There is attention to security and safety details when laying pipes. Construction crews from Summit Natural Gas of Maine install a portion of the 130 miles of pipeline that will provide natural gas service for Augusta. Photo courtesy of Summit Natural Gas of Maine

In order to assist petroleum companies evaluate and respond to security threats, the American

Petroleum Institute has:

• Assessed the general types of security risks to the public and to petroleum supplies that each sector may face due to terrorism;
• Identified existing standards, recommended practices, guidance and other operational practices, as well as ongoing initiatives that may mitigate these risks;
• Developed guidance on conducting security vulnerability assessments in the petroleum and petrochemical industries;
• Developed recommended practices for security for offshore oil and gas operations; and
• Worked with the Federal Government, other industry associations and petroleum companies to prepare and distribute appropriate guidance.

Examples of petroleum facility assets subject to potential security risk include:

• Buildings -- Administration offices, corporate offices, control rooms.
• Equipment -- Process units and associated control systems; product storage tanks; surge vessels, boilers, turbines, process heaters, sewer systems.
• Support systems -- Utilities such as natural gas lines, electrical power grid and facilities (including back-up power systems), water-supply systems, wastewater treatment facilities.
• Transportation interface -- Railroad lines and railcars, product loading racks and vehicles, pipelines entering and leaving facility, marine vessels and dock area, offsite storage areas.
• Cyber systems and information technology -- Computer systems, networks, all devices with remote maintenance ports, SCADA systems, laptops, PDAs and cell phones.