The U.S. oil and natural gas industry has long operated globally, often in unstable regions overseas where security is an integral part of providing for the world’s energy needs. After September 11th, 2001, the industry partnered with federal and local authorities to reevaluate and strengthen our domestic security.
Companies adapted their overseas security experience to domestic installations.Nationwide, oil and gas companies made major investments in construction, training and communications all the way from wellheads and offshore platforms to tankers, ports, pipelines, refineries, storage tanks, and most importantly, employees and their communities.
The partnership forged between the oil and natural gas industry and government at all levels is now working to protect hundreds of facilities across the country from the potential of terrorist attacks. In addition, early warning systems are now in place to make sure that company security officials are alerted to intelligence that might signal a threat.
Three steps: Find Vulnerabilities, Enact Countermeasures and Communicate Threats
API and other associations produced an industry-wide method for managers to identify security vulnerabilities in their operations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) endorsed these protocols. Version two, which was produced in October of 2004, expands the coverage to pipeline, truck, rail and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations.
API and federal security personnel also completed the “Security Guidelines for the Petroleum Industry,” to help managers protect facilities and respond to changes in the threat level. This guidance is now in routine use as a roadmap for companies in deciding how best to protect all sectors of the industry against the threat of attack. These are the working methods and countermeasures the oil sector uses to protect all segments of the industry.
To sort out and streamline communications from law enforcement agencies to the industry, API and Department of Energy (DOE) founded the “Energy ISAC”, or Information Sharing and Analysis Center. The Energy-ISAC is an Internet-based, secure, early warning system for making sure that threats and suspicious behavior are relayed between oil and gas operators and homeland security agencies. It is available free to all eligible operators in North America through funding from the DOE.
Over the last three years, the Department of Homeland Security has assumed primary responsibility for the security of domestic infrastructure. Both the federal Energy and Transportation Departments also have key roles for guaranteeing energy assurance and transport of hazardous materials.
In that time, government inspectors have examined refineries and other key energy production assets and conducted cyber-attack vulnerability tests on critical oil and gas facilities. On the West Coast, DOE and DHS conducted an oil sector system-wide assessment on counter terrorism measures.
Complying with Post 9-11 Security Laws
The industry has worked hard to meet and exceed new security requirements enacted by the Congress since September 11th.
Under the Maritime Transportation Security Act, the U.S. Coast Guard inspects oil tankers, barges, many refineries and numerous other storage and shipping facilities. API prepared for a new era in the regulation of oil tankers by meeting on multiple occasions with the Coast Guard and DOE. The Coast Guard’s Director of Port Security praised API and company efforts that led to no major interruptions in energy supplies to the U.S.
Under the Patriot Act, carriers of hazardous materials are subject to background checks and must prepare security plans to protect themselves and their employees.
API adopted recommended practices for managers of offshore platforms to prepare for possible terrorist attacks. This practice is to be used as a reference standard for the federal government.
To provide an early warning against potential cyber terrorist attacks against pipeline computer systems, API published new standards for monitoring the movement of oil through pipelines. The standard is called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.
In the summer of 2004, 19 oil and gas associations created the Oil and Natural Gas Homeland Security Coordination Council to give the government a single point of reference for the industry when it is needed.
Outlook: Focus on Security
Oil and natural gas operations are now safer and more secure as a result of the public-private partnerships and numerous new federal security requirements. These public-private partnerships and new security laws have strengthened the reliable flow of energy to consumers.
Congress has been wise to avoid passing environmental mandates and public release of security information proposed in the name of protecting the industry from terrorist attacks. These would be disruptive to ongoing security operations.
The oil and gas industry is committed to protecting the reliable supply network of fuels and products to keep our economy growing. Our oil and gas infrastructure is the most reliable in the world andour aim is to continue our coordinated efforts to enhance our infrastructure security.
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