Radiation Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry

Arranger: J. Kenoyer, Dade Moeller, Oak Ridge, TN. Moderator: J. Kenoyer, Dade Moeller, Oak Ridge, TN. Monitors: C. Richards, S.C. Johnson – A Family Company, Racine, WI; J. Lewis, Maryland Dept. of the Environment, Baltimore, MD.

The oil and gas industry makes extensive use of radiation generators and sealed and unsealed radioactive sources. In addition, significant quantities of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) originating from the reservoir rock are encountered during production, maintenance and decommissioning. Over the past few years, NORM has become an ever increasing issue within this industry. A panel of four career radiation safety specialists will share a few insights from their practical experience in the area of regulating, measuring radiation or working with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the oil and gas industry. Topics will include: 1) The NORM Regulatory Universe; 2) Pathways for Exposure to NORM; 3) Petroleum Worker Survey for Exposure to Radon; 4) How to Avoid Errors of Measurements and Interpretation for NORM, and 5) Oil and Gas NORM/TENORM: Field Applications.

The NORM Regulatory Universe
A. Fellman, Dade Moeller, Gaithersburg, MD.

Pathways for Exposure to NORM
B. Thomas, Integrated Environmental Management, Findlay, OH.

Petroleum Worker Survey for Exposure to Radon
P. Owens, Shell Oil Company, Martinez, CA.

How to Avoid Errors of Measurements and Interpretation for NORM
R. Johnson, Dade Moeller, Gaithersburg, MD.

Oil and Gas NORM/TENORM: Field Applications
G. Blanchard, NORM Solutions, LLC, Arlington, TX.