivery, including design, analysis, material selection, and testing. Served as primary client contact and technical lead for major operators. See key project leadership roles detailed below.

09/2010-10/2011

Subsea Lead Engineer 

(Shell Olympus TLP)

  • Directed engineering and project execution for high-fatigue Subsea Wellhead (SSWH) Systems, Threaded Connectors, Hydraulic BOP and Drilling Riser Connectors, Mechanical Production Riser Connectors, Inner Drilling Riser Tieback Connectors, CP Systems, from bid to installation.

05/2009-12/2010

Lead Engineer

(BP GoM 20 ksi HPHT System Development)

  • Led the design, analysis, manufacturing, and qualification testing of 18-3/4” Lockdown Sleeves, 28”/18” Supplemental Hangers & Adapters, Production Hangers, Tooling, Hydrate Diversion Systems, CP system, test fixtures, and directed full SSWH system EFAT and SIT.

01/2008-04/2009

Project Engineer

(Murphy Kikeh Spar 9-5/8” Production TTR System)

  • Led the design and engineering for deepwater 9-5/8" production top tension riser system, including T&C Joints, Slim OD Tieback Connectors, Specialty Joints, Tensioners, Dry Tree Systems, and associated tools.

08/2007-9/2009

Project Engineer

(Shell Perdido Spar 

Hydraulic Riser Connectors)

  • Designed, qualified, and delivered 18-3/4” drilling and production riser hydraulic tieback connectors, including full-scale testing of SSWH hydraulic connector and metal ring gaskets under external pressure, bending, tension, and pressure loads.

  • LinkedIn

©2025 by Lateral Engineering Solutions LLC. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page