Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)
المواد المشعة الطبيعية (NORM)
- Next date
- Available in-house
- Fees from
- —per delegate
- Formats
- In-house training0 sessions
- Duration
- 5 daysCertificate
Overview
Naturally occurring radioactive material, known as NORM, is brought to the surface with oil, gas and produced water from many reservoirs. Radium, lead and polonium isotopes can accumulate in scale, sludge and deposits inside tubulars, separators, pipelines, tanks and gas processing equipment, while radon can concentrate in gas streams and propane fractions. Workers may be exposed during maintenance, cleaning, inspection and waste handling, and contaminated equipment and waste must be managed carefully to protect people, the environment and the reputation of operating companies.
This course provides a practical understanding of NORM in the oil and gas industry and how to manage it safely. Participants learn basic radiation science, the origin of NORM in oil and gas production, where it accumulates and the types of radiation it emits. The course covers health effects of radiation, dose limits and the principles of radiation protection, survey instruments and monitoring methods, and the identification and classification of contaminated equipment. It also explains safe work practices, protective equipment, contamination control, decontamination, waste handling and disposal, regulation and NORM management programmes.
Objectives
- Explain basic radiation science and the origin of NORM in oil and gas
- Identify where NORM accumulates in production and processing equipment
- Describe health effects, dose limits and radiation protection principles
- Use survey instruments to detect and measure NORM contamination
- Apply safe work practices, PPE and contamination control for NORM work
- Manage decontamination, waste handling, storage, transport and disposal
- Meet regulatory requirements and develop a NORM management programme
Who should attend
HSE and radiation protection staff, production and maintenance supervisors, inspection and cleaning contractors, waste management personnel and environmental staff.
Training methodology
The course combines clear explanation of radiation principles with practical demonstrations of survey instruments, real survey records and examples of contaminated equipment. Participants calculate simple doses, interpret survey readings, classify equipment and waste, and prepare safe work procedures for typical NORM tasks such as vessel cleaning and pipe descaling. Personal protective equipment and contamination control arrangements are reviewed in practical exercises. Case studies from oil and gas operations show how NORM problems were identified and managed. Each day ends with a short quiz and group discussion.
Programme outline
Day1Radiation Basics and the Origin of NORM
- Atoms, isotopes and radioactive decay explained in simple terms for industry staff
- Alpha, beta and gamma radiation and their ability to penetrate materials and the body
- Activity, dose and dose rate and the units used to measure each of them
- Natural background radiation and how NORM differs from man-made radioactive sources
- Uranium and thorium decay series and the origin of radium in reservoir water
- How NORM is mobilised during production and deposited in scale and sludge
- Practical exercise: calculating simple dose rates and doses for different exposure times
Day2Where NORM Is Found and Its Health Effects
- NORM in scale inside tubulars, wellheads, separators and water handling equipment
- NORM in sludge and deposits in tanks, vessels and produced water systems
- Radon and lead-210 in gas processing plants, pipelines and propane fractions
- External and internal exposure pathways, including inhalation and ingestion of dust
- Health effects of radiation and the difference between deterministic and stochastic effects
- Dose limits for workers and the public and the ALARA principle
- Practical exercise: identifying likely NORM locations on a production facility diagram
Day3Surveys, Monitoring and Classification
- Survey instruments: dose rate meters, contamination monitors and their correct use
- Survey planning, background measurement and the recording of survey results
- Internal surveys of equipment, swab sampling and laboratory analysis of samples
- Classification of equipment, areas and waste based on contamination levels
- Personal dosimetry and the monitoring of worker exposure during NORM work
- Labelling and marking of contaminated equipment and controlled areas on the site
- Practical exercise: interpreting survey readings and classifying equipment and waste
Day4Safe Work Practices and Decontamination
- Planning NORM work: risk assessment, permits and radiation work procedures
- Controlled and supervised areas, access control and the barrier arrangements used around NORM work
- Personal protective equipment and respiratory protection for NORM dust and sludge
- Wet methods and other techniques to minimise the release of contaminated dust
- Decontamination of equipment, tools and personnel and the release of clean items
- Contractor management and the training of workers performing NORM tasks
- Practical exercise: preparing a safe work procedure for cleaning a NORM-contaminated vessel
Day5Waste Management, Regulation and Programmes
- NORM waste types, waste minimisation and segregation from other industrial waste streams
- Packaging, labelling, interim storage and safe transport of NORM waste to approved facilities
- Disposal options and the regulatory approvals needed for each disposal route
- National and international regulations and guidance for NORM in oil and gas
- Record keeping, reporting and the elements of a NORM management programme
- Group exercise: developing a NORM management plan for an oil production facility
- Final assessment and discussion of NORM issues at participants' own operations
Dates and fees
There are no scheduled dates for this course at the moment. Request it as in-house training, or ask us about the next date.
Certificate
Every delegate who attends the full programme receives a Harfard Technology certificate of completion stating the course title, duration, dates and venue.
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