ASSESSMENT OF NORM LEVELS AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS FROM PETROLEUM EXTRACTION IN THE ONSHORE OIL FIELDS, EGYPT

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Radiological Science
• Geochemistry

Background:

• Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) can accumulate in petroleum industry waste.
• Assessing NORM levels is crucial for environmental and occupational safety in oil extraction.
• Previous studies have highlighted NORM concerns in various oil-producing regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify NORM (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) concentrations in samples from Egyptian oil fields.
• To evaluate radiological risks associated with NORM in crude oil, soil, water, and sludge.
• To compare measured NORM levels and derived radiological parameters against international safety standards.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 49 samples (crude oil, soil, produced water, sludge) using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry.
• Calculation of radiological parameters: radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, and annual effective dose.
• Comparison of results with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) guidelines.

Main Results:

• Average activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were determined for each sample type.
• All measured NORM levels were found to be significantly below IAEA clearance levels.
• Calculated annual effective doses for the public and workers were within ICRP safety limits.

Conclusions:

• Petroleum extraction activities in the studied Western Desert oil fields pose insignificant radiological hazards.
• The NORM levels in the analyzed samples do not present a significant risk to workers or the surrounding environment.
• The study confirms the safety of current operational practices regarding NORM management in this region.