US embassy cable - 05SINGAPORE3118

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SINGAPORE 003118 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
STATE FOR S/CT, EB/ESC/IEC, INR/EC, DS/ITA 
STATE PASS OPEC 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2015 
TAGS: EPET, ETRD, EWWT, PTER, PINR, ASEC, KHLS, SN 
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE INPUT -- OIL SUPPLY VULNERABILITY 
 
REF: SECSTATE 182688 
 
Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires Judith R. Fergin for Reason 1.4(d) 
 
1. (S/NF) Post believes that the Government of Singapore 
(GOS) is taking reasonable measures to ensure the physical 
security of its oil refining complex on Jurong Island.  GOS 
officials consider terrorist threats the most likely source 
of disruption to the supply of crude oil reaching Singapore 
and of refined product destined for export markets. 
Singapore's geography makes natural disasters such as 
tsunamis, earthquakes or flooding unlikely.  The GOS has a 
 
SIPDIS 
security framework in place to protect its oil refineries, 
including scenario planning and monthly inter-agency security 
exercises. 
 
2. (S/NF) The following answers correspond to reftel 
questions: 
 
-- Have host governments completed vulnerability assessments 
of the facilities listed below? 
 
The GOS has completed a vulnerability assessment of the 
Singapore refining complex, which is comprised of 80 
petrochemicals and chemicals companies located on Jurong 
Island.  Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar recently told the 
media that security plans are always being reviewed and 
enhanced, but existing measures are "working well."  Minister 
Jayakumar said Singapore "take(s) the best of precautions, 
but must be prepared for the risk of terrorists somehow 
breaking through." 
 
-- What actions have they taken to reinforce protection and 
harden vulnerable infrastructure to prevent terrorist attacks 
or other disruption? 
 
After 9/11, then-Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan established a 
framework to provide long-term protection to Jurong Island. 
The framework includes monthly security exercises between 
Singapore's police, military, and Civil Defense Forces.  In 
addition to government-led security enhancements, private 
businesses are also working to make their facilities less 
vulnerable to attack.  A British Petroleum (BP) 
representative told Embassy RSO that it requires all of its 
facilities to operate at a medium threat security level since 
9/11, to include:  24-hour security surveillance; strict 
access control; and street-side barriers to deter vehicle 
bomb attacks. 
 
-- What would be the impact if one of these facilities 
reduced or halted its output?  (Posts are requested to 
quantify this impact in barrels per day of output.) 
 
Singapore reportedly is the world's third largest oil 
refining center (according to the GOS), and produces 91.5% 
(2004 average) of its 1.3 million barrels per day (bbl/d) 
total crude oil refining capacity from three main refineries: 
ExxonMobil (605,000 bbl/d); Shell (458,000 bbl/d); and 
Singapore Refining Corporation (273,000 bbl/d).  Singapore's 
oil storage capacity is 110.3 million barrels. 
 
-- Are there other facilities that are particularly 
vulnerable? 
 
A daily average of 10.3 million barrels of crude oil transit 
the Singapore and Malacca Straits.  Maritime piracy attacks 
raise concerns that pirate tactics could be employed by 
terrorists to hijack an oil tanker in these waters.  A sunken 
oil tanker in the Straits -- 1.5 miles wide at its most 
narrow point and 82 feet deep at its most shallow point -- 
theoretically could block a sea-lane that carries 50% of the 
world's crude oil trade.  If the Malacca and Singapore 
Straits were impassable, ships would be forced to travel an 
additional 994 miles to reach their destinations, causing 
shipping rates worldwide to rise.  Hardest hit would be the 
economies of China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, primary 
destinations for these energy shipments through the straits. 
Further, Singapore is the world's largest bunkering (ship 
refueling) port, so any interruption of that activity could 
have substantial effects on global shipping. 
FERGIN