British Pipeline Agency Ltd (BPA), a UK pipeline operator and consultant, has a purpose-built security control centre in Kingsbury, on the outskirts of Birmingham.
Security responsibilities at the Kingsbury Oil Terminal site are considerable, covering the pipeline systems owned by United Kingdom Oil Pipeline Ltd (UKOP), West London Pipeline and Storage Ltd (WLPS) and the Walton Gatwick Pipeline Company Ltd (WGPC). These sites stretch geographically from the Mersey in the north west of England, through much of the Midlands to the River Thames and south east England, and include product supply to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
The 24-hours a day, 365 days a year security requirements of this vast oil pipeline network, monitored at Kingsbury, are covered by 208 weekly man-hours, including 40 supervisor hours. The company has chosen Axis Security to provide CCTV monitoring and access control
The inclusion of supervisor hours in Axis’ proposal was one of the key reasons for the contract win, th petrochemical firm says. Andrew Murray, Security Manager for BPA, says: “This is a major security project, and one that produced very competitive proposals from six of the UK’s top 20 security companies. Axis Security was awarded the contract because it provided added value – the provision of supervisors demonstrates an understanding of the scope of this project and enables a management system that will ensure effective execution. Added to this, all Axis Security staff are first aid trained, which provides us with further peace of mind.”
BPA provides technical and operational solutions for global clients in the onshore oil and gas transmission sector. Crucial to its projects is the secure, safeguarding of pipeline sites. The Kingsbury project will start with an initial monitoring of the Kingsbury Oil Terminal based near Tamworth, the Mersey Pump station at Little Stanney and the Thames Pump Station at Coryton and will extend to the remaining 13 stations by 2015, once system installations are complete.
Andrew ads of the contract: “It has involved the creation of a purpose built security control hub with a fully tailored security system. The officers work in a modern, comfortable environment with top-of-the-range equipment and the result is an efficient and highly effective service.”
Jonathan Levine, Axis Group CEO and David Mundell, Sales and Marketing Director attended the open day of the Kingsbury Security Control Centre. Pictured left to right are Andrew Murray and Jonathan Levine, who says: “We are proud to be working with a company so prominent in the oil pipeline sector, where security is paramount. That we were chosen in such a competitive tender demonstrates our ability to provide bespoke, best-in-class security solutions to companies that are reliant on the safeguarding of nationally critical assets.” Visit www.axis-security.co.uk
