INSIGHTS
Our present world relies heavily on both oil and gas to sustain our required levels of daily energy consumption. Despite the recession and the recent debates regarding extensive oil usage due to both economic and environmental concerns, the oil and gas industry continues to grow and expand while reliable alternative sources of energy have yet to be found. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers in the U.S., a total of 39 business deals within the oil and gas sector were reported and made in a span of three months since July 2010, with a value totaling US$17.6 billion. Due to the combustible nature of oil, gas and other chemicals, these facilities must be fully equipped to prevent a disaster. A fully integrated system can allow for faster response times during emergencies. Everyone who enteres and exits the facility must be fully authorized by means of a secure access control system since these facilities are prime targets for sabotage. Should an accident or miscalculation occur, it can result in a tremendous loss of life as well as negatively affect both the business and the environment, as seen in the disastrous Macondo well leak.
Preventing Disaster in Petrochemical Facilities
Date: 2011/05/10
Source: The Editorial Team
Mobile Solutions
Due to the prevalence of temporary but critical sites, mobile solutions a re us ed. “The y a re us ed in complex locations where there are no structures to place stationary sensors or cameras and at sites of specific operations such as exploring, drilling and shipping,” Ostrovskaya said. Being able to send video feeds out to fire engines, security patrols and guards can facilitate a speedy response. Feeds can be sent over 3-G, Wi-Fi or other wireless networks over long distances, Songe-Moller said.
Portable equipment is used during the construction phase. “During new site construction or exploration, movable cameras and sensors are needed to protect the construction equipment, facility, temoprary storage equiptment and spare parts,” Liong said.
An example of a temporary solution would be a small trailer containing security cameras, a wireless link and lights powered by a generator, Karas said.
Tamper-Proof
Temporary solutions risk being easily removed or tampered with. To prevent this, special housing and locks are used with cameras to prevent them from being easily accessed. “It's also possible to fit mobile units with GPS transponders that alert security personnel to any movement or theft of the platform itself,” Karas said. “Other common techniques include removing wheels and locking the trailer tongue on a towable security trailer to further inhibit theft or movement.”
Anyone caught tampering with equipment faces severe consequences, Alexander said.
Supp ly Chain and Distant Rigs Difficult to Protect
The pipelines used to transport oil and gas are difficult to secure. “Pipelines often traverse miles of open land, either above or below ground,” Karas said.
Since pipelines are not in easily accessible areas, proper surveillance is required. Additional security can be achieved using video analytics and sensors. “They can distinguish actual people approaching the pipeline from nuisance objects like animals or blowing debris,” Karas said. “The devices must be able to operate self-contained and send a notification over a low-bandwidth network, including satellite links, as high-speed network access is generally not available.”