VZCZCXRO5092
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #4562/01 3380833
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 040833Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7767
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004562 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR HINNEN; DOE FOR IE; STATE FOR S/CT, PM/PPA, 
NEA/ARP, EB/ESC 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2016 
TAGS: ENRG PTER EPET KU OIL SECTOR
SUBJECT: CRITICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE:  NEXT STEPS ON USG 
- KUWAITI COOPERATION 
 
REF: A. KUWAIT 4506 
     ¶B. KUWAIT 4507 
     ¶C. KUWAIT 4425 
     ¶D. KUWAIT 3071 
     ¶E. 05 KUWAIT 4400 
 
Classified By: DCM Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
 ¶1.  (S/NF) On 29 November, Econoff met with Ali Al-Obaid, 
Deputy Chairman of Kuwait's Oil Sector Services Company 
(OSSCo) to discuss opportunities to expand USG-GOK 
cooperation to enhance the security of Kuwait's critical 
energy infrastructure.  OSSCo is a new subsidiary of Kuwait 
Petroleum Corporation (KPC) that has been tasked with 
assuming oil sector security responsibilities for all of the 
KPC subsidiary companies.  Currently, each subsidiary 
(including Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait National Petroleum 
Company, Petrochemical Industries Company, and others) 
maintains responsibility for most of its own security. 
Econoff conveyed that APHSCT Townsend had appreciated the 
energy sector security briefing and tour of security features 
at Kuwaiti refineries on 14 November (Ref A).  Econoff also 
explained that President of the National Security Bureau and 
former Energy Minister Shaykh Ahmed Al-Fahad had expressed 
interest in USG assistance on Kuwait's energy infrastructure 
security in separate meetings with Townsend (Ref B) and with 
the Ambassador (Ref C). 
 
OSSCo Gradually Consolidating Security Responsibilities 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
¶2.  (S/NF)  Al-Obaid said that OSSCo was still in the early 
stages of assuming its security mandate.  He expects the 
entire process to take between 18 months and two years.  In 
the mean time, OSSCo is acting in a limited capacity as 
coordinator of security functions and activities across the 
various KPC subsidiaries through the KPC Higher Security 
Committee which is chaired by OSSCo Chairman Shaykh Talal 
Al-Khalid Al-Sabah.  Al-Obaid suggested that Post communicate 
directly with Shaykh Ahmed of the NSB to determine what 
should be the next steps in bi-lateral cooperation on energy 
infrastructure security.  Al-Obaid did emphasize, however, 
that he thinks the Kuwaitis already have all the help and 
expertise they need with regard to vulnerability assessments, 
proposals for new equipment and systems, and tactical advice 
from reputable private sector consultants and suppliers. 
Al-Obaid said that what Kuwait most needs at this point is 
advice and assistance regarding long-term strategic planning. 
 He said this was the area in which the USG could offer the 
most value.  Al-Obaid also said OSSCo would welcome 
intelligence sharing from the USG since, he said, useful 
intelligence generally stagnates at the ministerial level 
rather than filtering down to the managerial level. (Note: 
these last two statements echo remarks that Al-Obaid made to 
Econoff in August (Ref D). 
 
NSB - Best Point of Contact to Plan and Coordinate Efforts 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶3.  (S/NF)  Al-Obaid explained that energy infrastructure 
security responsibilities are still effectively divided among 
KPC, the Vital Installations Security Group at the Ministry 
of Interior, and the Security Decision Follow-up Committee, 
an inter-ministerial group made up of senior and retired 
officers from the NSB, Army, National Guard, and Police which 
expedites the implementation of security upgrades and reports 
directly to the Cabinet.  Al-Obaid indicated that Shaykh 
Ahmed of the NSB would be the single point of contact best 
able to direct and coordinate the efforts of each of these 
different groups. 
 
Several Security Enhancements in the Works 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (S/NF)  According to Al-Obaid, OSSCo meets frequently 
with security consultants offering recommendations and 
security equipment contractors hawking their wares.  OSSCo's 
lead consultant is Global Village, a British company. 
Al-Obaid outlined a list of OSSCo's near-to-medium term plans 
which include: canine units at each of the gates to the 
refineries, an additional layer of hydraulic vehicle barriers 
for inbound and outbound traffic, new concrete watchtowers 
around the perimeters of the refineries, development of a KPC 
patrol boat force (in addition to the Coast Guard) to protect 
seaward approaches to energy infrastructure, installation of 
a comprehensive sonar system and underwater barriers to 
 
KUWAIT 00004562  002 OF 002 
 
 
prevent attacks by divers, and the purchase of 
remote-controlled jet skis capable of launching sound 
grenades and nets.  Al-Obaid clarified that OSSCo has not yet 
signed contracts for any of these projects.  OSSCo has, 
however, already graduated 473 security guards from a new 
9-month training program and expects to graduate an 
additional 225 in three months.  (For additional detail on 
the condition and organization of Kuwait's critical energy 
infrastructure, see Refs D and E.) 
 
TDY DOE Expert in Riyadh 
------------------------ 
 
 ¶5.  (S/NF)  During a November 20 secure video conference 
organized by S/CT, participants discussed infrastructure 
security planning work being done with Saudi Arabia, 
including an initiative to bring a Department of Energy 
representative with relevant expertise to the region for a 
long-term TDY assignment based in Riyadh.  It would make 
sense to consider whether Kuwait, with its very similar 
infrastructure issues, could be included in the scope of this 
mission. 
********************************************* * 
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/ 
********************************************* * 
LEBARON