By layering security solutions as part of a holistic approach, companies can safeguard their facilities in a reliable and cost-effective manner, while leaving the door open to future growth and expansion, Andrea Monteleone tells OGN

For the Middle East, protecting oil and gas infrastructure and operations is an economic necessity. As world demand for energy continues to rise, the market in the region is expected to be worth over $1.4 trillion by 2030.

Countries like the UAE and Oman are expanding their gas processing and export capabilities amid growing investment in cross-border pipeline projects, while GDP growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to accelerate in 2025 with the help of higher oil production in the Gulf.

Operators in the region have to deal with many security considerations and one of the biggest is physical security, specifically perimeter protection and intruder-related events.

"For many, the best approach is a multi-layered one, connecting different surveillance solutions to enable beyond solely detecting intruders. In other words, operators need to look beyond the initial real-time alerts associated with detection and implement a broader strategy around preventing intruder-related damage or theft," Andrea Monteleone, Segment Development Manager, Critical Infrastructure at Axis Communications, tells OGN energy magazine.

START THINKING ON THE EDGE

Thermal cameras and radar can provide multi-layered security for oil and gas infrastructure

A camera is no longer just a ‘recording device’. Today, sophisticated network cameras have powerful processing capabilities that let them act as sensors, gathering metadata and acting as servers on the edge to communicate, control, and trigger other devices on the network via open communications protocols.

This also enables oil and gas operators to scale their security systems and integrate open surveillance solutions into their infrastructure.

Thinking of cameras as edge devices acting as powerful, real-time sensors is the first step towards building better, more optimised surveillance systems, and is the starting point for a multi-layered approach for effective intrusion protection that helps secure people, assets, and facilities in what are highly critical industries.

WORK FROM THE OUTSIDE IN

Intrusion protection starts at the outer perimeter where a potential intruder is detected and verified along the fence line or ‘buffer zone’.

Radar devices pointing outwards from the fence line spot a potential threat and send operators an alert long before the intruder reaches the actual perimeter.

Reinforcing this, thermal cameras with intelligent analytics can identify and classify whether a moving object is a potential intruder and not some other object, like an animal. Thermal cameras also offer detection accuracy and reliability irrespective of weather conditions.

Once an intruder is detected, operations can either raise the alarm immediately or configure their system to raise it should the intruder enter a previously classified zone.

The latter option reduces the risk of false alarms while enabling the system to detect the intruder early and only activate further escalation procedures if necessary.

The next step is verification where visual cameras with tracking analytics respond to the alarm being triggered and verify it by showing a visual image of the intruder, monitoring them wherever they go.

Operators can then deploy deterrents such as audio speakers or LED reflectors that can light up an area and warn the intruder to cease moving, direct security personnel to their location, and discourage potential theft or property damage.

Not every security system is the same, as each site has its own physical and operational circumstances, but the connected implementation of these security solutions enables operators to enforce a standard procedure and adhere to protocols for maximum impact and efficiency.

PROTECT THE CORE OF YOUR OPERATIONS

The third layer of intrusion protection is access control, as in controlling access to site buildings and other facilities.

Devices such as door stations and intercoms play a key role in this layer, ensuring that only authorised personnel and visitors can access entrances, exits, and specific buildings or rooms.

Vehicle access control also forms a part of this. Using cameras equipped with licence plate recognition and analytics, operators can admit or stop vehicles before they enter or leave the site, while also communicating with the users and security personnel via intercom systems. This is also essential for sites that are automated and not staffed by many people.

Looking more broadly, intrusion protection systems should not have a single point of failure. Building an edge-based, decentralised system that doesn’t depend on one device is key.

Edge-based systems can also help mitigate risks, particularly when comprised of physical devices that offer a variety of built-in cybersecurity features to counter cyberattacks and prevent unauthorised system access.

Operators can also create clusters of security devices that run independently of a central server. That way, even if one device fails, the rest are not affected.

MAXIMUM PROTECTION, MINIMAL COST

When building an edge-based, decentralised intrusion protection system, oil and gas enterprises have an opportunity to substantially reduce security costs.

By operating at the edge, enterprises can reduce their bandwidth requirements and the number of video streams that need to be sent to central servers, eliminating the need for extra servers, racks, and passive network equipment.

Deploying thermal cameras also eliminates the need for more visual cameras while still covering the same amount of area, reducing installation and cabling costs and power consumption.

All this cost optimisation speaks to the depth of the approach that the industry needs to take to security.

By layering security solutions as part of a holistic, connected protection system, enterprises can safeguard their sites and facilities in a comprehensive, reliable, and cost-effective manner, while leaving the door open to future growth and expansion.

Axis intelligent surveillance solutions offer an ideal way to protect upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas activities.

By Abdulaziz Khattak