KUWAIT ENERGY: INPUT FOR REQUIRED REPORT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000257 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/ESC/IEC, NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2018 TAGS: ENRG SENV APER ABUD KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT ENERGY: INPUT FOR REQUIRED REPORT TO CONGRESS REF: SECSTATE 10743 Classified By: CDA Alan G. Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel, Post provides the following information: -- A. The Economic Section consists of 7 personnel, of whom 5 work directly on energy matters. -- B. Percentage of time devoted to energy issues by position: ¶1. Economic Counselor 15 percent ¶2. Economic Officer (Energy) 60 percent ¶3. Economic Officer (ESTH) 10 percent ¶4. Economic OMS 10 percent ¶5. Economic LES (Energy) 30 percent -- C. Narrative description: ¶1. The Economic Counselor meets with Oil Ministry officials, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation management, country managers of international energy companies, and officials and NGOs associated with environmental policy. He participates in the Ambassador's semi-annual Energy Forum dinners (which bring together country managers from American energy companies),conveys U.S. energy policy, advocates for greater opportunities for American energy companies, follows trends in Kuwait's energy sector, supports efforts to improve the physical security of Kuwait's critical energy infrastructure, and clears the Econ section's reporting on energy and environmental issues. ¶2. The Economic Officer with the Energy Portfolio meets with Oil Ministry officials, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation management, country managers of international energy companies, and officials and NGOs associated with environmental policy. He organizes and participates in the Ambassador's semi-annual Energy Forum dinners (which bring together country managers from American energy companies); coordinates and supports energy-related visits by USG officials from the Departments of State, Energy, Defense, and Homeland Security; briefs the Ambassador and USG visitors on energy issues; advocates for greater opportunities for American energy companies; conveys U.S. energy policy; reports on the events and trends of Kuwait's energy sector; supports efforts to improve the physical security of Kuwait's critical energy infrastructure; prepares Post's bi-annual Oil Survey Report; and makes site visits to Kuwait's energy installations. ¶3. The Economic Officer with the Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) Portfolio meets with officials from Kuwait's Environment Public Authority and leaders of environmental NGOs. (Note: Although there is little interest in renewable energy in Kuwait, there is significant activity involving the cleanup of oil lakes dating to the Iraqi occupation and significant interest in reducing emissions and marine pollution related to the oil sector. End Note.) ¶4. The Economic OMS prepares official correspondence and diplomatic notes, arranges meetings, and supports visits related to energy issues. ¶5. The Economic LES with the Energy Portfolio arranges and attends meetings with Oil Ministry officials, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation management, country managers of international energy companies, and officials and NGOs associated with environmental policy. He contributes to Econ section reporting and supports energy-related visits by USG officials from the Departments of State, Energy, Defense, and Homeland Security. -- D. Budget for programs: Two Energy Forum dinners for American energy companies: USD 512 Budget for personnel: Total salary costs prorated to reflect time devoted to energy issues: USD 73,998 ¶2. (C/NF) Post also supports the DOE-led inter-agency Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection (CEIP) program which aims to improve the physical security of Kuwait's oil export infrastructure against the threat of a terrorist attack. Post coordinated and supported three separate site vulnerability assessments by teams of USG experts as a part of this program, but these activities were funded by Washington. ********************************************* * 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/ ********************************************* * Misenheimer