NCJ Number
63135
Journal
Security World Volume: 16 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1979) Pages: 16-19
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
CURRENT INCREASES IN OIL EXPLORATION, DRILLINGS, AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES HAVE RESULTED IN INCREASED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THE OIL FIELD, INCLUDING LOCAL THEFTS AND SALES AND STOLEN EQUIPMENT.
Abstract
RECENT THEFTS HAVE INCLUDED SEVERAL HUNDRED GALLONS OF ASPHALT SEALER AND THE DRILLING OF CROOKED WELLS, BOTTOMED ON THE PRODUCTIVE LEASES OF OTHERS. ABOUT 450 WELLS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WERE INVOLVED. OTHER CRUDE OIL THEFTS ARE FROM PIPELINE RUNS IN AREAS WHERE LEASE AUTOMATIC CUSTODY TRANSFER (LACT) UNITS ARE NOT USED. PREVENTIVE MEASURES, DELINEATED BY A VETERAN OIL COMPANY SECURITY REPRESENTATIVE, INCLUDE COVERT WITNESSING OF THE ACTUAL THEFT, ASSISTANCE FROM STATE OFFICERS AND STATE REGULATORY AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES, USE OF TRACER CHEMICALS, WHEN POSSIBLE, AND GATHERING LINE METERS, CONTINUOUS SURVEILLANCE OF TANK GAUGES AND PIPELINE GAUGERS, PUMPERS, AND OTHER PERSONS SUSPECTED OF THEFT, AND USE OF CAMERAS TO RECORD ACTUAL THEFTS. THE ARTICLE ALSO DISCUSSES PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR NATURAL GAS THEFTS AND PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT LOSSES, AND THE PROBLEM OF DRUG USE BY OFFSHORE PLATFORM PERSONNEL AND HOW TO PREVENT IT. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)