Nuclear Source Replacement in Petrochemical Well‐Logging

Abstract

There is concern that sealed, chemical isotope radiation sources, which are currently used in the gas/oil well logging industry, (e.g., AmBe, 252Cf, 61Co and 137Cs), can be diverted and used in radiological dispersal devices or RDD's (“dirty bombs”). Recent actions by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have reduced the availability of these sources in the United States. Alternatives, both radiological and non‐radiological, are actively being sought within the oil‐field services community. To investigate source replacement, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is developing a Radiological Source Replacement (RSR) Program. This paper summarizes several current project components of the RSR program. The projects are seeking to determine if the use of isotopic sources can potentially be further reduced and what steps are needed to engage the user community and facilitate reductions in source use. The projects are investigating enabling technologies for non‐nuclear and non‐isotope‐based well logging techniques. Isotopic source reduction requires an assessment of technical feasibility to guide both DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on potential policy updates or changes.