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Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
The extraction and processing of oil and gas can occasionally lead to the accumulation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, commonly known as NORM. The NORM manifests itself in high concentrations as Low Specific Activity (LSA) Scale inside processing pipework and equipment, and also as deposits in waste by-products such as process water pits and lagoons. NORM is recognised by the petroleum industry as a potential radiation hazard, with serious consequences to human health. The composition and level of accumulation of NORM varies with geographical location, ore composition and processing technology, but has been found to be present at levels varying from undetectable to extremely high. In order to maintain normal operations and a safe working environment, it is necessary to locate and characterise NORM and control the hazards it presents.
ARC offers a complete range of NORM Services, delivering solutions tailored to the specific needs of your organisation. ARC has experience of working with some of the world’s most prestigious organisations in the following areas:
NORM Surveying
Baseline site surveys to establish the presence of NORM in processing equipment and/or waste storage pits
Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation surveys
Environmental sampling and analysis of material
NORM Management
Decontamination services for tanks, vessels, tubulars valves etc.
Advice on options for storage, transport and disposal of NORM contaminated equipment/material
Remediation of NORM contaminated land
Radiation Safety Services
Personnel training and development
Provision of Radiation Protection Supervisors / Advisors (RPS / RPA)
Optioneering studies to determine the appropriate course of action when presented with several viable solutions
Health Physics services including radiation monitoring equipment and radiological/personal protective equipment
Regulatory Compliance
Compliance with relevant local, national and international radiological regulations, procedures and standards
Development of NORM management guidelines
Experience
Typical projects include:
A baseline survey was carried out using radiological monitoring equipment to detect NORM at various stations within several fields owned by an operating company in Libya. The surveys checked separation equipment and water pits for alpha, beta and gamma radiation. The study provided a summary of the level of NORM contamination at each of the Operating Company’s sites and made recommendations for precautionary measures and remediation where required.
Provision of technical and environmental services to a number of operating companies, including decontamination treatment of equipment and land remediation with oil recovery.
Provision of advice on project management and implementation support for the removal of industrial radioactive material from an operating company’s site in Kuwait to a safe disposal site in accordance with international law, and the law of the countries dispatching and receiving the material. |
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