QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/155763
PRODUCTS & SERVICES Spills & Hazards The emergence in the petroleum sector of Radiation Management in HS&E Health, Safety and Environment is always a key area when planning or carrying out work activities, more so in the petroleum, mining and construction industries than just about anywhere else. As the human animal is very much a sensory respondent – "I will believe it when I see it", it is often very difficult to truly acknowledge a potential hazard unless we can directly see/touch/taste/hear or feel it. This is a challenge faced in many sectors in HS&E (chemical, biological etc) and more recently radiological. Written by Anthony O'Brien, Managing Director, Radiation Professionals ver recent years, as the petroleum industry matures in Australia and some reservoirs approach end of life, various means may be employed to derive the last hydrocarbons from a well, including approaches such as water injection. Changes such as this being introduced to the overall process can see scale, sand and sludge build-ups in process facilities where before there was none. These build-ups can include radioactive materials, often in significant quantities. The presence of radioactive materials, known as NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) and potential exposures to them needs to be managed, just like all other hazards. O Radiation Professionals has noted, through interactions with the industry, that the Management of TENORM (Technologically Enhanced NORM) in petroleum was, until recently, a relatively unidentified issue, though it has been recognised for some time in other regions such as the US and the UK. However radiation (and radioactive materials) in the petroleum industry are not new. Radioactive gauges have been used for a considerable time to provide feedback on key processes. Radiation gauges have their own unique challenges to be faced. It is often hard to get a handle on just what is required for your operations. This can be vastly different depending on the source(s) of your radiation hazards, where the requirements can be clear cut and straightforward or very complex and convoluted. 134 Mining and petroleum facilities often utilise fixed radiation gauges. There is potential for radiation exposure from these sources at high levels, though following correct practices will mitigate this – but it is all about knowing the correct practices and procedures. The requirements for sites with fixed radiation gauges are well defined, including: • Retaining licensed personnel as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) • Site AND individual gauges may need to be registered with regulators • Site required to have a current Radiation Management Plan • RSO must carry out approved radiation monitoring program • Gauges need to be compliance tested every 12 months to 3 years These requirements are well set out in codes of practice and state regulations and acts. While the potential radiation levels experienced at a site with TENORM can be orders of magnitude less than those from radiation gauges, the requirements for facility operators can be less clear, to say the least. The basic requirements are largely the same as for gauges (RMP, RSO, monitoring and registration/licences) however the detail in those requirements is often a lot QUEENSLAND MINING & ENERGY BULLETIN / Spring 2013 / www.qmeb.com.au more complex. While a gauge is a fixed source, known and located in one spot, TENORM may be unknown until surveys are carried out, may exist in many (and some surprising) locations throughout the site and TENORM can be in various forms that may differ from facility to facility. Therefore regulatory requirements vary from facility to facility, depending on the amount of material involved, the concentrations of radionuclides in material and many other factors. Perhaps one of the most significant differences between TENORM and gauges is the sheer volume of waste that may be generated. If this waste is TENORM, disposal is a very complex operation, especially as there are no established, industry standard disposal pathways currently in Australia. The complexities of removing this waste from facilities, conditioning the waste and ultimate disposal can present personnel exposure and environmental release challenges. This complexity is seeing the emergence of radiation as a key consideration in HS&E planning in the petroleum sector in Australia. In conclusion, coming to grips with radiation management, especially in the petroleum sector, is not always straight forward, so early planning is a vital step towards successful management of radiation in HS&E. For more information visit www.radsafe.com.au, email info@radsafe.com.au and call (07) 3112 5116.