Protecting Our Reliable Supply of Fuel

After September 11th, 2001, the U.S. oil and natural gas industry partnered with federal and local authorities to reevaluate and strengthen our domestic security.

Nationwide, oil and gas companies made major investments in construction, training and communications. All the way from the wellheads to the offshore platforms changes were made. The oil tankers, ports, pipelines, refineries, and storage tanks were all reevaluated and all necessary construction was done. And most importantly, employees and their communities were informed of the important security policy changes and/or trained.

Now in place are early warning systems to make sure that all security officials in the oil and natural gas industry are alerted to intelligence that might signal a threat. The industry partnering with the government at all levels is now working to protect hundreds of facilities across the country from the potential of terrorist attacks.

The American Petroleum Industry and related associations produced an industry-wide method for managers to identify security vulnerabilities in their operations. These protocols were endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In October of 2004, additional protocols were established to expand the coverage to pipeline, truck, rail and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations.

The oil sector uses an API compiled document “Security Guidelines for the Petroleum Industry,” to help managers protect their facilities and respond to changes in the threat level. Available free to all eligible operators in North America, an internet-based, secure, early warning system is in place for making sure that threats and suspicious behavior are relayed between oil and gas operators and homeland security agencies.

Government inspectors have examined refineries and other key energy production assets and conducted cyber-attack vulnerability tests on critical oil and gas facilities. In the summer of 2004, nineteen 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.

As a result of the public-private partnerships and numerous new federal security requirements, oil and natural gas operations are now safer and more secure. These partnerships and new security laws have strengthened the reliable flow of energy to consumers.

The oil and gas companies like Triple Diamond Energy Corporation are committed to protecting the reliable supply network of fuels and products to safely keep our economy growing. The goal is to continue coordinated efforts in the industry working with government officials to enhance the homeland infrastructure security.