 From 1908 to 1917, Oattell was engaged in general practice in San Francisco, with offices in the Foxcroft Building.He made a reconnaissance survey and report on the Valdez-Yukon Railroad project in Alaska, valuations of the Oakland Water-Works System, Oakland, Cal., the Oakland Traction System, and the Los Angeles City Railway System, as well as other valuations covering railways, power, and gas plants.His particular interest in water-front and harbor improvements caused him to be retained by the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railways to report on its Terminal Pier with special reference to the effects of salt water on concrete piers, and, later, as Consulting Engineer for the same Company, in connection with the terminal and harbor developments.