UNCLAS TBILISI 000509

C O R R E C T E D COPY (CLASS MARKING)

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

FOR S/CT - SHARRI R. CLARK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV ASEC EFIN ENRG KCIP
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT

REF: SECSTATE 15113


1. (SBU) Based on Reftel action request, Embassy held a
meeting with relevant mission sections to discuss the
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) and any
critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) in Georgia
whose loss could impact U.S. homeland security. Noting the
inclusion on the list from 2008 of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
Pipeline (BTC), the discussion began with a review of the
continued placement of the BTC pipeline on the list. Given
that the pipeline transports approximately 1 million barrels
of oil per day, with 10 million barrels inside the pipeline
at any given time, disruption to the pipeline would have
serious ramifications on the global energy market and
resource availability to the homeland. The pipeline also
provides a ready source of energy to western markets that
does not pass through Russian hands. In addition, the South
Caucasus Pipeline, or Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum Pipeline (BTE),
carries natural gas in a 42 inch diameter pipeline along the
same corridor as the BTC. The pipeline carries up to 7
billion cubic meters of gas, and was built in the same
corridor to minimize environmental impact. Post believes
that the placement of this pipeline along the same line
further increases the importance of BTC for the global
economy, as any disruption of BTC could also very likely
impact BTE.


2. (SBU) For these reasons, post believes that the BTC
pipeline should remain on the 2009 CI/KR list for Georgia.
There were no additional items for inclusion to the list.
TEFFT