Oil and Gas Industry on Alert if OBL dies...

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Current News - Homefront Preparations : One Thread

Oil And Gas Industry On Alert If Bin Laden Dies

Industry Sources Say FBI Has Issued Warning

WASHINGTON -- The oil and gas industry is on especially high alert after a Federal Bureau of Investigation warning that Osama bin Laden may have ordered retaliatory strikes against North American natural gas facilities in event of his capture or death, industry sources said Monday.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the warning issued by the FBI last week was general and singled out no specific target, but referred specifically to natural gas infrastructure such as pipelines.

There are thousands of miles of gas pipeline, most of them buried, crossing the United States and Canada. Thirty interstate gas pipelines carry 90 percent of the natural gas transported, according to the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America.

One source characterized the warning as similar to one issued earlier this month concerning potential attacks against West Coast bridges that prompted security alerts, but no evidence of actual terrorist intentions.

The FBI alert prompted the American Petroleum Institute, which is the lead industry group coordinating with the FBI and Energy Department on security matters, to issue a warning to oil and gas companies.

"We have received uncorroborated information that Osama bin Laden may have approved plans to attack natural gas supplies in the United States," said the memo, adding that the information was "from a source of undetermined reliability."

The FBI warning continued that "such an attack would allegedly take place in the event that either bin Laden or Taliban leader Mullah Omar are either captured or killed."

Energy companies have stepped up security at refineries, pipeline pumping stations and other facilities since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and the U.S. retaliatory attacks in Afghanistan.

There are thousands of miles of natural gas and petroleum pipelines crossing North America, making protection of such lines difficult. Aerial monitoring of pipelines have increased and security has been intensified at pipeline pumping stations, according to industry officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Also, some detailed information about location of pipelines and other energy infrastructure have been taken off some corporate and government Internet sites. Access to facilities has been tightened as well, officials said.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Answers

I heard this warning on CNN today. It was just a brief news note but, caught my attention. Thanks for the post, it gave me more info. Thankful for my woodstove and wood pile out back and in the garage.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

I believe that if there were a problem, even if just localized, that the end users would have to be turned off and then turned back on one by one by the gas company. A major hassle to the unlucky folks.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Humph. I knew there was a reason that I haven't sold any of my wood.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

I was looking at my wood pile today, and thinking I didn't have enough. Some of the wood that we do have was given to us, and isn't a very good wood (it isn't hot). I have about a cord and a half. Of course there are a couple huge oak trees that have been down for who knows how long down in the back 40. I can't get the chainsaw and cut them, cause I'd cut my arm or leg off.

I've told hubby that when he gets home, he should cut up at least one of the trees. He says that I keep adding to his "to do" list. His major concern when he returns home will be taking care of me, cause I'm gonna be having foot surgery around the 19th. :O

I don't have gas anymore, so I don't have to worry there. I do have to worry about electricity, as that runs my well pump. I can heat the entire house with my fireplace insert. Already brought wood in just in case that snow/sleet arrives that they are calling for.

apoc

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


so glad to hear you are rid of that gas.

Ain't Beeno wonderful? LOL

Hope the foot surgery goes well. [Wondering if apoc kicked someone recently...and I am now dancing out of range.]

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001



apoc, not clear how you usually heat your house? Electricity for that as well? 1 1/2 cords is quite a bit if it is just for an extended emergency. Even the Arkansas ice storm of last winter didn't go much beyond two weeks, I think.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001

Brooks,

I have a geo-thermal system, which does use an electrical heat pump. However, I have heated my where I used to live (the rent house) with the fireplace insert since 98. I had gas there, but didn't have to turn it on much.

Here, I stoke the insert in the morning and when I return home in the early evening. Once more before bedtime, and I keep the house nice and toasty. I have kept the two huge ceiling fans above the fireplace going, since it doesn't do much good for all that hot air to go up to that huge open air space. I keep it circulating with the fans.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001


Moderation questions? read the FAQ