Among the best practices for operating in the oilfield or on an offshore rig is the continuous monitoring and recording as necessary, the conditions and activity at the production facility.
Whether it is an oilfield multi-well pad with co-located processing, water treatment, storage and pipeline headers or a single pumpjack at the end of 5 miles of unpaved road, the ability to see on video what is happening or to see a recording of what already happened is vital and oilfield security cameras are the answer.
There many reasons for deploying a video security system at field locations but the primary reasons can be boiled down to these three:
Crime Deterrence and Prosecution
Oilfield operators are acutely aware of the value, both monetary and in productivity, of the equipment on location. Solar-powered SCADA systems are one of the most commonly stolen items from a wellpad. And, a common name for that familiar, lidded opening on the top of an oil storage tank is thief hatch. Whether on the edge of town or on the far end of the north 40, oil wells are likely targets for two reasons: the equipment and raw materials are valuable and much of the time, there is no one there.
Video security and surveillance systems will deter criminal activity because criminals do not want to be recorded at the scene of the crime. And, a video record of the crime as it occurred provides key evidence for police and law enforcement to take action.
General activity
A video record of the last time a transport driver loaded liquid onsite can help resolve an apparent discrepancy in barrels delivered. Likewise, video can settle a difference of opinion between a pumper and foreman on when the work on the pump motor actually took place.
Safety
The oil and gas industry sets the pace among industries for not only safety initiatives and innovative safety technology, but for maintaining a constant level of safety awareness at all levels of its workforce. Video documentation of unsafe practices can correct field worker tasks and prevent accidents. Safe practices caught on camera can also be promoted as examples for all field workers and used in safety incentive programs.
Video monitoring is also essential to observing potentially hazardous conditions and taking action to prevent an accidental release or combustion. Some visible-light video security systems can be integrated with infrared cameras, gas monitors and alarm systems into an efficient, full-coverage site protection and safety structure.
