CRITICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE: NEXT STEPS ON USG

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004562

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NSC FOR HINNEN; DOE FOR IE; STATE FOR S/CT, PM/PPA,
NEA/ARP, EB/ESC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2016
TAGS: ENRG PTER EPET KU OIL SECTOR
SUBJECT: CRITICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE: NEXT STEPS ON USG
- KUWAITI COOPERATION

REF: A. KUWAIT 4506

B. KUWAIT 4507

C. KUWAIT 4425

D. KUWAIT 3071

E. 05 KUWAIT 4400

Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) On 29 November, Econoff met with Ali Al-Obaid,
Deputy Chairman of Kuwait's Oil Sector Services Company
(OSSCo) to discuss opportunities to expand USG-GOK
cooperation to enhance the security of Kuwait's critical
energy infrastructure. OSSCo is a new subsidiary of Kuwait
Petroleum Corporation (KPC) that has been tasked with
assuming oil sector security responsibilities for all of the
KPC subsidiary companies. Currently, each subsidiary
(including Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait National Petroleum
Company, Petrochemical Industries Company, and others)
maintains responsibility for most of its own security.
Econoff conveyed that APHSCT Townsend had appreciated the
energy sector security briefing and tour of security features
at Kuwaiti refineries on 14 November (Ref A). Econoff also
explained that President of the National Security Bureau and
former Energy Minister Shaykh Ahmed Al-Fahad had expressed
interest in USG assistance on Kuwait's energy infrastructure
security in separate meetings with Townsend (Ref B) and with
the Ambassador (Ref C).

OSSCo Gradually Consolidating Security Responsibilities
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2. (S/NF) Al-Obaid said that OSSCo was still in the early
stages of assuming its security mandate. He expects the
entire process to take between 18 months and two years. In
the mean time, OSSCo is acting in a limited capacity as
coordinator of security functions and activities across the
various KPC subsidiaries through the KPC Higher Security
Committee which is chaired by OSSCo Chairman Shaykh Talal
Al-Khalid Al-Sabah. Al-Obaid suggested that Post communicate
directly with Shaykh Ahmed of the NSB to determine what
should be the next steps in bi-lateral cooperation on energy
infrastructure security. Al-Obaid did emphasize, however,
that he thinks the Kuwaitis already have all the help and
expertise they need with regard to vulnerability assessments,
proposals for new equipment and systems, and tactical advice
from reputable private sector consultants and suppliers.
Al-Obaid said that what Kuwait most needs at this point is
advice and assistance regarding long-term strategic planning.
He said this was the area in which the USG could offer the
most value. Al-Obaid also said OSSCo would welcome
intelligence sharing from the USG since, he said, useful
intelligence generally stagnates at the ministerial level
rather than filtering down to the managerial level. (Note:
these last two statements echo remarks that Al-Obaid made to
Econoff in August (Ref D).

NSB - Best Point of Contact to Plan and Coordinate Efforts
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3. (S/NF) Al-Obaid explained that energy infrastructure
security responsibilities are still effectively divided among
KPC, the Vital Installations Security Group at the Ministry
of Interior, and the Security Decision Follow-up Committee,
an inter-ministerial group made up of senior and retired
officers from the NSB, Army, National Guard, and Police which
expedites the implementation of security upgrades and reports
directly to the Cabinet. Al-Obaid indicated that Shaykh
Ahmed of the NSB would be the single point of contact best
able to direct and coordinate the efforts of each of these
different groups.

Several Security Enhancements in the Works
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4. (S/NF) According to Al-Obaid, OSSCo meets frequently
with security consultants offering recommendations and
security equipment contractors hawking their wares. OSSCo's
lead consultant is Global Village, a British company.
Al-Obaid outlined a list of OSSCo's near-to-medium term plans
which include: canine units at each of the gates to the
refineries, an additional layer of hydraulic vehicle barriers
for inbound and outbound traffic, new concrete watchtowers
around the perimeters of the refineries, development of a KPC
patrol boat force (in addition to the Coast Guard) to protect
seaward approaches to energy infrastructure, installation of
a comprehensive sonar system and underwater barriers to

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prevent attacks by divers, and the purchase of
remote-controlled jet skis capable of launching sound
grenades and nets. Al-Obaid clarified that OSSCo has not yet
signed contracts for any of these projects. OSSCo has,
however, already graduated 473 security guards from a new
9-month training program and expects to graduate an
additional 225 in three months. (For additional detail on
the condition and organization of Kuwait's critical energy
infrastructure, see Refs D and E.)

TDY DOE Expert in Riyadh
--------------


5. (S/NF) During a November 20 secure video conference
organized by S/CT, participants discussed infrastructure
security planning work being done with Saudi Arabia,
including an initiative to bring a Department of Energy
representative with relevant expertise to the region for a
long-term TDY assignment based in Riyadh. It would make
sense to consider whether Kuwait, with its very similar
infrastructure issues, could be included in the scope of this
mission.
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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s

Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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LEBARON