Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DOHA311
2007-03-25 13:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

POST ACTION PLAN FOR ENGAGING QATAR ON ENERGY

Tags:  EPET ASEC ECON PREL QA 
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VZCZCXRO4790
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHDO #0311/01 0841335
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251335Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6392
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000311 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DS/T/ATA (RSOLER),DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC (MHACKMAN),
DS/IP/NEA (TLAAS & MZUPAN),DOE (PWILLGING)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2017
TAGS: EPET ASEC ECON PREL QA
SUBJECT: POST ACTION PLAN FOR ENGAGING QATAR ON ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION

REF: A. DOHA163

B. DOHA201

C. DOHA285

Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000311

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DS/T/ATA (RSOLER),DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC (MHACKMAN),
DS/IP/NEA (TLAAS & MZUPAN),DOE (PWILLGING)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2017
TAGS: EPET ASEC ECON PREL QA
SUBJECT: POST ACTION PLAN FOR ENGAGING QATAR ON ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION

REF: A. DOHA163

B. DOHA201

C. DOHA285

Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D.


1. (C) Qatar's intention to become the world's liquefied
natural gas (LNG) and gas-to-liquids (GTL) leader by 2012
necessitates a robust energy infrastructure security program
that it currently lacks. While the Qataris have adequately
prepared a production and shipping infrastructure for the
booming business, it appears that they are just beginning to
determine how to protect it.


2. (C) The U.S. interest is strong: By 2012 Qatar plans to
produce 77 million tons of LNG annually, a third of which
will be exported to the U.S. market. QatarGas production
trains three and four will produce 2.8 billion cubic feet per
day of LNG and RasGas is currently building two trains with
7.8 million tons per annum capacity. All four of these trains
are allocated for U.S. markets and will be among the largest
in the world. In addition, major U.S. energy companies such
as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips are partners with Qatar and
currently have USD 13 billion invested in Qatar's natural gas
industry.


3. (C) The huge U.S. investments in Qatar's energy industry
coupled with the onset of gas exports in 2008/2009 to the
U.S. presents an opportunity for Washington to collaborate
with the Qatari government and Qatar Petroleum (QP) on the
security of Qatar's critical energy sites. Working together
on improving security is in our mutual economic and national
security interest.

--------------
EMBASSY WORKING GROUP
--------------


4. (C) Post has formed a DCM-led internal working group
comprising Pol/Econ, DAO, SIMO, FCS, and RSO to lay the
ground work for engagement with the GOQ on critical
infrastructure protection. The group will have three
principal roles:

-- Coordinate Mission reporting on the current and future
security operations of international energy and joint venture
companies. Post has already heard a range of comments (Refs

A and B) from industry contacts at various stages of
implementing their own security plans but are all looking to
QP to provide an overarching structure within which to
operate. The Mission will fill information gaps by
maintaining our dialogue with QP on their security plans (ref
C),with international energy companies in Qatar, and with
Qatari security services and the Qatari Armed Forces.

-- Coordinate engagement with the GOQ and lay the groundwork
for an eventual bilateral working group on energy
infrastructure protection.

-- Identify opportunities for U.S. exporters, including U.S.
defense companies, that could contribute to Qatar's
infrastructure protection efforts.


5. (C) The group will also communicate with the Department of
Energy and other agencies to further Qatar's progress on
critical energy infrastructure protection.

--------------
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
--------------


6. (C) The March U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security
Program inspection will further the Embassy working group's
efforts to analyze Qatar's energy security infrastructure.
In April, NAVCENT's Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) will
visit Qatar to bring together Qatari government officials
joint venture companies, and international enery partners to
identify all the parties involved with energy infrastructure
protection.


7. (C) In the medium term, we anticipate forming a joint
working group to continue our dialogue on energy
infrastructure security. The late April visit of Deputy
Secretary of Energy would provide an appropriate opportunity

SIPDIS
to present this idea to the GOQ. Post plans to investigate
the possibility of bringing an extended TDYer from the

DOHA 00000311 002 OF 002


Department of Energy shortly thereafter to work with Post on
continuing discussions with the Qatari government on this
topic. Post also will work with DS/T/ATA to start the formal
Critical Energy Infrastructure program in June to survey
Qatar's infrastructure, recommend improvements, and assist
with implementation.


8. (C) The Qatari government's appreciation for U.S. training
and technology presents numerous prospects for U.S.
commercial activity as the bilateral working group moves
towards implementation. Qatar will need trainers, hard
barriers, weapons, and technological equipment. Offshore
protection is an area with the greatest opportunity as Qatar
will need better and more vessels, plus surveillance
equipment and weapons aboard them. Currently there are no
standardized security practices, leaving a wide range of
necessary preparation from each company and industrial city.
We plan to work with FCS to promote U.S. economic
opportunities in the development Qatar's burgeoning security
infrastructure.
UNTERMEYER