Unpacking intrusion protection for O&G operators in region

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

- By ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

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 tril- lion by 2030.

Countries like the UAE and Oman are ex-panding their gas processing and export ca-pabilities 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

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.