View source for Naturally occurring radioactive materials

You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

• The action you have requested is limited to users in one of the groups: Administrators, student, member, editor, Moderators, Staff.
• You do not have permission to edit pages in the Read namespace.

---

You can view and copy the source of this page.

<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) are a wide range of radioactive isotopes that include&nbsp;elements such as carbon 14 and potassium 40, both of which are present in the human body. But the main radioactive elements involved in oil and gas production are those found throughout Earth's crust. These elements include [[Glossary:Uranium|uranium]] and [[Glossary:Thorium|thorium]] and their respective byproducts, including radon gas.</span> == Origins of NORM == When Earth's crust was formed, radioactive materials like uranium and thorium were incorporated into it.<ref name="r1">Mously, K.A., Campbell, J.A., Cowie, M. 2009. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Management Guideline. Presented at the Asia Pacific Health, Safety, Security and Environment Conference, Jakarta, 4-6 August. SPE-123482-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/123482-MS.</ref> Normally, these elements exist in trace concentrations of parts per million (ppm), but the decay of such unstable radioactive materials forms other radionuclides that, under certain conditions in the subsurface environment--such as pressure, temperature, etc.--can be transported from the [[Glossary:Reservoir|reservoir]] to the surface as oil and gas products are being [[Glossary:Enhanced_oil_recovery|recovered]]. [[File:Scale buildup on pipe surface.JPG|frame|Scale buildup on pipe surface Mously, et al. <ref name="r1">Mously, K.A., Campbell, J.A., Cowie, M. 2009. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Management Guideline. Presented at the Asia Pacific Health, Safety, Security and Environment Conference, Jakarta, 4-6 August. SPE-123482-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/123482-MS.</ref>]] During production, NORM flows with the mixture of oil, gas, and water. It then accumulates in scale, [[Glossary:Sludge|sludge]], and scrapings. NORM can also form a thin film on the interior&nbsp;surfaces of gas processing equipment and vessels.&nbsp;The level of NORM accumulations in each medium varies between facilities and depends on different parameters, including geological formation and operational setup. A NORM survey, sampling, and analysis must be performed to determine if a facility has NORM contamination. The three types of radiation emitted by NORM are: Alpha (α), Beta (β), and Gamma (γ). == Testing for NORM == Scaling in downhole and surface production equipment is well known where water-drive reservoirs are in production.<ref>Carroll, J.F., Scott, H.D., Gunn, R.A., et al. 1990. Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material Logging. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, 23-26 September. SPE-20616-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/20616-MS.</ref> Sulfate scales--mainly&nbsp;consisting of barium, strontium, and calcium--occur&nbsp;on surface and downhole equipment. [[Glossary:Radium|Radium]] traces could be present in such scales, causing radioactivity. Cleaning such scaled equipment for future use can present a potential health hazard. Alternately, the equipment may have to be removed, stored, and disposed of according to established procedures for low-level radioactive waste. Measuring radiation levels at the wellsite requires the use of rugged [[Glossary:Gamma|gamma ray]] survey meters by specially trained personnel. The measurement of low levels of radiation on individual tubing sections can be difficult in the presence of natural background radiation. Fortunately, gamma ray well logging tools are highly sensitive instruments that can measure radiation inside scaled tubing in wells with less sensitivity to background signal. Evaluation of scale radioactivity before removal of tubing from the well benefits from a a reconnaissance logging technique that uses a [[Gamma_ray_logs|gamma ray logging]] tool calibrated specifically for radium. == Regulations == Various national and international organizations have issued regulations and guidelines on radiation protection in general, including specific guidelines for NORM, but none are specific to the oil and gas industry, nor do they provide clear guidelines to enable effective NORM management. Because of the inadequacies of these rules, the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) established a task force, headed by Saudi Aramco, to develop NORM Management Guidelines.<ref name="r1">Mously, K.A., Campbell, J.A., and Cowie, M. 2009. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Management Guideline Presented at the Asia Pacific Health, Safety, Security and Environment Conference, Jakarta, 4-6 August. SPE-123482-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/123482-MS.</ref>Thorough research, review and thorough consideration of most available NORM regulations, along the industry's current best practices in NORM management, went into the task. The OGP guidelines offer a simple and logical method of managing NORM-impacted operations that are flexible enough to be implemented across the industry. Workers who are required to work in a plant or with equipment that is NORM contaminated have the potential for external radiation exposure from closed systems during normal operations, and internal exposure if no controls are established during shutdowns and periods where systems are open.&nbsp;Equipment contaminated with NORM cannot be released for sale or disposal without being decontaminated and verified free of contamination. Waste material that is contaminated with enhanced levels of NORM is required to be disposed of in a controlled manner to ensure it does not provide an unacceptable risk to the environment and the general public. == Proper disposal == According to Diyashev, et al, between 1990 and 1991, multiple cases of radioactive scale&nbsp;were detected on the technological equipment of gathering, transport, and oil treatment systems.<ref>Diyashev, R.N., Takhautdinov, S.F., Antonov, G.P. 1994. Disposal of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Oil Production. Presented at the SPE Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Conference, Jakarta, 25-27 January. SPE-27216-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/27216-MS. </ref> Of the equipment tested, 30% was contaminated with radioactive scale. Gammaradiating power on the external surface of contaminated equipment reaches 6 mrem/h, twice the safe radiation dose for professionals established by the sanitary legislation of Russia. By Diyashev's estimation, the quantity of radioactive waste&nbsp;removed from technological equipment during repairs is as high as 3--4 thousand tons per year. The ultimate objective for NORM disposal should be providing protection to human health and the environment in a safe, practical, cost-effective, and permanent manner.<ref name="r1">2009. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Management Guideline Mously, K.A., Campbell, J.A., Cowie, M. Presented at the Asia Pacific Health, Safety, Security and Environment Conference, Jakarta, 4-6 August. SPE-123482-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/123482-MS.</ref> Disposal design should prevent contamination of natural resources like groundwater or soil in potential&nbsp;residential or agricultural areas. Re-injection and Class 1 landfills are the optimum methods of NORM disposal according to risk assessment studies conducted by Saudi Aramco. Ultimately, Saudi Aramco&nbsp;found that underground injection, specifically slurry fracture injection, to be the superior disposal method.&nbsp; == Noteworthy papers in OnePetro == <span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Barclay,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">W.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Zamfir,</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">S.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">2010.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Technically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material(TENORM) - How Much Do We Really Know?&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Presented at the&nbsp;SPE International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">, Rio de Janeiro</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">, 12-14 April.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">SPE-127128-MS.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">[http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/127128-MS.&nbsp http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/127128-MS.]</span><br/><br/><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Cowie,&nbsp;M.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">A.M.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Khalid.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">2009.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">The Design, Fabrication and Operation of a Mobile Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Decontamination Facility.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Presented at the Asia Pacific Health, Safety, Security and Environment Conference</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">, Jakarta</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">, 4-6 August.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;SPE-123496-MS.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">[http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/123496-MS.&nbsp http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/123496-MS.]</span> <span style="line-height: 20.8px;">De Witt,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">R.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Rutkowski,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">S.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Young,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">J. et al.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">2012.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Development of an Empirical Release Criterion for Oil and Gas Equipment with Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Surface Contamination.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Presented at the International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">, Perth, Australia</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">, 11-13 September.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">SPE-156692-MS.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">[http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/156692-MS http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/156692-MS]. </span><br/><br/><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Mason,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">J.Y.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Block,</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">R.J.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Knippers,</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">M.L.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">1992.&nbsp;Reduction of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material Disposal Volume by Chemical and Physical Treatment.&nbsp;Presented at the&nbsp;SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Washington, D.C.,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">4-7 October.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">SPE-24563-MS.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">[http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/24563-MS.&nbsp http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/24563-MS.&nbsp];<br/><br/>Woods,&nbsp;S.E.,&nbsp;Abernathy,</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">S.E.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">1997.&nbsp;</span>Implementing a Corporate-wide Policy For Dealing With Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material.&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">PETSOC-97-10-01.&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">[http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/97-10-01 http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/97-10-01]. J Can&nbsp;Pet&nbsp;Technol&nbsp;'''36 '''(10). </span>[http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/97-10-01 http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/97-10-01].<span style="line-height: 1.6;">&nbsp;</span> == References == <references /> == See also == [[Drilling_fluid_environmental_considerations|Drilling fluid environmental considerations]] [[Environment|Environment]] [[Glossary:Scale]] [[Mud_contamination|Mud contamination]] == External links == <div><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2015. Managing Radioactive Materials and Waste. (29 June, 2015 update).&nbsp;</span>[http://www.epa.gov/radiation/manage.html http://www.epa.gov/radiation/manage.html].</div><div><br/></div><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Veil,&nbsp;J.A. and&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Smith,&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.6;">K.P.&nbsp;</span>NORM-disposal options, costs vary. Oil & Gas Journal '''97 '''(1).&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">[http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-97/issue-1/in-this-issue/production/norm-disposal-options-costs-vary.html http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-97/issue-1/in-this-issue/production/norm-disposal-options-costs-vary.html].</span> == Categories == [[Category:JB]] [[Category:JB All Pages]] [[Category:JB Complete]] [[Category:SB]]

Return to Naturally occurring radioactive materials.