To the chagrin of just about everyone, Sony capitulated to the hacker’s demands and threats – sending absolutely the wrong message. What was Sony thinking? From a long-term view and national perspective, the action they took was in error. If you give in to the demands of terrorists, they will … Read more
Sub-$70/barrel oil is rapidly changing the operational climate for US oil and gas production. As highlighted in the December 4th Houston Business Journal article, “Oil price drops means businesses need to mitigate risk now,” a reevaluation of financial risk and mitigation measures is necessary to remain viable and profitable in … Read more
Oil field theft is not new, but with the rapid development in the Eagle Ford Shale, the opportunity for extensive and pervasive theft has expanded. Today’s article in the San Antonio Business Journal highlights the impact that such theft has on not just the companies from whom the oil was … Read more
When it comes to pipeline safety and security, our two neighbors provide an interesting and illustrative contrast. To our north, Canada’s oil and gas industry’s safety and security standards, with regards to pipelines, mirror and even surpass those of the U.S. The oil and gas sector is privately owned and … Read more
I have often said that opportunities along the U.S.–Mexico border are as vast as it landscape. However, those opportunities are not without risk. Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter’s most recent press release highlights the real threat that exists in South Texas [Porter Voices Concerns Over South Texas Pipelines Commissioner Visits Sites … Read more
“When it comes to pipelines, security is today where corrosion was 20 years ago.” This candid assessment, from Phillip Nidd, Vice President of Operations at Dynamic Risk USA, really distilled our impressions and understanding of security’s role at the 29 September – 3 October 2014 International Pipeline Conference in Calgary, … Read more
Threat is the “fissile material” needed to activate the individual components of asset, vulnerability, impact, consequence, and likelihood in the calculation of risk. It is threat that initiates the sequence of relationships and events that, together, combine to elevate or lower risk. It is important to understand threat in this … Read more
Yesterday’s article in the Houston Business Journal highlights an issue that Butchko, Inc. has been talking about for a while. Click here for full article.The Mexican cartels have and continue to exert significant influence in the Eagle Ford Shale region. Their operations are not new but they have certainly benefited … Read more
On August 14, 2014, the Energy Security Council (ESC) hosted its one-day summer conference alongside San Antonio’s scenic Riverwalk and Butchko, Inc. was there to meet with old friends, make new ones, and take the pulse of the oil and gas industry’s security community. Two particular topics caught our interest … Read more
It is easy to dismiss the chronic issue of human and drug smuggling in the Eagle Ford Shale Play as “the way it has always been in this part of Texas,” throw up a game fence, and get on with operations. This is a very shortsighted, naïve approach to the … Read more