WAR ON IRAQ: Thailand..New security for energy plants --Precautions taken to prevent sabotage

www.bangkokpost.com Yuthana Praiwan

Security measures have been beefed up at all petroleum-related installations across the country in the wake of US troops invading Iraq.

Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej met yesterday with senior executives of all oil companies and power plant operators to discuss precautionary measures to prevent sabotage attempts on oil depots, refineries, power plants, oil transport system, oil and gas pipelines and onshore and offshore oil drilling platforms.

Dr Prommin warned operators to thoroughly check all equipment and systems related to alarms, fire extinguishers and safety.

As well, the oil companies were asked to put in place contingency plans to secure enough oil supplies in case the war did not end quickly.

The terrorism concerns arose after Thailand expelled three Iraqi diplomats and a report from a western news agency that the country was a silent supporter of the US military action.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Wednesday said Thailand would not commit any troops or other forms of support to the campaign in Iraq.

``All oil refineries have fully met the 5% oil reserve as required while those previously shut down for annual maintenance have already started their operations. So, disruption of oil supplies is no worry,'' said Dr Prommin.

Shell and Caltex have increased security at their refineries, oil depots and offices to as high as that seen after the Sept 11, 2001 events.

Tiraphot Vajarabhaya, chairman of Shell Company in Thailand, said Shell had sought co-operation from the police to provide security to its facilities and was making regular contacts with foreign embassies to help provide information about possible terrorism and sabotage attempts.

On the oil supply side, Mr Tiraphot said he was confident that oil procurement would continue as usual if no untoward events took place.

``Our parent company abroad has promises to supply sufficient oil to Thailand,'' he said.

If the war was not swift, Mr Tiraphot said he was uncertain whether oil prices would rise, since global supplies remained high.

Opec has also reaffirmed its intention to produce more oil to make up for the loss of Iraqi oil.

Mr Tiraphot also downplayed concerns that the reported burning of oil wells in Iraq would trigger a price jump. ``We should take the supply and demand into account before jumping to such a conclusion,'' he said.

He believed global oil supplies would not be disrupted despite the absence of 2.4 million barrels per day of output from Iraq, as Opec still produced 30 million barrels per day.

In addition, Venezuela has resumed its oil production of two million barrels per day after a protracted civil dispute.

A Unocal Thailand source said the company had increased security measures at its six gas production and exploration platforms in the Gulf of Thailand. The company had sought co-operation from security agencies and the Royal Thai Navy.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) had also raised the security level of its power plants to 200+2 from 200+1.The maximum level is 200+3.