Integrated Monitoring of Radon and NORM Scale for HSE: Case Study of Well Surveillance

Abstract

Abstract Processes of oil production, gathering, transportation are some times accompanied by scaling of radioactive materials (NORM). As an integrated approach to identify the Radon and NORM scale as flow assurance issue, a campaign of Radon monitoring, Barium and Strontium ion analysis from produced water potential lead to NORM scale have been conducted starting from well testing and in both onplot-offplot of the oil gathering station. Chemical composition of NORM scales strongly depend on chemical composition of produced waters. Presence of considerable amount of radioactive materials on technological equipment during production and treatment of oil, and gas may lead to personnel irradiation exceeding allowable levels and creates potential hazard to environmental pollution. The role of radon and its decay products in pollution of environment and internal personnel irradiation was not practically studied. Liberation of radon with decay products from scales and their entry into atmosphere may lead to radioactive pollution of environment, which increases the risk of internal personnel irradiation. This technical paper explained how to monitor effectively potential NORM and the intensity of radon accumulation in X field Petroleum Development Oman. During well testing or intervention, the equipment of wells radiobarite precipitates on impellers of electric centrifugal pumps, tubing inside surface in the form of white films with yellowish tint. Thickness of scales on tubing surface achieves 3 mm. In long-run operation radiobarite in electric centrifugal pump is able to clogging up. As a result of this well surveillance, Radon, Barium and Strontium analysis from produced water are really helpful in predicting NORM potential.