Day One - Main ConferenceWednesday, 9 October 2024

The session outlines the anticipated future direction of NORM/TENORM regulations in the US. A discussion of ongoing research and potential regulatory advancements to ensure continued protection of public health and the environment while fostering responsible industrial practices.

During the past several years, the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) has been working with state radiation control programs, federal agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency, to address the management and control of NORM in various industries. CRCPD incorporated international concepts of a graded approach to the regulation of NORM and developed a white paper on the topic, from which model state regulations are being developed. In addition to taking a different approach to rulemaking for NORM, CRCPD has been involved in several NORM-related activities with IAEA. These include serving on a working group to develop revised guidance on radiation protection and waste management in the oil and gas industry; involvement in several workshops on radiation protection and safety in the management of existing exposure situations and providing input on radiation safety in international trade of commodities, including NORM as well as man-made radioactive materials that are incorporated in commodities. This talk will cover all the recent updates on CRCPD activities.

Canada's commitment to modernizing its NORM/TENORM regulations signifies a continued emphasis on robust radiation protection for workers, the public, and the environment. The revised guidelines will provide a clear and comprehensive framework for responsible NORM/TENORM management across various industries. Learn how the revised framework aims to improve clarity and accessibility will facilitate effective NORM/TENORM management and ensures alignment with international best practices.

The presentation will delve into Colorado's current approach to TENORM, examining recent regulatory shifts and their impact on industries. It will explore how the state balances public and environmental health with responsible industrial practices, while identifying potential areas for future regulatory advancements in TENORM management.

An overview of the NORM theme in the oil and gas industry in Brazil, focusing on off-shore production and the main challenges in different stages of the process (generation, logistics, management and final disposal), in light of recent changes in Brazilian regulation.

NORM/TENORM and other radioactive isotopes present real challenges to generators on several fronts. Whether it’s issues with regulatory compliance, proper transport, assessing disposal options, or interfacing with regulators, the complexities can present some real challenges. This presentation will provide concrete, practical recommendations that will help you manage your most difficult waste streams. Come and learn at this fast-paced session!

Sample matrix has a significant effect on the way samples must be analyzed. The effects we will be primarily talking about are the analyses of radiological isotopes. Radiological isotopes must be chemically separated from other isotopes and with methods designed for drinking water or clean wastewater matrixes, which creates a large problem with samples from the oil and gas industry. Common matrix issues that will be discussed are high dissolved solids, metals and minerals, dissolved and undissolved organic compounds. This presentation describes some of the complexities involved in chemical separation and analysis of O&G samples.

Over the past 10+ years, many oil and gas industry companies have had to address radiation safety issues resulting from the presence of TENORM confronted on a regular basis. This has caused health and safety departments to add radiation safety to the services they provide for their workforce. Radiological safety plan components to be discussed include training, survey protocols, dose Limits and ALARA & emergency procedures.

This panel will discuss some of the challenges for Regulators and Contractors when NORM is encountered during the Plug and Abandonment (P&A) of Orphan Wells. Some of the challenges and issues discussed will be the procedure when NORM is encountered at an Orphan Well Site; who is the “Generator” especially if the NORM has never been reported to State or Federal agencies prior to being declared “Orphan”; who is responsible for reporting NORM above regulatory levels, decontaminating the well and site, and properly disposing of NORM impacted equipment and waste and what are the procedures for getting the site released for unrestricted use. Would pre & post-NORM surveys be required? If there’s no responsible NORM operator, what is the procedure for registering the generator?

In recent years, oil and gas and several other industries have faced growing concerns about radiation safety due to encountering NORM/TENORM during their operations. As a result, health and safety departments have had to include radiation safety protocols for workers. This presentation will cover key elements of radiological protection plans, including training programs for workers, protocols for conducting radiation surveys, complying with regulations, setting and adhering to dose limits (ALARA principle), emergency procedures for radiation incidents and case study on previously tackled NORM-related issues.

This presentation identifies key logistical hurdles, including regulatory compliance, transportation safety, and waste disposal practices. Through DSV own cases, the research highlights approaches and collaborative efforts aimed at perform NORM logistics.

Playing an important role in the global energy market, especially in Oil and Gas production, South America appears as a key market for NORM Management service providers and presents great opportunities with large decommissioning projects and ongoing NORM generation activities. In summary, we will discuss the efforts of the regulators, operators and solution providers to manage NORM during Oil & Gas operations.

An overview of the legal landscape for industry stakeholders with deep dive into regulatory considerations, liability, litigation and commercial transactions. This presentation will overlook into issues that arise and explore the downside of avoiding them. Some recent and legacy cases are reviewed with suggestions for avoiding litigation whenever possible.

A detailed look at the current policies and frameworks governing NORM management in Middle Eastern countries. We'll analyse how potential new regulations might impact NORM management practices. This session goes beyond the Middle East. We'll explore valuable lessons learned from other countries that can be applied to enhance NORM management practices across the region.

The session will host 6 roundtables with unique discussion topics. An industry moderator will be appointed on the day to facilitate each session, and attendees can join one session only. Discussions will run for 30 minutes, and the findings of the discussion will be summarized and presented by each moderator. Registration is free and will happen during the morning registration. The topics for roundtable discussions are as below:

• Health & safety for workers & environment
• Reforming regulations in NORM
• NORM in Oil & Gas
• Norm in water treatment
• Radiation protection in mining
• International trade of NORM