Natural Radioactivity of Solid and Liquid Phases from Shale oil and Gas Prospecting in Pomerania

Abstract

Ionizing radiation intensity data and estimation of equivalent absorbed doses from solid and liquid samples from prospecting shale gas and oil at select sites in Pomerania are presented. Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are associated with geological formations or fluids and can be enhanced during oil and gas production. They appear in e.g. drilling cuttings, flow-back water, produced water, scale, and sludge. In this study only gamma rays were detected and their intensity was comparable to the background radiation, which is 20.0±4.6 [min ] was detected in solid residue from evaporated flow-back fluid after hydraulic fracturing. The equivalent absorbed dose from this sample was ~ 2 Sv/a, which is lower than the global average dose from 2.4 Sv/a background radiation. In this regard, workers and others in the vicinity of drilling well sites will not be exposed to external or internal ionizing radiation.

Toxicological Evaluation of Thermal Treatment of Drilling Waste from Shale Gas Exploration in Poland

“…Mixing with fly-ash, gypsum may restrain the leaching of those elements [1,25]. Earlier studies have shown that drilling waste do not pose any risk related to radioactivity [26][27][28]. Due to high content of barium sulfate, the waste may be used for preparation cement with high chemical and heat resistance and opaque to X-ray radiation.…”

Radiological Impacts of Petroleum Exploration Activities in Ras Qattara Area, North Western Desert, Egypt.

“…Naturally occurring radioactive materials may be enhanced above NORM levels due to a number of human activities such as petroleum explorations, mining, fertilizer production, iron and steel production, extraction of coal, building materials industry and (uranium and thorium) mining etc [4]. Petroleum explorations cause NORM to be accumulated and elevated up NORM levels during drilling and processing of petroleum [5,6,7]. The uncontrolled release of radioactive material due to petroleum exploration may pollute the environment represents potential environmental and health risks to the worker if not properly handled [4].…”