OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, NOV. 29, 2007 - In the September HSToday I wrote the one-page story, “The Case of Cushing,” that was part of our special report “Petro Jihad” that examined oil and gas production and distribution infrastructure security throughout North America.

But “The Case of Cushing” report did not adequately convey the potentially catastrophic impact a terrorist attack on the little known facility at Cushing, Oklahoma would have on the global oil economy, or just how insecure this vital installation seems to be. And it is, arguably, the most important oil infrastructure in North America given the impact its destruction would have.


But emphasis on its security was found wanting. Even former CIA Director James Woolsey, an advisor to the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, admitted the facility isn’t sufficiently hardened against attack. He described it as “a soft target.” Authorities say it shouldn’t be!

That isn’t reassuring given the complex’s importance. The effect inventories of crude stored at the facility can have on crude pricing is already on a hair trigger.