TECHNOLOGY
DURING A PHASE of decommissioning , anyone working within an oil or gas facility knows the extensive problems caused by NORM , short for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material . NORMs can be costly , time consuming and ultimately damaging for the industry , so it is important that they are managed properly wherever possible .
NORMS ARE PARTICULARLY DAMAGING BECAUSE OF THREE DIFFERENT FACTORS :
• NORM waste is made even more dangerous when it is inevitably mixed with other hazardous substances .
• NORM waste cannot be easily identified and can remain undetected .
• NORM can remain even after cleaning procedures have been carried out .
Anyone maintaining an oil or gas facility needs to be aware of the fact that even if NORM is not detected during or after the shutdown of a plant , it should still be regarded as a long-term recurring issue that could be identified at any point during operational practices . If this mind-set is adhered to , then this will save any facility time and money , leaving management prepared for any set-backs NORMs may incur . Surveying processes need to be issued on a regular basis so that the adverse effects of NORMs is limited and kept to a minimum with the facility . Working in this way will ensure that management has peace of mind when the acceptance criteria for transporting materials is so important within any oil or gas operation .
Continual consultation with Radiation Protection Advisers ( otherwise known as RPAs ) and Radiation Waste Advisers ( also referred to as RWAs ) is also crucial when understanding the importance of dealing with NORMs . Not only is this a legal requirement for anyone working with these waste materials , but it is a steadfast way of understanding these materials at the planning stages of any shutdown or project .
This blog post is a helpful source in understanding more about NORM during decommissioning for any gas or oil facility . It is published by Tracerco , a firm that hosts an array of certified RPAs who understand the problems they incur more than anyone in the business .
18 June 2017