Industry Knowledge & a Top-Flight Staff Key to Success at Louisiana Petrochemical Terminal

As the world looks for alternative energy solutions, natural gas is an increasingly attractive option. Natural gas is cost-efficient, widely available and the cleanest burning fossil fuel, making it a better environmental choice than coal or oil. When produced domestically, natural gas is delivered via pipeline, but when liquefied, the fuel can be economically imported from countries as diverse as Algeria, Australia and Qatar.

When natural gas is cooled to temperatures below minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit, it condenses into a clear, odorless, non-toxic and non-combustible liquid (LNG) which takes up a mere fraction of its gas form.  Double-hulled cargo ships, specifically designed to handle these frigid temperatures, transport the fuel to terminals where it can be stored until needed and then converted back into a gas and pumped to customers via a network of existing pipelines.

One of the newest terminals is Cameron LNG, a state-of-the-art facility located 18 miles from the Gulf of Mexico in Hackberry, Louisiana.  The terminal is part of Sempra Energy’s natural gas network and provides a competitive energy supply for the region.

Securitas USA has provided round-the-clock coverage of the terminal since November 2008, says Cameron’s Marine and Security Supervisor Nelson Robles.   “This is not a typical security contract but a joint effort.  Securitas and Cameron built this program from the ground up: fence lines, computers and cameras.  It was a tall task, but Securitas rose to it and it works great.”

A cadre of 14 Securitas USA officers handle access control – which also includes keeping track of on-site personnel to provide a count if needed – and inspect both incoming and outbound vehicles.  “Their main duties are access control, but they always have the duty of observation and reporting,” notes Robles. 

In addition, Securitas USA officers at Cameron must follow the stringent federal safety and security regulations of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002, which involves a number of different agencies including the Department of Transportation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard.  “The Coast Guard reviews and approves the security plan which outlines every single detail at LNG,” Robles explains.  Securitas officers are responsible for implementing about three quarters of that plan. 

The officers also help ensure that all personnel on-site have a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card.  TWIC is a security clearance for individuals who have access to national maritime terminals and helps ensures that those working in these sensitive maritime areas have a reason to be there and a history free of specific criminal or terrorist activities.  Depending on their TWIC status, individuals are granted either unrestricted access or are required to be escorted at all times at the terminal.  Securitas officers themselves must have a current and valid TWIC card.

While Sempra LNG does have a national contract with Securitas, Cameron LNG looked at a number of different national and international security firms.  “Where Securitas rose above the rest is their ability and footprint in the petrochemical industry; they were the only security company with a local office,” Robles says.  “One of the most appealing things was that they have other MTFA facilities as clients – you aren’t hiring a company that has no idea about maritime.”

Another critical factor was Securitas’ ability to staff the facility with the right officers.  “They know what the security force needs to have and they provided us with the quality candidates we were looking for.”  He adds, “You can have all the physical security measures in the world but if you don’t have quality people running them, they are useless.” 

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