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. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * LEBARON