John G. Bomba, a deepwater marine pipeline design expert who was active with ASCE’s former pipelines division and the Coasts, Oceans, Ports & Rivers Institute, and in planning the Offshore Technology Conference, has died. The ASCE life member was 91.
Bomba, P.E., BC.OE(Dist.), F.ASCE, was a recognized pioneer and expert in pipelines and their use in deepwater transport of oil and gas, from design through installation and operation.
After receiving his civil engineering degree at Texas A&M, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Arizona. His career in the petroleum exploration and production industry began in 1978 with R.J. Brown and Associates. He stayed with the firm as it was acquired over the years, in succession by Kvaerner, Aker, Coeflexip, Stena, Genesis Oil & Gas, and Technip. Bomba remained involved with Genesis Oil & Gas until retiring in 2017. He was a mentor to many along the way.
The ASCE life member contributed to the Society’s Pipelines Division, and he received diplomate status for his participation in COPRI. For many years Bomba was involved in planning and execution of the annual Offshore Technology Conference, for which he received a Distinguished Achievement Award for Individuals in 2017. He was a 2009 fellow of the Marine Technology Society.
Bomba was known as a true Texas Aggie at heart.