Canada Steps Up Pipeline Security

America is at war, and with temperatures plunging below freezing, winter has arrived in the northern latitudes of the North American continent.

As Americans enter the winter heating season, they must rely upon the security of foreign imports of oil and natural gas to heat their homes, offices and factories -- and Canada, with its highly integrated, transcontinental system of pipelines, is a key energy supplier to the United States.

But is Canada's oil and gas infrastructure immune to terrorist threats?

Twenty-four Canadians were among those who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11. In response, Canada joined the allied efforts. At press time, one-third of the Canadian Navy was en route to join the war.

And as a military ally of the United States, Canada's population -- and its critical infrastructure -- could be vulnerable to terrorist attack.

"To date, there have not been any terrorist threats to Canada's pipelines," said Bob Hill, president of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA). "Accordingly, we believe that security levels taken, to date, are adequate, given the risk."

Canadians, however, remain on guard.

"Pipelines are really hard to protect," said David Ray, managing director-western Canada, for Kroll, a risk management firm, and former head of security for Shell Canada. "The risk is getting up there ... I could see a situation where terrorists might shut down hydro and gas supplies to the United States in a multi-phased attack at a pinch point."

A pinch point, he explained, is an area that includes several terminals in close proximity.

"The perception is that the Americans would freeze in the dark," Ray added, "but it would only be for a matter of a few days." Because of their modular design, pipelines are usually easy to repair.