A man works at the West Qurna oilfield in southern Basra October 13, 2014.
A man works at the West Qurna oilfield in southern Basra October 13, 2014. Reuters/Essam Al-Sudani

Al Qaeda terrorists may be plotting to target Australia's oil supplies. In a message published in its English-language magazine Resurgence, the terrorist group called on extremists to target the "Achilles heel of Western economies dependent on oil from the Muslim world" and identified others vulnerable to attack including oil routes going to Australia.

According to The New Daily, Air Vice Marshal John Blackburn, former Air Force deputy chief, deems Al Qaeda's message as a significant threat. He said it was obvious for terrorists to target the fuel supply of Western nations. He warned that Australia's heavy reliance on imported fuel increases its vulnerability for terrorist attacks.

The Al Qaeda's propaganda magazine also contained details about the "energy umbilical cord" that powers western economies. A map of shipping target points ripe for destruction and an illustration of fuel routes between the Persian Gulf, Singapore and Australia can also be seen.

SMH reports that militants associated with Al Qaeda had attempted to hijack a Pakistani military vessel and use it to target U.S. Navy ships in the Indian Ocean. Since the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Al Qaeda has received less attention from world media. However, NRMA and Independent MP John Madigan believes the group's new focus on the Indian Ocean is a "chilling" reminder of what terrorists could do to attack Australia's energy security.

Reports said Australia currently imports 91 percent of diesel and petrol since the closure of the oil refineries of Shell and Caltex in Sydney. Half of Australia's fuel consumption comes from a major oil refinery in Singapore.

According to SMH, NRMA director Graham Blight revealed the threat of Al Qaeda in a meeting with the Biofuels Association last Oct. 31. He told media that a significant cut in oil supplies due to terrorism or piracy may cause Australian supermarket shelves to be emptied in seven days. Petrol browsers may also dry up in three days.

More than half of Australia's imported oil supply comes from the Middle East, which will need to pass through the Straits of Hormuz to Singapore before reaching the narrow Straits of Malacca where piracy is known. Blackburn believes any effect on Australia's oil supply could be "catastrophic." He predicted serious problems may occur after a week, leading to a possible collapse of society. Businesses, hospitals and industries may shut down affecting food and fuel consumption.

To avoid such a scenario, Madigan suggested that Australia should consider a fuel stockpile like in some countries in case of emergency. The U.S., EU nations and other countries have mandatory stockpiles for oil.