Encompassing Health Protection in Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Upstream

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) are present at varying concentrations in the earth's crust in all geographical areas and consequently is present in natural concentrations in oil and gas reservoirs during upstream operations of exploration and production. Radioactive materials such as Uranium and Thorium were incorporated in the Earth's crust when it was formed, these normally exist at trace concentrations in rock formations. Decay of these unstable radioactive elements produces other radionuclides that under certain conditions, depending upon pressure, temperature, acidity etc., in the surface environment are mobile and can be transported from the reservoir to the surface with the oil and gas products being recovered. (Ref. 1). Being an Upstream company, the objective of this paper is to present ADNOC Onshore's adoption of appropriate controls in various stages of exploration and production where NORM may be present to reduce or avoid radiation exposure posing a risk to human health.