Precipitate containing norm in the oil industry: modelling and laboratory experiments.

In this work, the influence of factors that can affect the precipitate (scale) containing NORM (radium) in the oil industry is studied. From the experimental results, a mathematical model for calculating the precipitate is proposed. The statistical tests used to obtain this model show that precipitation: does not depend on the shaking velocity and contact time, depends on the temperature and mixing water ratio. Also, it depends on the interactions between temperature and mixing water ratio. The comparison of the experimental results and those obtained by the model appear to be in good agreement.

Radon concentrations in Algerian oil and gas industry.

Concentrations of 222Rn in produced water, crude oil, natural gas (NG) and natural gas liquids (NGL) in on-shore Algeria were measured using scintillation cell techniques (Lucas cells) and electret ion chamber (EIC). The first method, active, is based on the use of a Lucas-type scintillation chamber in conjunction with a portable monitor (model Pylon AB-5); the second method, passive, using an EIC with a 4 l glass analysis bottle. The activities of 222Rn were in the range of 0.98-18.50 Bq/l for produced water, 0.02-0.3 Bq/g for crude oil, 40-1000 Bq/m(3) for NG and 300-2500 Bq/m(3) for NGL, respectively. These values are compared with concentrations reported for other countries.

Assessment of radiation exposures from naturally occurring radioactive materials in the oil and gas industry.

Radioactive deposits, often referred to as naturally occurring radioactive material scale, can, because of incompatibility of formation and injection waters, be formed inside production equipment of the oil and gas industry. These scales contain mainly 226Ra and its daughter products, which can cause an exposure risk. The gamma ray dose rates, with the associated occupational doses in the oil and gas industry, and 226Ra concentration in production water, crude oil and hard/soft scale samples were determined. Results obtained are discussed and compared to those from other studies.