CRITICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE: ADDITIONAL DETAIL

S E C R E T KUWAIT 004581

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: ENRG PTER EPET KU OIL SECTOR
SUBJECT: CRITICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE: ADDITIONAL DETAIL
ON AREAS OF POSSIBLE USG-KUWAITI COOPERATION

REF: KUWAIT 4562

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S/NF) On December 6, Econoff spoke with Ali Al-Obaid,
Deputy Chairman of Kuwait's Oil Sector Services Company
(OSSCo) to seek further clarification of Kuwaiti needs for
USG assistance on critical energy infrastructure security.
OSSCo is the subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)
responsible for security. This discussion followed a meeting
with Al-Obaid on the same subject on 29 November (reftel).
Al-Obaid expanded on his previous comments concerning
possible USG assistance with long-term strategic planning,
saying that what the GOK needed was assistance with planning,
organization, and managerial processes rather than tactics,
equipment and physical infrastructure. When asked for
specific requirements, Al-Obaid answered that the GOK needs
advice on matters such as:

-- Optimizing the structure and staffing of the energy
infrastructure security organization;

-- Establishing performance benchmarks and metrics;

-- Developing systems to identify and revise long-term
objectives and enable planning and investment decisions to
meet those objectives;

-- Designing processes for continual updates of threat
assessments and corresponding adjustments to security posture;

-- Improving the initial training and qualification program
for security personnel;

-- Designing a system for periodic re-qualification,
retraining, drills, and exercises;

-- Creating an effective system for intelligence
dissemination.


2. (S/NF) Al-Obaid explained that what Kuwait does not need
are more vulnerability assessments, tactical recommendations,
and proposals for new hardware and technology. He also
emphasized that OSSCo is not actively seeking USG assistance,
but if assistance is being offered, he would prefer that it
be in the areas outlined above. He added that OSSCo's lead
consultant, the British firm Global Village, is working with
KPC security managers to complete a study by the end of
January 2007 which will address some of the points listed
above. Al-Obaid said the best time for the USG to send
advisors would be in March, after completion of the Global
Village study and after Kuwaiti holidays in February.
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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
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Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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LEBARON