Electrical System Studies ▫ Halker Consulting

Case Study

Electrical System Studies

Bakken Basin

North Dakota

Power Infrastructure

System Studies

Scope
Build an ETAP Model
Perform the Following Studies:

Load Flow
Short Circuit
Protection Coordination
Arc Flash Analysis

Challenge
The client reached out to Halker to perform electrical studies on both existing and new-built assets. Through the studies, Halker would be able to advise the client on proper sizing of service, feeder, and branch circuits while maintaining adequate protective device coordination to decrease the risk of Arc Flash injuries. The goal was to make the client compliant per NEC regulations as well as the NFPA-70E standards for arc flash safety.

Solution
Halker Consulting engineers provided a comprehensive study to evaluate each asset and made recommendations on how to improve the system based on the system model. Halker Consulting provided the following deliverables for each site to study the client’s electrical systems:

Comprehensive ETAP model of all equipment on site
Load flow study to address any overloading on equipment, maintain proper conductor sizing per the NEC, and assess voltage drop issues in the system
Short-circuit study to verify that all equipment is properly rated for maximum short circuit current in the system
Coordination study to verify adequate protection of the Client’s assets and mitigate unnecessary tripping of overcurrent protection devices
Arc flash study to assess the risk of potential arc flash at all equipment locations and protect workers from possible harm while on site

Matt Halker

Founder & CEO

Matt Halker is the founder and CEO of Halker Consulting, a multidisciplinary engineering firm specializing in energy and infrastructure solutions across the oil & gas, power, and environmental sectors. Since founding the company in 2006, Matt has led it through nearly two decades of transformation — from designing early large-scale multi-well production facilities during the early shale revolution to expanding into utility and power markets through strategic acquisitions.

Today, Halker operates under the EOS model with three core business units and over 100 technical professionals. Matt serves as the company’s visionary, steering long-term strategy, cultivating emerging markets such as helium processing and off-grid power generation, and championing a culture rooted in adaptability, ingenuity, humility, and service.

Matt has guided the company through market volatility, industry transitions, and complex leadership changes — most recently overseeing a company-wide reorganization, implementing new operational systems, and launching a multi-year technology integration effort to increase engineering efficiency by up to 50%. He’s known for his collaborative leadership style, his willingness to listen to advisors and his team, and his enduring commitment to helping clients deliver energy to people.

Matt holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Outside of work, he’s a proud father of four, an avid traveler and dirt bike enthusiast, and someone who values freedom — in life, leadership, and thought.

Noelle Ford, PHR, SPHR

Vice President of Human Resources

Noelle Ford graduated from the University of Colorado (Go Buffs!) with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and also has her PHR and SPHR. Her oil & gas career began in 2009 with a recruitment firm specializing in the oil & gas and mining sectors. She joined Halker as the resident human resource and recruiting specialist in 2014 and has been a part of Halker’s growth and success over the last 10 years. Noelle brings a great balance of professionalism and a sense of humor to the office culture, which makes her both approachable and respected among her team mates.

Noelle is a Colorado native and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves seeing movies, plays and travelling around the world.

Jeremy Montoya

Vice President of Shared Services

Jeremy Montoya graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with an Electrical specialty focus in 2010. Jeremy is a licensed professional engineering in multiple states and has over 14 years of experience in consulting engineering and has working in nearly every sector or the business, from oil and gas to food and beverage, mining, pharmaceuticals, commercial and residential applications. Jeremy joined Halker in 2021 and has brought a passion to build up and support staff as they provide quality engineering and design services to every client we have the opportunity to work with. With an eye for detail, value and confident support- our EI&C group will continue to grow and be recognized for their expertise, attentiveness, and quality deliverables in every project. Jeremy has also volunteered engineering services abroad, helping with the design of water/wastewater treatment facilities and medical facilites in Kenya, as well as master plans for facilities in Mexico.

Jeremy and his wife Audrey have 2 children and love traveling and doing anything outdoors. Jeremy loves to hike, play basketball, or ride his electric skateboard.

Kathryn Goodman

Director of Mechanical Engineering & Procurement

Kathryn Goodman graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2011. She is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas and brings over a decade of mechanical and pipeline engineering experience to her role. Throughout her career, Kathryn has worked on both small and large-scale oil and gas projects in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.

Since becoming Director of Halker’s Mechanical Department in 2022, Kathryn has been instrumental in ensuring high quality of execution on all projects, drawing on her diverse background to enhance the team’s performance.

Originally from Austin, Texas, Kathryn now resides in Houston with her husband and three children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, playing games, and traveling with her family.

Mike Czuchna

Vice President of Oil & Gas Facilities

Mike Czuchna is a licensed professional engineer and graduate of University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 2001. He has more than 18 years of experience in Engineering consulting firms in the Mining, Power, and Oil & Gas industries working on numerous projects. Additionally, he has worked on the upstream Oil & Gas producer side of the business. He has brought his experience to Halker’s Upstream Facilities & Process Department since 2024 ensuring that our upstream clients receive exceptional quality and value in facility engineering and design.

Steve Treadwell

President

Steve Treadwell joined Halker in January 2025. Steve previously founded SpareBox Storage and served for three years as its CEO. SpareBox is a pioneer in remote self storage management with 109 locations across nine states and proprietary software solutions for remote management. Prior to SpareBox, he spent six years with National Storage Affiliates (NSA), the publicly traded self-storage REIT, where he served in a variety of roles including Chief Operating Officer and President of iStorage. Prior to NSA, Mr. Treadwell spent five years in finance and treasury management with ProLogis, the world’s largest industrial REIT. Steve began his career with the US Air Force, where he served for 11 years as an officer and instructor pilot in the C-21 Learjet and the KC-10 Tanker.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master’s in Business Administration degree at Harvard University. Steve is married with two kids, ages 20 and 16, and he has lived in Parker CO for nearly 20 years.

Cory Shattuck

Vice President of Power Services

Cory Shattuck is the Vice President of Power Services at Halker, based in Centennial, Colorado. With a career spanning roles such as Director of Power Delivery, Utility-scale Solar Technical Manager, Substation Technical Manager, and various engineering positions, Cory brings a wealth of experience to the energy sector. Cory’s expertise includes substation design, medium-voltage underground collection systems, electrical studies, and relay settings. In his current role, he leads the Power Services division, overseeing project execution, technical excellence, and strategic growth. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to quality, safety, and innovation in power delivery solutions. He has served as a Quality Manager for a key client and contributed to both Quality and Safety Committees. Cory holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer.

In his free time, Cory enjoys bowling, golfing, and woodworking. He and his wife have a child and enjoy traveling and trying new dining experiences together.

Jeff Wellen

Vice President of Operations

Jeff Wellen graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in business and economics in 2002. Jeff is a licensed professional engineer with over 22 years of project management, project engineering, and mechanical engineering experience. Most of his professional career has been in the Oil & Gas industry with a wide range of experience across various types of projects including gas treating, LNG, well pad sites, cryogenic processing, biofuels, and more. He has also worked as a field engineer to support construction, as well as in a fabrication shop to oversee module/pipe-rack assembly. As a member of the Halker team since January 2018, his breadth of involvement in various projects provides Jeff a strong basis to provide operation execution support for successful project execution teams through the trials and tribulations when executing any type of project ranging from technical studies to full EPC projects in the rapidly evolving midstream and upstream industry sectors. Jeff was named an Engineering News Record (ENR) Top Young Professional in 2018 for the Mountain States Region.

In his free time, Jeff loves all things outdoors including hunting, camping, and ice fishing. He has lived in Colorado since 1980 with his wife and twin daughters, who also love to go fishing and camping and root for the Nuggets and Broncos! Jeff’s biggest piece of advice for new college grads interested in joining the energy industry is to always work hard to grow and maintain a professional network!

Adam Zwickl

Director of Projects

Adam Zwickl is a licensed engineer and graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2005. He has 17 years of experience in Engineering consulting firms working in the Oil & Gas and Nuclear industries working on a diverse set of projects. His experience spans Advanced Biofuels, Upstream, Midstream, and Gas Treating. He has brought his diverse experience to Halker’s Projects Department since 2023 ensuring that the projects group provides EPC clients with exceptional quality. Adam also serves as a PE/PM on various projects to help with their execution along all aspects of EPC.

Tor Vestad

Director of Process Engineering

Tor Vestad is a graduate of Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical engineering in 2003 and a Masters in 2005. Since 2007, Tor has worked on a diverse set of projects in the Oil & Gas industry. His experience spans Advanced Biofuels, Low Carbon Power, Refineries, Upstream, Midstream, Gas Treating and Acid Gas removal. He has brought his diverse experience to Halker’s Process Department since 2021 ensuring that the Process group provides clients with soundly engineered designs and deliverables.

Originally, from Yakima WA, Tor grew up on an apple and pear orchard and came to Colorado to attend CSM where he met his wife and settled down.

Paul Brennan

Director of Automation

Paul Brennan is an industrial automation specialist, PLC programmer, business manager and product development professional. He graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Paul now has over 25 years of experience providing industrial automation solutions and large-scale automation integration projects for oil & gas, water/wastewater, irrigation, and greenhouse industries in the US and Eastern Europe. Paul’s career has been spent developing leading edge, revolutionary automation products, and in the process, he has obtained several US Patents. Paul has notably designed products such as PADPro, PADManager, PROView and QLogiX for upstream oil & gas facilities, utilizing state of the art technologies with PLC’s and high-powered single board computers to provide advanced data collection and data processing at the well head.

Paul has a knack for being able to create logical solutions for industrial processes, dedication to hard work, and his relentless drive distinguishes him as an industry leading expert. He describes his greatest achievements around his ability to identify, manage and drive talented individuals and contractors towards a common team goal. In his spare time, Paul is a hot rod enthusiast and enjoys building and restoring classic cars. You can also find him outdoors year-round hunting, fishing or playing golf.

Dan Sirridge

Director of Piping Design

Daniel Sirridge graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2003. Starting his career in architecture, he worked on various project types ranging from religious and educational projects to large government projects. In 2009 Dan continued his career, transitioning to the Oil and Gas Industry, starting work at Halker Consulting. Through the years, Dan has been a key contributor and design-lead for many various upstream and midstream oil and gas projects. These project types include: salt water injection facilities, well-pad facilities, compressor stations, and plant retrofits.

In Daniel’s free time he enjoys being part of a pool team, playing disc golf, and enjoying Colorado and everything that the state has to offer.

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