Piracy and terrorism could threaten UK gas supply

19 February, 2013

Tuesday, 19 February- Piracy and terrorism could pose serious threats to the UK’s energy supply, according to documents released today by Greenpeace. (1)

The Freedom of Information (FoI) documents detail discussions and meetings between the UK Government and officials from Qatar, from where the UK sourced 30% of its LNG in 2011. They suggest a genuine risk of attacks on both LNG shipments and key energy infrastructure in Qatar, including gas terminals in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.

This comes as Ofgem warns consumers will pay a high price for the UK’s increasing reliance on imported gas (3).

“Soaring gas prices, families struggling with bills, and now very serious concerns about threats to supply – what more will it take for Chancellor George Osborne to admit defeat over his dash for gas?” said Greenpeace Energy Campaigner Leila Deen.

“To increase UK reliance on gas is clearly folly, yet this is exactly what Osborne’s gas strategy proposes.”

Qatari LNG destined for the UK sails past Oman and Yemen and then through the Strait of Hormuz. Piracy incidents in the Strait have fallen in the past year, but energy experts remain concerned that terrorists in the region may target energy infrastructure. In one of the FoI documents, heavy weapons , barbed wire and citadels are proposed for protection on ships.

The impact of an attack on an LNG tanker isn't known, but some experts suggest a successful attack on a LNG shipment could lead to a catastrophic explosion (4). According to reports from Reuters, an attack last summer - which involved the use of rocket-propelled grenades – failed.(5)

“We have a clear choice when it comes to the future of UK energy,” said Leila Deen. “We either move towards a safe, carbon free electricity system that will bring jobs and green growth to the UK, or we up our dependence on volatile, polluting, expensive gas.”

The Chancellor’s own father-in-law was caught on film last year admitting that the UK’s increased dependence on Qatar for gas could leave us “up shit creek”. (6)

UK military leaders have also questioned it in the past, warning that almost half the UK’s gas imports would be halted if, as it has threatened, Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, has argued that if the strait were blockaded, the sharp fall in the UK’s gas supplies would be the country’s single most critical issue. (7)

ENDS

For more information please contact Kathy Cumming on 07801212959