NORM waste technologies used in decontamination and waste handling: An overview

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:69816

Hoover, J; Hebert, M

The presence of NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) in crude off and natural gas has been recognized since the 1930s. NORM forms when small quantities of radium and uranium precipitate with barium and calcium as carbonates or sulfates. The radium leaches from mineral deposits into adjacent water, and is then pumped to the surface with oil. NORM contamination can be a problem wherever scale precipitated in off production operations can accumulate. The most prevalent radioactive contamination is found in the South and along the Gulf Coast regions, where radium concentrations in the water are much higher than in other regions. The environmental as well as health and safety issues attendant to NORM in the oil and gas industry are receiving increased attention from both the public and private sectors. Although regulation of NORM in the United States is only emerging at this time, there appears to be a groundswell of state NORM regulations on the horizon. As a result of the enhanced regulatory climate and the proactive environmental mindset of the oil and gas industry, several major and independent oil and gas companies are in the process of cleanup and ultimate disposal of NORM.

• OSTI ID: 69816
• Report Number(s): CONF-941189--; ISBN 1-56590-016-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
CONTAMINATION
DECONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LEACHING
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
PETROLEUM
RADIUM
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WASTE PROCESSING