1. NORM MANAGEMENT IN THE OILFIELD
“We have solutions for your NORM problems” N
“We have solutions for your NORM problems” S O L U T I O N S R
Geri Cooley, MS, REM, CSP
Radiation Safety Officer M
NORM MANAGEMENT IN THE OILFIELD
PERMIAN BASIN STEPS NETWORK
MAY 11, 2010

2. WHY DO COMPANIES DECON EQUIPMENT?
Avoid Pollution
Maximize Storage Capability
Comply With Regulations
Protect Workers
Property Transfers
Continue Operations

3. TEXAS AGENCIES Railroad Commission of Texas
Disposal Only of Oil & Gas NORM
Department of State Health Services
Possession, Handling, Worker Protection, Transportation EVERYTHING UP TO DISPOSAL
Department of Transportation
Transportation of Radioactive Material

4. LICENSEE CATEGORIES
General Licensee - Producers, operators, equipment yards, pipe yards, etc.
Specific Licensee - A company that applies to and is approved by the regulatory authority for a license to perform NORM work.
Is it Routine Maintenance or Decontamination?

5. NORM SPECIFIC LICENSEES IN TEXAS
Aecom Technical Services Inc
Alamo Environmental Inc
Almac LLC
Dunagin Transport Co
Enercon Services Inc
Etech Environmental & Safety Solutions
Four Lane Inc
Lighthouse Environmental Services
Lotus LLC
Newpark Environmental Services LLC
NORM Decon Services LLC
Nuclear Sources & Services Inc
Protechnics Environmental
PSC Industrial Outsourcing LP
Radiation Environmental Mgmt
SYMB Environmental LLC
United States Environmental SVCS
US Ecology Texas LP
USA Environment LP
Reciprocity Licensees:
American Pollution Control Corp – LA
Dade Moeller And Associates Inc – MD
Dynamic Industries Inc – LA
Energy Solutions LLC – TN
Grand Isle Shipyard – LA
Major Equipment & Remediation Svcs – LA
Rice Operating Company – NM
Trussco Inc – LA

6. HANDLING NORM
General Licensee – Required to have a NORM Worker Protection Plan; 25 TAC
Worker Protection Worker Training – get trained!
NORM Awareness
NORM Worker
NORM Surveyor
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
Secure the location/equipment with notices & signs

7. RRC MARKING RULE 16 TAC RULE 4.605
All Operators/Producers in Texas MUST mark their NORM-Contaminated Equipment with the letters “NORM”
Clearly visible waterproof tag or marking with a legible waterproof paint or ink
Must be conspicuous to the worker (by the valve, man way, etc.)

8. SURVEY TECHNIQUES Survey within 1 centimeter of the surface
Check the response of the meter every time you conduct a survey
Meters must be calibrated every 12 months
Record the results of the survey on a report form with a schematic of the site
Take Pictures

9. EQUIPMENT & WASTE
Vessels/Pipe are Contaminated at 50 µR/hr
Determines if a specific licensee is required to decon the vessel
Waste/Soil is contaminated at 30 pCi/g of Ra226 & Ra228 or 150 pCi/g of the associated daughter products (Pb210)
Waste Characterization
Disposal

10. RADIATION UNITS Exposure – Radiation that is emitted from an object
Roentgen – Measures Exposure (R/hr)
Exposure – Radiation that is emitted from an object
REM – Measures Dose
Dose – Radiation that contacts the body
RAD – Measures Absorbed Dose
Absorbed Dose – Radiation that enters the body and can cause damage

11. SHIPPING SAMPLES DO NOT SHIP SAMPLES VIA THE U.S. POSTAL SYSTEM!
It is illegal to ship radioactive material USPS
Use a Private Carrier (FEDEX, UPS, DHL, etc)
Packages that measure over 50 µR/hr require:
“UN2910” must be written on the inside package
The outer package must not exceed 500 µR/hr

12. NORM TRANSPORT
Determine if the load is considered “Radioactive” per DOT – 2 steps
Rule of Thumb Calculation - Gamma Spectroscopy
Ra226 % = Analysis / 2,700 pCi/g
Ra228 % = Analysis / 2,700 pCi/g
Th228 % = Analysis / 270 pCi/g
Total % > 100% Radioactive, < 100% Non-radioactive
If Radioactive, survey outer package > 500 µR/hr then placard “Radioactive” and manifest with proper shipping name

13. AUTHORIZED DISPOSAL 16 TAC RULE 4.614
Authorized by Rule
Disposal in plugged & abandoned wells
Burial At the Same Site where the NORM was generated
Land farming At the Same Site where NORM was Generated
Disposal at a licensed facility
Injection If NOW Waste
Permit Required
Non-retrieved Flowlines/Pipelines
Commercial Surface Waste Management Facilities
Disposal into plugged & abandoned wells
Injection into Enhanced Oil Recovery Injection Wells
Injection

14. NORM COMMERCIAL DISPOSAL FACILITIES
All Facilities use injection disposal methods
New Park Resources – Winnie TX
Inject Into Domal Salt
MB Energy – Liberty TX
Lotus LLC – Andrews TX
Salt Cavern Disposal Into Bedded Salt

15. Geri Cooley, MS, REM, CSP Radiation Safety Officer
“We have solutions for your NORM problems” N
“We have solutions for your NORM problems” S O L U T I O N S R
Geri Cooley, MS, REM, CSP
Radiation Safety Officer M
QUESTIONS?
Office: (432) Fax: (432)