Evaluations of Radionuclides of Uranium, Thorium, and Radium Associated with211 Produced Fluids, Precipitates, and Sludges from Oil, Gas, and Oilfield Brine 211 Injection Wells in Mississippi

摘要

There is an unsurpassed lack of scientific data with respect to the211u001econcentrations and isotopic compositions of uranium, thorium, and radium in the 211u001eproduced formation fluids (brine), precipitates, and sludges generated with the 211u001eoperation of oil and gas wells in Mississippi. These radioactive elements when 211u001econtained in the formation fluids have been given the term NORM, which is an 211u001eacronym for naturally occurring radioactive materials. When they are 211u001etechnologically enhanced during oil and gas production activities resulting in 211u001ethe formation of scale (precipitates) and sludges they are termed TENORM 211u001e(technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials). As used in 211u001ethis document, NORM and TENORM will be considered equivalent terms and the 211u001eoccurrence of NORM in the oilfield will be considered the result of production 211u001eoperations. As a result of the lack of data no scientifically sound theses may be 211u001edeveloped concerning the presence of these radionuclides in the fluid brine, 211u001eprecipitate (scale), or sludge phases. Over the period of just one year, 1997 for 211u001eexample, Mississippi produced over 39,372,963,584 liters (10,402,368,186 gallons 211u001eor 247,675,433 barrels) of formation water associated with hydrocarbon production 211u001efrom 41 counties across the state.