Effects of TE-NORM on Workers and Environment Within and Around Oil and Gas Production Fields

This paper intend to discuss, results of the survey of dose rate in some fields and the specific activity of some naturally occurring radioactive materials that were technologically enhanced by man activities in the area of oil and gas production. Such radioactive isotopes were originated as a result of decay of ('238U , 232Th) in crude oil samples. Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TE-NORM) presence in the environment is a well known phenomena and present within formation rocks of oil reservoirs. TE-NORM is becoming an increasing operational burden for workers of oil production companies as well as to environment around production facilities. It also starts to contaminate the production facilities such as separators, pipelines, and tanks from inside with its decayed products radioactive radium and radioactive radon gas (2'26Ra, 222Rn). Mobilization of such radioactive isotopes within produced saline water, make TE-NORM of great concern, as these naturally occurring radioactive materials, thereafter concentrated to certain level, then it will become hazardous to the environment and to the workers in the field. Thus it is necessary to measure the dose rate and predict radiation exposure to workers and public living in that area, taking into considerations implementation of Act. No. (2) of year 1982 and Act. No. (7) of year 1982 that deal with environmental safety. (Authors)