Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DOHA321
2007-03-26 13:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Doha
Cable title:
QATAR GAS SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD ON SECURITY
how-toVZCZCXRO5477 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHDO #0321/01 0851339 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261339Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6405 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE 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 03 DOHA 000321
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: ECON EPET ASEC EWWT QA
SUBJECT: QATAR GAS SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD ON SECURITY
Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 DOHA 000321
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: ECON EPET ASEC EWWT QA
SUBJECT: QATAR GAS SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD ON SECURITY
Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D.
1. (C) Summary. QatarGas is in the midst of improving its
security procedures with new equipment, better training, and
more security personnel, the goal is to be ISO 28000
compliant in the next two years. While undergoing physical
improvements, the QatarGas head of security is also trying to
raise security awareness amongst all Qatar Gas employees.
QatarGas has a tepid working relationship with Qatar
Petroleum, which can influence but does not mandate QatarGas
security procedures. Cooperation with the other end users in
Ras Laffan is good, but they complain that working with Ras
Laffan City security is problematic due to lacking
communication. Offshore sites remain the largest
vulnerability for QatarGas, although officials assess an
onshore attack is more likely. The Iranian threat is another
concern but the U.S. military presence in Qatar is
reassuring. End Summary.
--------------
MAKING THE BUSINESS CASE
--------------
2. (C) Gordon Penney, QatarGas Head of Security told Econoff
on March 8 that his largest battle is convincing people that
security is important and a necessary part of the overall
business plan. Penney presented his security assessment to
QatarGas senior management when he first arrived and despite
his negative results, the presentation was well-received with
an attitude towards fixing the problems and moving forward.
Penney claimed QatarGas will be the world's largest producer
of liquefied natural gas by 2010 and as such his work to
protect the investment is one of the most critical aspects of
QatarGas operations. Penney is working to raise awareness of
the importance of security throughout the company and wants
QatarGas' mission statement changed to include security as a
company value.
3. (C) Penney also must contend with the vulnerabilities
business expansion presents. There are two major areas within
the QatarGas area that are under development. These areas
will have 30,000 workers during the construction phase posing
a serious threat to the current security environment. There
is nothing that Penney can do about the construction workers
because those contracts were set before he arrived and he
cannot greatly enforce new security standards on the
contractors. However, he is able to suggest better security
practices and integrate the contractors into the larger
QatarGas security scene.
--------------
IMPROVING ONE STEP AT A TIME
--------------
4. (C) Penney plans to have a new security plan in place in
18 months. He has spent a large portion of his time
assessing what vulnerabilities existed for QatarGas and then
developing a plan to fix them. He told Econoff he felt
"paralyzed" because there was so much work to be done, and he
did not know where to start first. Penney hired new security
managers who are responsible for IT security, training of the
guard force, and Ras Laffan, Doha, port, and offshore
operations. This allows for better coverage of QatarGas'
information security, personnel, and actual LNG production.
5. (C) All of the new security plans and procedures are being
developed with an eye towards conforming to ISO 28000, a 2005
standard set by the International Organization of Standards
that manages the security of the supply chain. Penney
developed a new security plan to include hard barriers,
technological security measures, and a training program for
security guards and general employees. He eventually would
like have a QatarGas internal quick reaction force that is
authorized to use lethal force if necessary and is currently
working with QatarGas lawyers to determine the legality of
armed guards under Qatari law.
6. (C) After the Abqaiq attack in Saudi Arabia, Ras Laffan
was elevated to a level 3 security posture meaning the
country is facing an imminent threat and Qatari military
forces were brought in to protect Ras Laffan City (RLC). The
security level was recently raised again after the al Qaida
threats against all energy areas, but this time no government
forces were sent to support RLC security. Penney estimates
QatarGas would be ready to face an imminent threat in the
next two years. Currently he feels unable to counter such a
threat and does not think that many others in Qatar are ready
either.
--------------
TRAINING MANDATED FOR ALL
DOHA 00000321 002 OF 003
--------------
7. (C) Penney aims to increase security training and
awareness for all QatarGas employees, not just the guard
force. He is starting a safety program for the corporate
staff to raise awareness that will be inaugurated in
September when QatarGas opens its new administrative offices
in Doha. The program will be one week and include basic
physical security precautions as well as how to protect
QatarGas's proprietary information. QatarGas has challenges
protecting its business contract information, and Penney
would like to start a system of classifying information and
using secure transfer means so QatarGas can keep its
information in-house.
8. (C) For the guard force, Penney is instituting a 6-7 month
basic training for the entire group with more specialized
training for shift leaders, armed guards, and those working
offshore. The current guards will remain to be trained in
accordance to Penney's new guidelines, and the rest will be
hired pre-trained for weapons use. Penney claimed he is not
under any pressure to hire Qataris. From Econoff
observations, the current guard force is mostly workers with
the local G4 Security company who were not armed and are
charged with controlling access to the QatarGas area of RLC.
--------------
VARIED WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
--------------
9. (C) Penney opined that the main problem with Qatar's
overall security infrastructure is that there are no checks
and balances between all the interested parties. He stated
that Qatar Petroleum (QP) is the "mother ship" and ultimately
has the final say in all of the security measures taken by
the joint venture companies, but it does not set firm
guidelines on security. Penney claimed that when the Giuliani
group was in Qatar doing a security assessment for QP, QP ran
interference with the affiliated companies to try to minimize
a negative assessment. Penney said that the Giuliani
assessment still did a good job detailing the problems and
vulnerabilities in Qatar.
10. (C) Penney told Econoff that he has a good working
relationship with the international partners, but they are
not the parties that are most involved in on the ground
security. Penney also works well with the other end users in
RLC and claims they all have a common goal of improving their
security measures. This is important because should an attack
occur, the other end-users could be first responders because
of their proximity, and it would take longer for RLC or the
Qatari military to arrive. Working with RLC is more tenuous
because the industrial city is not good at sharing
information with the end users. Penney said that with the new
security structure recommended by the Giuliani group, the new
Director of Security would have jurisdiction over the
industrial cities, but some mid-level QP officials are
impeding the change because they do not want to give up their
own spheres of influence. Penney stated that the new Director
of Security job will have to be able to "run the show" in
order to get all of the interested parties to cooperate and
work effectively.
--------------
CONCERNS OF OFFSHORE AND IRAN
--------------
11. (C) Penney stated that offshore operations give him the
greatest worry because they are harder to protect. He is also
worried about the Iranian situation and the potential for a
disruption of traffic through the Straits of Hormuz that
would prevent a QatarGas tanker from going through. He is not
as concerned about a direct Iranian strike on a QatarGas
asset because of the U.S. military presence in Qatar--
although he claimed he is not dependent on the U.S. military
for direct support. Despite his concerns about offshore
attacks and Iran, Penney said that protection of onshore
assets is the most critical. He also feels that it is only a
matter of time until another terrorist attack occurs in the
region, even estimating a 18-24 month timeframe for an event
in either Qatar or the United Arab Emirates because those
countries thus far have remained the least affected in the
region.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
12. (C) Penney was excited to speak with Econoff and would
probably welcome further USG interaction. Of our
interlocutors, QatarGas thus far appears the most proactive
DOHA 00000321 003 OF 003
on strengthening its security infrastructure. Penney was the
only contact who continually linked security with the
financial future of QatarGas and Qatar, indicating a greater
strategic understanding than most. While cooperation between
all the RLC end users was highlighted, there also could be an
air of competition between the various companies as Penney
asked Econoff to keep ISO 28000 and his other plans shown
close hold. As each end user continues to build up their
infrastructure, this lack of communication may become a
disadvantage for the end users should a common infrastructure
or plan become necessary in the future.
UNTERMEYER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: ECON EPET ASEC EWWT QA
SUBJECT: QATAR GAS SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD ON SECURITY
Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D.
1. (C) Summary. QatarGas is in the midst of improving its
security procedures with new equipment, better training, and
more security personnel, the goal is to be ISO 28000
compliant in the next two years. While undergoing physical
improvements, the QatarGas head of security is also trying to
raise security awareness amongst all Qatar Gas employees.
QatarGas has a tepid working relationship with Qatar
Petroleum, which can influence but does not mandate QatarGas
security procedures. Cooperation with the other end users in
Ras Laffan is good, but they complain that working with Ras
Laffan City security is problematic due to lacking
communication. Offshore sites remain the largest
vulnerability for QatarGas, although officials assess an
onshore attack is more likely. The Iranian threat is another
concern but the U.S. military presence in Qatar is
reassuring. End Summary.
--------------
MAKING THE BUSINESS CASE
--------------
2. (C) Gordon Penney, QatarGas Head of Security told Econoff
on March 8 that his largest battle is convincing people that
security is important and a necessary part of the overall
business plan. Penney presented his security assessment to
QatarGas senior management when he first arrived and despite
his negative results, the presentation was well-received with
an attitude towards fixing the problems and moving forward.
Penney claimed QatarGas will be the world's largest producer
of liquefied natural gas by 2010 and as such his work to
protect the investment is one of the most critical aspects of
QatarGas operations. Penney is working to raise awareness of
the importance of security throughout the company and wants
QatarGas' mission statement changed to include security as a
company value.
3. (C) Penney also must contend with the vulnerabilities
business expansion presents. There are two major areas within
the QatarGas area that are under development. These areas
will have 30,000 workers during the construction phase posing
a serious threat to the current security environment. There
is nothing that Penney can do about the construction workers
because those contracts were set before he arrived and he
cannot greatly enforce new security standards on the
contractors. However, he is able to suggest better security
practices and integrate the contractors into the larger
QatarGas security scene.
--------------
IMPROVING ONE STEP AT A TIME
--------------
4. (C) Penney plans to have a new security plan in place in
18 months. He has spent a large portion of his time
assessing what vulnerabilities existed for QatarGas and then
developing a plan to fix them. He told Econoff he felt
"paralyzed" because there was so much work to be done, and he
did not know where to start first. Penney hired new security
managers who are responsible for IT security, training of the
guard force, and Ras Laffan, Doha, port, and offshore
operations. This allows for better coverage of QatarGas'
information security, personnel, and actual LNG production.
5. (C) All of the new security plans and procedures are being
developed with an eye towards conforming to ISO 28000, a 2005
standard set by the International Organization of Standards
that manages the security of the supply chain. Penney
developed a new security plan to include hard barriers,
technological security measures, and a training program for
security guards and general employees. He eventually would
like have a QatarGas internal quick reaction force that is
authorized to use lethal force if necessary and is currently
working with QatarGas lawyers to determine the legality of
armed guards under Qatari law.
6. (C) After the Abqaiq attack in Saudi Arabia, Ras Laffan
was elevated to a level 3 security posture meaning the
country is facing an imminent threat and Qatari military
forces were brought in to protect Ras Laffan City (RLC). The
security level was recently raised again after the al Qaida
threats against all energy areas, but this time no government
forces were sent to support RLC security. Penney estimates
QatarGas would be ready to face an imminent threat in the
next two years. Currently he feels unable to counter such a
threat and does not think that many others in Qatar are ready
either.
--------------
TRAINING MANDATED FOR ALL
DOHA 00000321 002 OF 003
--------------
7. (C) Penney aims to increase security training and
awareness for all QatarGas employees, not just the guard
force. He is starting a safety program for the corporate
staff to raise awareness that will be inaugurated in
September when QatarGas opens its new administrative offices
in Doha. The program will be one week and include basic
physical security precautions as well as how to protect
QatarGas's proprietary information. QatarGas has challenges
protecting its business contract information, and Penney
would like to start a system of classifying information and
using secure transfer means so QatarGas can keep its
information in-house.
8. (C) For the guard force, Penney is instituting a 6-7 month
basic training for the entire group with more specialized
training for shift leaders, armed guards, and those working
offshore. The current guards will remain to be trained in
accordance to Penney's new guidelines, and the rest will be
hired pre-trained for weapons use. Penney claimed he is not
under any pressure to hire Qataris. From Econoff
observations, the current guard force is mostly workers with
the local G4 Security company who were not armed and are
charged with controlling access to the QatarGas area of RLC.
--------------
VARIED WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
--------------
9. (C) Penney opined that the main problem with Qatar's
overall security infrastructure is that there are no checks
and balances between all the interested parties. He stated
that Qatar Petroleum (QP) is the "mother ship" and ultimately
has the final say in all of the security measures taken by
the joint venture companies, but it does not set firm
guidelines on security. Penney claimed that when the Giuliani
group was in Qatar doing a security assessment for QP, QP ran
interference with the affiliated companies to try to minimize
a negative assessment. Penney said that the Giuliani
assessment still did a good job detailing the problems and
vulnerabilities in Qatar.
10. (C) Penney told Econoff that he has a good working
relationship with the international partners, but they are
not the parties that are most involved in on the ground
security. Penney also works well with the other end users in
RLC and claims they all have a common goal of improving their
security measures. This is important because should an attack
occur, the other end-users could be first responders because
of their proximity, and it would take longer for RLC or the
Qatari military to arrive. Working with RLC is more tenuous
because the industrial city is not good at sharing
information with the end users. Penney said that with the new
security structure recommended by the Giuliani group, the new
Director of Security would have jurisdiction over the
industrial cities, but some mid-level QP officials are
impeding the change because they do not want to give up their
own spheres of influence. Penney stated that the new Director
of Security job will have to be able to "run the show" in
order to get all of the interested parties to cooperate and
work effectively.
--------------
CONCERNS OF OFFSHORE AND IRAN
--------------
11. (C) Penney stated that offshore operations give him the
greatest worry because they are harder to protect. He is also
worried about the Iranian situation and the potential for a
disruption of traffic through the Straits of Hormuz that
would prevent a QatarGas tanker from going through. He is not
as concerned about a direct Iranian strike on a QatarGas
asset because of the U.S. military presence in Qatar--
although he claimed he is not dependent on the U.S. military
for direct support. Despite his concerns about offshore
attacks and Iran, Penney said that protection of onshore
assets is the most critical. He also feels that it is only a
matter of time until another terrorist attack occurs in the
region, even estimating a 18-24 month timeframe for an event
in either Qatar or the United Arab Emirates because those
countries thus far have remained the least affected in the
region.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
12. (C) Penney was excited to speak with Econoff and would
probably welcome further USG interaction. Of our
interlocutors, QatarGas thus far appears the most proactive
DOHA 00000321 003 OF 003
on strengthening its security infrastructure. Penney was the
only contact who continually linked security with the
financial future of QatarGas and Qatar, indicating a greater
strategic understanding than most. While cooperation between
all the RLC end users was highlighted, there also could be an
air of competition between the various companies as Penney
asked Econoff to keep ISO 28000 and his other plans shown
close hold. As each end user continues to build up their
infrastructure, this lack of communication may become a
disadvantage for the end users should a common infrastructure
or plan become necessary in the future.
UNTERMEYER