Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in formation water during oil exploration

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study is conducted, in order to contribute to a future waste management policy related to the presence of technologically enhanced natural occurring radioactive material (TENORM) in Iran petroleum industry. Samples were collected from offshore oil company for analysis of 238U, 235U, and 232Th series in produced waters. The activities of samples were determined by high-purity germanium detector, well for lowlevel activity γ-spectrometry. The results have shown that, 226Ra concentration ranges from 5.26 Bq/L to 27.93 Bq/L. Also the total activity in produced water is in the range of 16–840 Bq/L were mainly due to enhanced levels of dissolved 226Ra, 214Pb, 214Bi ions. Also, enhanced dissolution of elements such as radium by increasing of salinity, result in higher concentration of NORM in old oil region. Measured values are above EPA regulation (40 CFR 141055) & aqueous Derived Release Limit (DRL) of Canadian guideline for the management of (NORM). Therefore produced water has to dispose in pits which have to design for decrease the environmental effects. Also according to this study, re-injection of produced water in to abandon well of Iran Offshore Oil Company in Persian Gulf, have preference over discharging to the pits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Afifi EM, Awwad NS (2005) Characterization of the TE-NORM waste associated with oil and natural gas production in Abu Rudeis, Egypt. J Environ Radioact 82(1):7–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. American National Standards for Calibration & use of Germanium Spectrometers Measurement of Gamma Ray Emission (2001) ANSI N42, IEE, New York

  3. International Association of Oil & Gas Production (2002) Oil & gas exploration & production in offshore regions, guideline for environmental protection, Report No. 2.84/329, OGP

  4. International Atomic Energy Agency (2004) Radiation protection and the management of radioactive waste in the oil & gas industry, Safety Series No. 34, IAEA, Vienna

  5. Iran Ministry of Petroleum (2005) Oil & development, review of petroleum ministry function, Iran Reservoir Specifications of National Iranian Oil Company

  6. Otton K, Douglass E (2007) Effects of produced waters at oilfield production sites on the Osage Indian Reservation. Northeastern Oklahoma US Geological survey open-file report 97–98, 9th annual international petroleum environmental conference, Albuquerque, NM, and October 22–25, 2002

  7. Othman I, AL-Masri MS (2002) Characterization of NORM contaminated site at the Syrian oilfields: sampling & analysis, WM Conference, Feb 24–28

  8. Pataki G, Cahil JP (2000) Investigation of natural occurring radioactive material (NORM) in oil & gas wells in New York State, New York State Department of Environment Conservation

  9. Shawky S, Amer H, Nada AA, Abd El-Maksoud TM, Ibrahiem NM (2001) Characteristics of NORM in the oil industry from Eastern and Western deserts of Egypt. Appl Radiat Isot 55(1):135–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Smith KP, Blunt DL (1998) Potential radiological dose associated with the disposal of petroleum industry via land spreading. US Department of Energy, California

    Google Scholar 

  11. Smith KP, Blunt DL (2001) Radiological dose assessment related to management of NORM generated by the petroleum industry. US Department of Energy, Illinois

    Google Scholar 

  12. US EPA (1996) Radiochemistry test methods, Wastewater, EPA CWA, 40 CFR Part 136, Gamma Spectroscopy

  13. US EPA (1999) Radionuclide monitoring requirements, primary & secondary drinking water standard

  14. Zielinski RA, Otton JK (2003) US Geological survey naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in produced water and oil-field equipment an issue for the energy industry, US Geological Survey Fact Sheet 0142–99, Version 1.0

Download references

Acknowledgments

The corresponding author also wish to thank Mr. Ardeshiri the director of HSE Department of Petroleum Ministry of IRAN and Mr. Parviz Ardalani for the intellectual support, and also Mrs. Shooyookhi in Gamma Spectrometry Laboratory of Waste Management Department in AEOI.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Faculty of the Environmental and Energy, Science and Research Campus IAU, P.O. Box 14515-775, Tehran, Iran

    F. Moatar & E. Ardalani

  2. Petroleum University of Technology, P.O. Box 063165, Abadan, Iran

    S. R. Shadizadeh

  3. Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6153, Tehran, Iran

    A. R. Karbassi

  4. Iranian Offshore Oil Company, P.O. Box 19-395, Tehran, Iran

    R. Akbari Derakhshi

  5. Waste Management Department of AEOI, P.O. Box 14155-1339, Tehran, Iran

    M. Asadi

Authors
  1. F. Moatar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. R. Shadizadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. R. Karbassi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Ardalani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. Akbari Derakhshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Asadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Ardalani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Moatar, F., Shadizadeh, S.R., Karbassi, A.R. et al. Determination of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in formation water during oil exploration. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 283, 3–7 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0001-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0001-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation