Join or Sign in

Register for your free asmag.com membership or if you are already a member,
sign in using your preferred method below.

To check your latest product inquiries, manage newsletter preference, update personal / company profile, or download member-exclusive reports, log in to your account now!
Login asmag.comMember Registration
https://www.asmag.com/rankings/survey.aspx
INSIGHTS

Technologies needed to secure oil and gas facilities

Technologies needed to secure oil and gas facilities
Oil and gas is one of the most critical industries in the national economy. As such they must be properly secured at all times. This article looks at some of the technologies needed to secure oil and gas facilities.
Oil and gas is one of the most critical industries in the national economy. As such they must be properly secured at all times. This article looks at some of the technologies needed to secure oil and gas facilities.
 

Video surveillance

 
Video surveillance is important for oil and gas operators for many reasons. First and foremost, it serves as a deterrence tool for those intending to commit crimes. “Video security is critical for managing oil and gas facilities. Typically, video security is used to detect and respond to incidents. What is commonly overlooked is the deterrence factor of physical security devices. If perpetrators are looking for vulnerabilities they will be deterred by the presence of cameras on oil and gas sites,” said Clay Cassard, VP of Global Enterprise Mobile Video, NA Critical Infrastructure and Carriers at Motorola Solutions.
 
The most important pieces of equipment in video surveillance systems deployed at oil and gas facilities are the cameras, which help ensure the security and safety at the site.
 
“Cameras are often deployed in hazardous areas to monitor the implementation of safety protocols that protect workers’ who are responsible for operating heavy machinery. Panoramic cameras are good for scanning large areas; single-lens cameras, like dome or bullet cameras, are good for monitoring equipment, gauges and valves,” Cassard said. “Another good camera for the oil and gas sector are optical gas imaging cameras, which can be used to monitor methane leaks and notify personnel so that the release of harmful gasses into the atmosphere is minimized. Hazardous areas that have highly combustible gas should incorporate intrinsically-safe cameras. Many refineries or maritime oil and gas facilities require corrosion resistant cameras in place to extend the life of the cameras’ internal components.”
 
“Security leaders can use PTZ, thermal, and high-resolution megapixel cameras to address challenging visual conditions in an oil and gas environment. Panoramic cameras would also be beneficial in these environments, specifically with an enhanced de-warping tool to bring clearer images to operators,” said Greg Colaluca, GM of Intellicene.
 
It should also be noted that cameras should be hardened to work properly at oil and gas facilities where conditions are always challenging. Any connectivity issues should also be addressed.
 
“Cameras must be ruggedized to cope with extreme environmental conditions. The use of thermal cameras can also make sense for specific use cases. In order to overcome the connectivity issues, the VMS used to manage the camera network needs to be designed to work offline/standalone with the capability of being managed centrally over a non-permanent/low bandwidth connection,” said Andreas Conrad, VP of Marketing, Physical Security at the Safety, Infrastructure and Geospatial Division of Hexagon.
 
Oi and gas operators can also benefit from other advanced tool such as AI and voice-down features to boost security even more. “AI-enabled video monitoring is particularly beneficial for critical infrastructure environments like oil and gas facilities. By employing AI-powered tools, security teams can proactively identify anomalies in real-time, preventing incidents before they escalate into costly issues. The addition of trained operators monitoring these systems ensures swift recognition and response to potential threats. Integrating audio capabilities further enhances the system's effectiveness — security personnel can use voice-down features to deliver targeted warnings, deterring further activity by providing specific, situationally relevant information,” said Kurt Takahashi, CEO of Netwatch.
 
He adds: “This proactive approach represents the future of security for facilities in high-risk areas, emphasizing prevention over reaction. By stopping crime and mitigating threats at the earliest stage, security teams can better safeguard their assets and ensure operational continuity.”
 

Access control

 
Access control systems plays a key role in the security of oil and gas facilities. It restricts access to sensitive locations such as pump stations, metering facilities, and valve sites with access cards, biometrics or mobile credentials, ensuring that only authorized personnel, such as operators and maintenance teams, can enter these areas,
 
“Comprehensive access control solutions are vital across all levels of the oil and gas industry. In this mission-critical sector, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access high-value resources and equipment is essential. Flexible access control systems enable facilities to modernize infrastructure while meeting stringent security requirements. These scalable platforms can be customized to address the unique challenges of these sites, providing robust oversight to manage personnel access, monitor high-security areas, and protect sensitive data,” said Alex Holmström, Global Sales Director at acre security.
 

Intrusion detection

 
Intrusion detection solutions are also valuable tools for security teams at the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.
 
“For remote oil extraction sites, seismic and motion detectors paired with intrusion alarms can help detect intrusions where cameras may not be able to see. Additionally, cloud-based options empower teams to monitor and manage sensors from virtually anywhere, allowing for greater control over unmanned sites,” Holmström said.
 
For intrusion detection to be more effectives, advanced solutions may be considered in place of conventional solutions. “Traditional intrusion detection/fence protection may not fulfil advanced security needs. More sophisticated technologies such as LiDAR-based 3D surveillance create better situational awareness and understanding, allowing for a more targeted response,” Conrad said.


Product Adopted:
Other
Subscribe to Newsletter
Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in physical security

Share to: