The oil and gas industry is a vital component of the global economy, with oil and natural gas accounting for almost 55% of global energy consumption. Keeping oil and gas facilities safe and secure is top priority for many organizations, but such sites face complex safety threats.
Alongside vulnerabilities linked to targeted physical and cyber-attacks, the requirement for oil and gas operations to be run from remote locations can introduce environmental safety risks.
Critical infrastructure, valuable assets, sensitive information and vulnerable workers must all be safeguarded against common threats, but in unforgiving conditions, traditional security tools can fail. Here’s how modern leaders secure oil and gas facilities in harsh environments.
Ruggedized Video Surveillance Systems
Clear and consistent visibility into oil and gas operations is critical to help ensure important infrastructure, equipment and personnel are protected from occupational and environmental hazards. This typically requires the use of sophisticated, remote-accessible CCTV solutions.
While modern business security camera features like automated threat detection and remote viewing capabilities are beneficial to oil and gas operations, standard device hardware is not suitably equipped to withstand the extreme conditions associated with work in exposed sites.
Pipeline, refinery and oil rig cameras must be able to withstand strong winds, persistent rain, heavy impacts, extreme temperatures and explosions, as well as leverage features designed to minimize requirements for human operators to perform maintenance in hazardous areas.
Key features of ruggedized oil and gas security cameras include:
- Rugged Hardware: Camera casings carry high impact (IK10) and weather (IP68) resistance ratings to protect internal components against impacts and water ingress.
- Thermal Imaging: Feeds can be remotely switched between standard and thermal imaging to provide operators with clear visibility into operations in all light conditions.
- Automated Lens Wipers: Hardwearing automatic and remote-controlled lens wipers are affixed to the face of oil and gas cameras to minimize maintenance requirements.
- Security Analytics: AI video analytics software empowers cameras to automatically identify and warn operators of threats like equipment misuse and suspicious activity.
- Camera Health Analytics: Software routinely analyzes camera performance to offer insight into technical status and ensure maintenance is only executed when required.
Intelligent Access Control Solutions
Access to critical and potentially dangerous infrastructure must be severely restricted in oil and gas facilities. Operators should be able to observe access events, adjust permissions and engage relevant security responses from a remote position promptly at all times of day.
To help ensure the safety of workers and the security of important assets in harsh conditions, a combination of physical barriers and smart access systems is necessary, with all hardware components carrying maximal impact, heat, weather, corrosion and blast resistance ratings.
Advanced access credentials are also required, both to improve security and help workers to interface with access systems safely while wearing personal protective equipment. Biometric iris, facial recognition and behavioral credentials help teams to balance safety and efficiency.
Sophisticated Perimeter Security Features
The entire perimeter of oil and gas facilities must be protected from external threats. Teams will typically utilize physical barriers, access control systems, cameras, sensors and alarms deployed as part of an integrated physical security system to reliably deter intrusion events.
Hardwearing barriers and electric fencing may be erected to help ensure access events are handled in easily-observable areas. Smart sound, motion and pressure sensors may also be installed along the perimeter of the site to provide real-time insights into suspicious activities.
By integrating critical security technologies, operators can program automated responses to common threats. For example, if a camera detects an unknown vehicle approaching the site, footage can be flagged, security teams can be notified and access systems can be secured.
Integrations can also help to address internal safety and security issues, enabling operators to engage instant responses to site-specific threats. In practice, if cameras detect a machine fault, fire or oil spill, real-time responses can be triggered and staff can be informed remotely.
Maintaining Safe Facilities in the Oil and Gas Industry
Maintaining safe work conditions in the oil and gas industry relies on continuous observation and swift, well-informed responses. Hardwearing, intelligent security devices provide security teams consistent visibility into site-specific risks and the ability to respond to issues promptly.
As security technologies become more advanced, operators are increasingly benefiting from AI-powered systems and analytics-informed workflows. By combining rugged hardware and smart, automated technologies, teams can maintain safe facilities in the oil and gas industry.