IQPC is running a two-day conference identifying how security and crisis management experts across the energy supply chain have pinpointed and implemented the best strategies for ameliorating critical security threats. Security Management Today is the official Media Partner for the event, previewed here by Brian Sims

In the current political climate, no energy business can afford to be complacent about defining strategies for emergency preparedness and response. Couldn't your business benefit from hearing what the most experienced and knowledgeable people in the field have to say on this issue?

If the answer to that question is a resounding ‘Yes', then make sure you attend Energy Infrastructure Security and Crisis Management. This two-day conference runs at The Café Royal in London on 25-26 April. Master Classes prior to the main conference (on 24 April) will be given by James Phipps (oil and gas section manager at ABS Consulting) and Jeff Charlton (principal consultant, Disaster Advice).

Phipps' discussion will look at how to predict the type and origin of (terrorist) attack, the identification of vulnerable and attractive spots in your facility and risk modelling. Charlton's afternoon slot then evaluates the development of an emergency response strategy.

The global environment

AEGIS managing director Dominic Armstrong is the first speaker on Day One, and will cover the topic of ‘extreme risk'. Armstrong is followed on to the podium by Peter Neumann (director of the Centre for Defence Studies at King's College, London). Dr Neumann is scheduled to assess the global profile of terrorism, and how this impacts on the energy industry.

In recent times, it has become increasingly apparent that terrorist organisations have identified energy facilities as the Achilles Heel of the world economy. Throughout the world, oil and gas installations are being attacked with increased frequency, imposing a ‘fear premium' on prices. What motivates terrorists to attack energy targets? What are their modes of operation? How can this scourge be fought? Dr Gal Luft (executive director at the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security) offers his views.

Closing the morning session, Gordon Irving - director of group security at Scottish Power - assesses the implementation of crisis management plans.

Vulnerability prediction and effective scenario planning for your facility is the subject of Gary Boudreaux's presentation immediately following lunch. The executive director of the Energy Security Council will look at benchmarking your facilities, and how to define an appropriate (and flexible) response strategy.

James Phipps returns to offer some Case Studies of ‘real life' security risk assessments carried out on major offshore oil and gas installations. Where should you start with asset criticality? Ever thought of using ‘BowTies' to implement a security management structure? Attend and learn more...

To finish the speaker programme on 25 April, Adeel Kazi (business security manager for BP in Pakistan) and Kevin Rosner (specialist advisor to NATO on energy policies) discuss - respectively - BP's security strategy in Pakistan and the impact of Russian foreign energy policy on the downstream economy.

The European dimension

On Day Two, the European approach to critical energy infrastructure protection is outlined by practitioner Joseph Smallwood (policy officer at the EC's Directorate-General for Energy and Transport).

This is swiftly followed by an operator's view on the necessary security standards, offered by seasoned professional Nigel Carpenter (BP's director of security operations for the Eastern Hemisphere and the subject of this month's Profile).

‘Adequate security strategies: the key to success' is the topic of Christian Pibitz's discourse, during which the chief security officer for OMV evaluates the right mixture of protection and deterrence elements.

The afternoon session revisits the terrorism angle, with Marc Steen (head of the Clean Energy Unit at the Institute for Energy) analysing data collated on attacks, and the results of practical field tests on various security technologies designed to circumvent them.

Thereafter, the International Energy Agency's strategy for minimising economic damage is outlined by its head of planning, Klaus Jacoby.

Visit ‘Energy Infrastructure Security and Crisis Management' and develop a complete plan that will enable your business to withstand any eventuality.

Can you afford not to be there? And can your organisation afford not to have representation on site?

After all, the energy industry has suffered from 300 terrorist attacks in the past two years alone...

‘Energy Infrastructure Security and Crisis Management’: how to book your place

Heads of corporate security and risk analysis, chief risk officers, heads of risk and security management and chief security officers who wish to attend the ‘Energy Infrastructure and Crisis Management’ Conference can register for their place in a number of ways.

In the first instance, further information is available from conference director Claire Dickinson (tel: 020 7368 9574, e-mail: claire.dickinson@iqpc.co.uk).

There is also a Freephone number to call (0800 652 2363). Alternatively, send a fax to: 020 7368 9301.
Interested parties may also register online at www.oilandgasiq.com/2656a.

Readers of SMT looking to qualify for the ‘early bird’ discount should log on at www.oilandgasiq.com/GB-2656/SMT. Postal bookings should be sent to IQPC Ltd, Anchor House, 15-19 Britten Street, London SW3 3QL.

Various packages are available, including Gold, Silver and Bronze. Price per delegate ranges from just over £1,000 to £2,000.

The venue for the conference is The Café Royal, 68 Regent Street, London W1B 5EL. Hotel accommodation is not included in the registration fee, but reduced rates are available at The Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch or Le Meridien, Piccadilly. Telephone 0870 414 1516 for further information.

The team from SMT very much looks forward to seeing you there.

Source

SMT