Introduction

The LNG industry has received much media attention as a possible target for terrorism. A report presented to the U.S. Congress states, "Because LNG infrastructure is highly visible and easily identified, it can be vulnerable to terrorist attack."

As a consequence, concerns have arisen over threats to public safety. Several studies are underway, but with new terminals nearing construction, designers, owners and operators need answers now as to what levels of security to institute.

Multiple federal agencies - the Office of Pipeline Safety, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Coast Guard - oversee the security of LNG infrastructure. Few, if any, standards have been written for facility security-system design, so measures from facility to facility are inconsistent. Debate continues as to whether LNG facilities present likely or credible terrorist targets.

To focus attention on the expediency of this need and help define the parameters of the challenge, Zeus Development Corporation will host a conference at the Hilton Houston Westchase Hotel, Dec. 13-15. The conference is entitled, "LNG: Hardening the Perimeters."

Conference Objectives

The objective of this conference is to update the industry on the latest findings concerning security, bringing together the leading minds on LNG as well as protection systems for petroleum and petrochemical related facilities and law enforcement. Public concern and perception will be key points of the discussion.

This conference accepts that, whether LNG facilities present credible terrorist targets or not, facility engineers must move forward to assure the general public that their facilities are secure. The level of that security will be an area of discussion.

Approach

The conference will open by first assessing the types of threats against LNG facilities being evaluated. For the most part, the conference will focus on securing facilities, ships or computer systems from a coordinated assault. Guidelines provided by regulators and measures taken by other hazardous-material industries will be reviewed. With each measure, speakers will be asked to evaluate the cost of security measures relative to their merit.

The conference will then review the guidelines provided by regulators and consider measures taken by such related industries as petroleum and petrochemicals. New technologies and practical solutions that may improve security without driving up costs will be examined. By the end of the conference, the delegate should have a strong understanding of the issues, priorities of regulators, timing of forthcoming regulations or standards relative to industry needs, and approaches by other industries, as well as new technical innovations.

Targeted Audience

LNG facility designers
Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors
Facility owners, operators
Safety, security, health, and environmental, (SSHE) managers
Regulators
LNG standards bodies
Security system vendors

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