SECURITY GAPS IN QATAR'S ONSHORE OIL FACILITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000163 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2017 TAGS: ECON EPET QA ASEC PTER SUBJECT: SECURITY GAPS IN QATAR'S ONSHORE OIL FACILITY ¶1. (U) Summary. On January 30 Ambassador and Emboffs visited Qatar Petroleum's Dukhan compound and oil field. Qatar Petroleum is undertaking a major infrastructure upgrade at Dukhan to improve the administrative and living spaces. No armed guards were present at the compound and the area was protected with inconsistent fencing. End Summary. -------------- ENERGY RESOURCES -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) Qatar Petroleum's (QP) Onshore Operations Manager hosted the Ambassador and Embassy officials during a visit to Dukhan. Dukhan is Qatar's oldest oilfield; it supplies 335,000 barrels per day (b/d) of oil -- about 40 percent of Qatar's total oil production. Dukhan also produces 115,000 b/d of raw natural gas liquid, 36,000 b/d of stabilized condensates, and both associated and non-associated gas. In the area there are 208 standard oil production wells, 181 power water injection wells, and 14 gas injection wlls. All of the energy resources supplied out o Dukhan are moved via pipeline to Mesaieed port.QP is using some water injection to maintain the ressure in its oil wells and has limited gas injection to boost oil production. They also are working on an effort to minimize gas flaring. -------------- DUKHAN UPGRADES AND EMPLOYEES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Dukhan compound itself is currently undergoing a USD 536 million renovation; the area's first construction dates from the 1950's. Construction on new employee housing, office space, recreational facilities, and a beautification effort are underway. QP officials told Emboffs that Dukhan employees about 1500 people and about half of the senior staff are Qatari. The British are the largest expatriate group within the senior staff. Most of the Qatari employees were educated in the West, particularly the U.S. While the expatriate employees reside on the compound, the Qatari employees often commute back and forth from Doha at least twice a week. -------------- SECURITY -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) Dukhan's limited security measures have only been in place since 1990. The security division is responsible for the entire field and surrounding township. According to QP, the security division provides both stationary and roaming guards, is in charge of incident investigation and reporting, and liaises with the local police and military authorities. Outside of the compound there are no checkpoints along the road, and the main entrance is poorly staffed with a few guards who did not appear armed. The guards are responsible for visually checking incoming cars for suspicious activity with undercarriage mirrors as is the normal security procedure at some residential compounds in Doha. The main gate itself appeared to be a substantial wrought-iron fence, but it does not go around the entire entrance. ¶5. (C/NF) Inside the compound there are additional security checkpoints. At the main administrative building an unarmed guard controls access to the building with another wrought-iron fence that surrounds the area, and additional security officers were present roaming the area. When asked about the security procedures at Dukhan, the Operations Manager claimed that the company does take protecting the facility very seriously as evidenced by the Qatari police presence directly outside of the main entrance. (Comment: Emboff did observe a small police station outside of the entrance but could not ascertain the level of staffing or whether the staff is armed.) In the event of a security incident the Operations Manager is directly responsible and involved in resolving the situation. ¶6. (C/NF) Around the oil and gas production areas there are chain-link fences to prevent unauthorized access. Emboffs visited one major gas production area during the tour which was protected by three unarmed guards. Throughout the area Emboffs observed exposed pipelines that were protected in some areas by electric fencing. Upon leaving the area Emboffs observed the same electric fencing protecting the field along with cattle grates, probably meant to keep animals away from the area. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C/NF) Although it is Qatar's major oil production area, DOHA 00000163 002 OF 002 Dukhan is surprisingly short staffed in the security arena. Emboffs did not see one armed guard during the entire visit nor any consistent fence protection. Security does not seem to be a major concern to the senior management at Dukhan, perhaps due to the fact that much of the area's investments are old, with the country's main focus now on gas facilities in the north. Emboffs did not confirm whether the central government agencies contribute to the protection of Dukhan, but given the minimal security present, this seems unlikely. Post plans to continue its survey of major energy installations to assess Qatar's existing security infrastructure in subsequent cables. UNTERMEYER