NORM Radiation

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NORM Survey Service.

What NORM is and where it originates:

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) refers to radioactive elements which exist naturally in trace amounts within the rock formations composing the earth’s crust. These unstable isotopes include primarily those of Uranium, Thorium and associated daughter isotopes formed by radioactive decay. During certain conditions, specific radioactive components originating within the crust become mobile.

When NORM becomes an issue:

NORM is transported from deep underground to the surface with oil & gas products and subsurface equipment. Oil and gas recovery operations produce technologically enhanced NORM (TENORM) and such activities can significantly increase the concentrations of radionuclides. NORM-impacted fluids and equipment are often moved between different work sites as equipment and materials are reconditioned and reused. Concentrated NORM poses risks to both human health and the environment and becomes an issue when worker exposure reaches potentially harmful levels.

Where NORM can be found and concentrated:

NORM in the oil and natural gas industries can accumulate and become concentrated at different stages of the recovery process. Of principle concern within the oilfield industry, NORM nuclides of Radium-226 and Radium-228 migrate with hydrocarbons and formation water. Radium isotopes, being chemically similar to other elements precipitating from produced fluids, are readily incorporated into pipe scale. Additionally, other radioactive isotopes resulting from the decay of Radium can plate tubulars. Radium nuclides that are not incorporated into pipe scale can be detected in sludge, produced sands and water, or form scale on equipment further in the production process. Radon, a radioactive gas, can mobilize with lighter oil fractions, though more typically travels with produced gas forming thin radioactive films on gas processing equipment. Click for a list of commonly NORM-impacted equipment.

How to protect from and remove NORM radiation:

The first step in control of NORM-impacted materials is a baseline NORM survey to establish awareness and identification of the locations and site-specific activities that result in concentration of NORM above potentially hazardous levels. Following an initial survey, identified NORM-impacted equipment, waste materials and/or soil is decontaminated or properly disposed of. A follow-up confirmation survey/sampling event is then conducted to document effectiveness of NORM remediation activities. With awareness of the processes during which NORM can become concentrated, plans can be developed to control NORM contaminated equipment and waste. The frequency of NORM monitoring surveys and subsequent clean-up/remediation confirmation activities can be site specific, or determined by corporate NORM management policy. View our NORM Services page to read how Gamma Seek can help control NORM exposure at your facility.

About NORM in the Oil & Gas Industry

How NORM radiation can be evaluated:

Radiation can be evaluated based on resultant radioactivity, exposure, absorbed dose and dose equivalent. As pertains to NORM in the oil & gas industry, of principal concern is radiation exposure, or the amount of radiation traveling through the air, which can potentially make direct contact with workers in the area. Components of NORM are most often associated with gamma radiation, for which radiation dose to human tissue is considered equivalent to exposure for this penetrating radiation. Sophisticated detectors are used to measure the rate of exposure in units of micro-roentgens per hour. In certain circumstances, non-penetrating particulate radiation from alpha and beta decay should be considered as the inhalable portion may be especially damaging, although it is also typically associated with components exhibiting detectable gamma radiation well above background levels.