TE - NORM Awareness

Agenda
• Location Emergency Procedures
• Trainer Introduction
• Training course ground rules
• GUPCO’s Commitment to Personnel’s HSE Competence
• Definitions
• Radiation Sources
• A. Naturally Occurrence Radio active Materials (NORM)
• B. Manmade Radio Active Sources
• Background Exposure
• Exposure Sources (UK Data)
• NORM Formation
• How and where is NORM Accumulated ?
• Types Of Radiations
• Usage of Ionizing radiations
• Types of Ionizing Radiation
• Alpha
• Beta
• Gamma
• Heath Hazardous of Ionizing Radiation
• Radiation Protection Basics
• Protective Clothing
• What is the procedures for the Proper handling Materials contaminated with NORM?
• What did GUPCO do to deal with NORM?
• Program of AEA Experts visit
• Training
• Radiological Mapping
• Table of radiological survey at R/SH
• Time allowed for Radiation workers to receive maximum
daily or weekly exposure in restricted area
• Advices for measuring radiation
• Precautions must be applied during transportation of NORM Scales And NORM
Contaminated Equipment/Tools
• Waste Disposable Site
• DON’T
Training Course Ground Rules

• Start/end on time
• Effective participation is important
• Focus on topic
• Avoid side talks
• Switch mobile phone off or put in silence mode
GUPCO’s Commitment to Personnel’s HSE
Competence

GUPCO HSE Training Practice states: “People’s

behaviour is critical to GUPCO’s success;
therefore, our workforce will be carefully selected
and trained, and their skills and competencies
regularly assessed.”
Definitions:

• Radiation: Energy in the form of particles and waves

• Radioactive Material: Material that is unstable and
emits radiation
• Contamination: Radioactive material where it is not
wanted
• Campfire example: burning logs (radioactive
material), heat (radiation), burning embers that
escape the controlled area (contamination)
Definitions:

Ion:
Any atom or molecule with an
imbalance in electrical charge
is called an ion

Half Life Time:

The time required to reduce the
amount of a particular type of
radioactive material by one-
half
(Note: Half-life: a useful way of
telling geologic time)
 Radiation Sources
Key: The difference between man-made sources of radiation and naturally
occurring sources is the place from which the radiation originates. The
following information briefly describes some examples of human-made
radiation sources.

A. Naturally Occurrence Radio active Materials (NORM):

1. Cosmic Radiation
2. Terrestrial Radiation
3. Internal Radiation

B. Manmade Radio Active Sources:

1. Medical radiation sources
2. Consumer products
3. Atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons
4. Industrial uses
A. Naturally Occurrence Radio active
Materials (NORM):
• Cosmic Radiation:
The Earth, and all living things on it, are constantly bombarded by radiation from space,
similar to a steady drizzle of rain. Charged particles from the sun and stars interact with the
Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field to produce a shower of radiation, typically beta and
gamma radiation. The dose from cosmic radiation varies in different parts of the world due to
differences in elevation and the effects of the Earth’s magnetic field.

• Terrestrial Radiation
Radioactive material is found throughout nature. It occurs naturally in the soil, water, and
vegetation. The major isotopes of concern for terrestrial radiation are uranium and the decay
products of uranium, such as thorium, radium, and radon. Low levels of uranium, thorium, and
their decay products are found everywhere. Some of these materials are ingested with food and
water, while others, such as radon, are inhaled. The dose from terrestrial sources varies in
different parts of the world. Locations with higher concentrations of uranium and thorium in
their soil have higher dose levels.

• Internal Radiation
In addition to the cosmic and terrestrial sources, all people have radioactive potassium-40,
carbon-14, lead-210, and other isotopes inside their bodies from birth. The variation in dose from
one person to another is not as great as the variation in dose from cosmic and terrestrial sources.
B. Manmade Radio Active Sources:

• Medical radiation sources X rays are identical to gamma rays; however, they are
produced by a different mechanism. X rays are an ionizing radiation hazard. A typical
radiation dose from a chest x ray is about 10 mrem. The total average dose from medical
x rays is 40 mrem in a year. In addition to x rays, radioactive isotopes are used in
medicine for diagnosis and therapy. The total average dose is 14 mrem in a year.
• Consumer products Examples include TV's, older luminous dial watches, some smoke
detectors, and lantern mantles. This dose is relatively small as compared to other
naturally occurring sources of radiation and averages 10 mrem in a year.
• Atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons Another man-made source of radiation
includes residual fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing in the 1950's and
early 1960's. Atmospheric testing is now banned by most nations. The average dose
from residual fallout is about 2 mrem in a year.
• Industrial uses Industrial uses of radiation include x-ray machines and radioactive
sources (radiography) used to test pipe welds, bore-holes, etc. Most people receive little
if any dose from these sources.
Background Exposure
• Your exposure to radiation can never be zero because background
radiation is always present
• Natural Sources - Radon
• Cosmic
• Terrestrial
• Technologically Enhanced Sources (Man-Made)
• Healing Arts: Diagnostic X-rays, Radiopharmaceuticals
• Nuclear Weapons Tests fallout
• Industrial Activities
• Research
• Consumer Products
• Miscellaneous: Air Travel, Transportation of Radioactive Material
Exposure Sources (UK Data)
NORM Formation

• In the oil and gas operations, Naturally Occurring

Radioactive Materials (NORM) originates in subsurface
formations where radioactive isotopes dissolve and are
brought to the surface in produced fluids (usually water).
• During extraction and processing operations,
Technologically Enhanced NORM (TE-NORM)
precipitates in the form of scales or sludges with higher
concentrations.
• Accordingly, TE-NORM is considered as a potential
radiation source in the petroleum industries which needs
to be controlled to maintain safe working conditions and
effective protection for the personnel and the environment
against radiation exposure and radioactive contamination
How and where is NORM Accumulated ?

• How?
Due to the process changes in the produced fluid
(temperature, pressure, etc.) precipitates collect in tubing
strings and surface equipment in the form of scales and
sludge.
• Where?
Examples of surface equipment that may contain NORM
include tubular, heater, wellheads, separators, and salt
water tanks
 Separators
Radio active source sign

Pipe lines
 Types Of Radiations

Ionizing Radiations
removes electrons from atoms
Non- Ionizing Radiation:
- Particulate (alphas and betas)
(electromagnetic): can't remove electrons from atoms
- Waves (gamma and X-rays)
.e.g
infrared, visible, microwaves, radar, radio waves, lasers
.e.g
X- Rays, Alpha, Beta,& Gamma rays
Note: NORM considered as an Ionising Radiation
Because it produces Alpha, Beta & Gamma Rays
Usage of Ionising radiations

• It can be used:

• Either for useful and peaceful purposes (e.g.

Medical and Industrial applications.)
• OR for military purposes
( e.g. Nuclear weapons.)
Types of Ionising Radiation

• There are basically 3

main types of radiation:

1. Alpha
2. Beta
3. Gamma
1- Alpha

• Emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom as it “decays” to

another isotope or element.
– Can cause tissue damage
Have very limited “travel” distance (centimetres)
– Can be stopped by something as thin as paper or skin
• Dangerous only when alpha emitter is inhaled or
ingested
2- Beta

Electrons emitted from a radioactive atom as it

“decays” to another isotope or element.
Very small and not as easily stopped as alpha
particles.
Can cause tissue damage.
Still have limited “travel” distance e.g. about 8 -
9 mm in living tissue.
Can be stopped by aluminium foil
3- Gamma

• Electromagnetic energy similar to X-Rays

• Very penetrating (can pass right through the body.
• High doses can severely damage tissue.
• Stopped by dense materials such as lead or steel.

Note: The thick walls of production piping and vessels act as

effective shields and limit exposure to gamma radiation from any
NORM scale found inside the such piping and vessels to well
below safe limits, also completely stop any alpha or beta radiation.
Health Hazards of Ionising Radiation

• Main tissues affected by the radiations are Blood, Skin &

Gonads.
• High concentrations of radiation may affects body cells
causing cancer, cause damage to the cellular genetic
material (DNA), and may lead to death.

Note:
It is important to know that the radiations in the environment that come from sunlight, power-lines,
electrical equipment and mobile phone systems do not have enough energy to produce these
ionization effects. They are, therefore, classified as non- ionizing radiation.
Radiation Protection Basics

• Time: minimize the time that you are in contact with radioactive
material to reduce exposure

• Distance: keep your distance. If you double the distance the

exposure rate drops by factor of 4

• Shielding:
– Lead, water, or concrete for gamma & X-ray
– Thick plastic (lucite) for betas

• Protective clothing: protects against contamination only - keeps

radioactive material off skin and clothes
Protective Clothing
• Can be a very effective means of preventing skin, eyes,
& clothing from becoming contaminated
• Gloves (may want double layer)
• Lab Coat
• Eyewear to prevent splashes and provide shielding for
high energy beta emitters
• Closed toe footwear
• It is much easier to remove contaminated clothing
than to decontaminate your skin!
What is the procedures for the Proper handling Materials contaminated
with NORM?

1. Work should be done under the supervision and/or

directions of Ras Shukhier’s RPS.
2. The RPS should perform a pre-job radiation survey of the
location.
3. The work area should be marked off with highly visible
rope or tape.
4. If needed, the work area should be posted as “Caution:
Restricted area/Radioactive Material” .
5. NORM contaminated materials should be maintained in a
wetted state before and during handling.
What is the procedures for the Proper handling Materials contaminated
with NORM?

6. During Pigging operations, sludge removing personnel

should be positioned as far as possible to avoid being
splashed with the slurry material and must wear the
adequate PPE. ( regular coverall, dust mask, gloves,
glasses, boot).
7. Tubular transported should be tightly sealed at both ends
with hard plastic to ensure that no contamination occurs
during the transportation.
8. Film badges or Thermo Luminescence Detector (TLD)
will be worn by all employees directly engaged in
NORM handling.
What did GUPCO do to deal with NORM?

• GUPCO has signed a contract with Atomic Energy Authority (AEA )

since August 1995
• According to a bilateral contract the Atomic Energy Authority (AEA)
Egypt carries out Radiation Protection Service Activities at GUPCO
R/Sh. A team of three or Four AEA experts visit GUPCO R/Sh campus
at approximate intervals of Six to Eight Weeks.
• The duration of the each visit usually lasts for three days. And the
details of all the activities preformed during each visit are documented
in individual reports filed at both GUPCO R/Sh Safety Division and the
Atomic Energy Authority.
Program of AEA Experts visit

• The main features of the programs include:

1) Training
2) Radiological mapping
3) Periodical monitoring
4)  Measurement of Personal Radiation Dose
5) Procedures of NORM handling
Training

• On Job Training For Technical Staff

• Training for Medical Staff
• Awareness Program
• Training for HSE Department Staff
• User-License Training Courses

Note: Practice S-500 concerning NORM in the GUPCO

HSE Manual
Radiological Mapping

• Routine Radiological Surveys Are Performed at Various Sites at R/Sh Area on

Every Visit. This Survey Is Intended to Classify Working Areas at R/Sh Into
Restricted, Controlled, Supervised and Screened According to Latest
Internationally Recommended Radiation Exposure Levels.

Table-1 classification of working area:

Area Radiation level

Normal < 0.5 µSv/h

Screened 0.5 µSv/h
Supervised 0.5-3 µSv/h
Controlled 3-10 µSv/h
Restricted >10 µSv/h
 Table of radiological survey at R/SH

• Radioactive Waste Site Restricted

• Materials Yard (Solid Waste Site) Restricted
• Radiography Source Area Restricted
• Free Water Knock Out Restricted and controlled
• R/Ush Restricted and controlled
• July Field Restricted and controlled
• October Field Supervised and controlled
• Morgan 1 Supervised and controlled
• Morgan 8 Controlled
• Morgan 36 Controlled
• R/Sh. Process Plant Controlled – Supervised
• R/Bakr Screened and supervised
• Badri Platform Screened
• Shoab Aly Controlled
• Ramadan 6 Controlled
• Ballast Controlled 
Time allowed for Radiation workers to receive maximum
daily or weekly exposure in restricted area.

Dose rate in restricted Hours per week Minutes per day

area (Sv/h)
10 40 343
20 20 171
30 13.33 114
40 10 86
50 8 69
60 6.66 57
70 5.71 49
80 5 43
90 4.44 38
100 4 34
Advices for measuring radiation

For measuring personal

exposure dose of
radiation For measuring the
rate of radiation
Precautions must be applied during transportation of NORM Scales And
NORM Contaminated Equipment/Tools

1. Inform all the involved team that the cargo Contain NORM
2. Issue the waste transportation manifest, mention the existing of
NORM and its measure
3. Wetting NORM to avoid dust which contain radiant particles
4. Collect NORM Scales on heavy plastic bags, and cover the opened
ends of pipes containing NORM with plastic caps or heavy plastic
sheet to avoid splashing.
5. Post Warning signs
6. Apply warning taps (on boats) (Yellow tap)
7. Apply Full PPE if involved
 Waste Disposable Site

• The NORM Waste Disposal Site

Was Selected by the AEA Expert
Group in Coordination With the
Health Safety and Environmental
Department.
• The Site Was Prepared to Be an
Interim Waste Disposal Site.
• AS HSE we are ongoing to
implement a new project to
Construct a concrete pit for NORM
storage as per new regulation, under
the supervision of AEA expert.
DON’T

• DON’T Eat / Drink

• DON’T Chew Tobacco
• DON’T Chew gum
• DON’T Smoke
• DON’T Apply Cosmetics
• DON’T Stay In Designated
Work Area (s), if you are not
involved
• DON’T wait to notify someone
of any incident
• DON’T be afraid…be
cautious.
• DON'T take protective
clothing home
Thanks