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Naturally occurring radioactive materials: Difference between revisions
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (view source)
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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]]. | 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]]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 surfaces of gas processing equipment and vessels. 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). | [[File:Scale buildup on pipe surface.JPG|frame|Scale buildup on pipe surface<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 surfaces of gas processing equipment and vessels. 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 == | == Testing for NORM == | ||