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Title: Naturally occurring radioactive material in the oil and gas industry

Abstract

Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) has been found in the Earth`s crust and soil, the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the tissues of every living organism. It is relatively easy to determine {open_quotes}concentrations{close_quotes}, or specific activity levels, in the range of 1 part per trillion for radioactive materials. With radioactive elements so abundant and detection possible at such low levels, the presence of NORM in oil and gas operations shouldn`t be surprising. In fact, this presence has been recognized since at least the 1930`s, but the phenomenon received only minimal attention in the United States until the mid-1980`s. At that time regulatory agencies in several oil- and gas-producing states began to focus on NORM in the exploration and production segment of the industry, expressing concern over potential health and safety implications. The most significant aspects of NORM in oil production operations include original source, transport media, composition/radionuclides present, measurement methods, health/safety issues, waste classification, and waste disposal. In addition, I will summarize industry-sponsored NORM data collection and analysis efforts being conducted to aid in development of sound policies and procedures to address environmental, health, and safety issues. Current activities by state and federalmore » regulatory agencies relevant to NORM in the oil and gas industry will also be reviewed.« less

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Mobil Exploration and Producing U.S., Inc., Dallas, TX (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
45237
Report Number(s):
CONF-941065-
TRN: 95:001437-0060
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 44. annual convention of the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies and the 41st annual convention of the Gulf Coast Section of the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Austin, TX (United States), 5-7 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies: Transactions. Volume 44; Major, R.P. [ed.]; PB: 847 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; 03 NATURAL GAS; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; PETROLEUM INDUSTRY; NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY; RADIATION HAZARDS; NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY

Citation Formats

Steingraber, W A. Naturally occurring radioactive material in the oil and gas industry. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Steingraber, W A. Naturally occurring radioactive material in the oil and gas industry. United States.
Steingraber, W A. 1994. "Naturally occurring radioactive material in the oil and gas industry". United States.
@article{osti_45237,
title = {Naturally occurring radioactive material in the oil and gas industry},
author = {Steingraber, W A},
abstractNote = {Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) has been found in the Earth`s crust and soil, the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the tissues of every living organism. It is relatively easy to determine {open_quotes}concentrations{close_quotes}, or specific activity levels, in the range of 1 part per trillion for radioactive materials. With radioactive elements so abundant and detection possible at such low levels, the presence of NORM in oil and gas operations shouldn`t be surprising. In fact, this presence has been recognized since at least the 1930`s, but the phenomenon received only minimal attention in the United States until the mid-1980`s. At that time regulatory agencies in several oil- and gas-producing states began to focus on NORM in the exploration and production segment of the industry, expressing concern over potential health and safety implications. The most significant aspects of NORM in oil production operations include original source, transport media, composition/radionuclides present, measurement methods, health/safety issues, waste classification, and waste disposal. In addition, I will summarize industry-sponsored NORM data collection and analysis efforts being conducted to aid in development of sound policies and procedures to address environmental, health, and safety issues. Current activities by state and federal regulatory agencies relevant to NORM in the oil and gas industry will also be reviewed.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/45237}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}

Conference:
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