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Securing Oil and Gas Assets
Figure 3: Physical Security Solutions in Refineries
technologies continues, point solutions that operate in stand-alone
silos should be avoided.
• The amount of data processed during an incident response should
be managed; using data from all sensors can cause a data overload.
• Redundant, resilient and self-healing network and power capabilities
are mandated for the deployment of physical security systems.
• Forensics data should be documented and reviewed to constantly
improve response and risk mitigation.
• When sending state-of-the-art physical security technology
overseas, compliance with international export rules and regulations
must be ensured.
• The impact if the technology were to fall into hostile hands must
be considered.
• Deployment of high-end security devices must be supported and
maintained in remote geographical locations, with planning for
Figure 4: Importance of Information Technology Security
minimal on-site support and replacement training for local staff.
• Technology alone cannot be relied on. Proper personnel training,
security operational procedures and documented/automated
incident response plans will always prevail.
• Quarterly emergency security drills are necessary to ensure that
personnel practise operational procedures in case of an
incident/emergency.
• Personnel should be audited regularly to ensure appropriate security
training is being undertaken and practised.
• When deploying security technology, it is important not to lose
focus on business objectives.
Relevant Additional Information
Concurrently, the company’s C2 centre was receiving logical security
logs from the network infrastructure and logical perimeter protection Intrinsically Safe Technology
tools to help better correlate security breaches and events. SCADA Another important consideration for security infrastructure within energy
information was also provided to the command consul as a means of producing assets is that they must be designed for harsh climates and
providing realtime status of exploration and production of the assets. poor lighting and need to be intrinsically safe (class 1, division 1 and 2
This was important as it influenced the sequence and criticality of rating). Intrinsically safe equipment is defined as “equipment and wiring
decisions that needed to be made in case of a security incident during which is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy under
drilling and exploration. The company’s end result was a system with normal or abnormal conditions to cause ignition of a specific hazardous
a geographical information system (GIS) interface that provided not atmospheric mixture in its most easily ignited concentration” (ISA-RP12.6).
only a global dashboard-style physical security view of all assets, but Class 1 includes flammable gases; division 1 includes environments where
also the ability to make better informed decisions during an incident. explosive material is present in the air at all times; and division 2 includes
The initial costs of the system were high, but the company’s return environments where explosive material is stored in sealed containers and
on investment was rapidly recognised by the savings that were explosive material is only present for short time intervals.
achieved through deterring attacks and ensuring fluid production by
reducing damage to personnel and assets in the event that a security Government Mandates
incident occurred. Government mandates are also driving the need for increased physical
security for energy assets. For example, the Maritime Transportation
Lessons Learned Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 is intended to protect US ports and
Throughout this case study, some valuable lessons in energy asset waterways from terrorist attacks. It mandates that certain foreign-flagged
security have been learned: vessels, such as LNG and oil tankers, entering US waterways meet specific
security requirements and comply with the International Ship and Port
• Information technology (IT) and physical security personnel are Security Code. In addition, tankers and other high-risk vessels must be
essential to designing, deploying, managing and operating physical equipped with automatic identification systems that will allow vessel
security systems. tracking and monitoring while travelling on US navigable waters.
• Interoperability of old and new systems is a must.
• Proprietary closed security management systems should be avoided. The MTSA also specifies that all US port facilities deemed at risk of a
• The aim should be open-source systems that comply with global ‘transportation security incident’ (TSI), such as LNG marine terminals
standards, are easy to learn and operate and efficiently and fossil fuel processing and storage facilities, must prepare and
communicate/interoperate with other systems. implement security plans for deterring such incidents to the “maximum
• As the gradual migration of old to new security systems and extent practicable”.
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EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION – OIL & GAS REVIEW 2008 – VOLUME 6 ISSUE II
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