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PA DEP Comprehensive Oil and Gas Development Radiation Study

flow-back-water

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) released their plan to study the potential for radionuclides to be associated with exploration and production development. The April 3, 2013,  Sampling and Analysis Plan and associated QAPP describe their approach for studying naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and technically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TNORM) potential from oil and natural gas development. PA DEP’s plan will look at radionuclide levels in produced and flowback water, transportation, storage, and disposal of drilling waste, and sources of offgassing. The study is expected to take 12-14 months and will focus on the uranium and thorium natural decay chains and their progeny, including radium and radon.

Environmental Standards, Inc. provides independent oversight to exploration and production companies for their plans to evaluate these same radionuclide constituents. Environmental Standards has been providing independent QA/Chemistry oversight for over 25 years and we have extensive experience in radionuclide analysis. David Gratson, CEAC, recently gave a presentation at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Environmental Trade Fair and Conference that addressed quality assurance aspects of NORM analysis and investigations. His presentation outlined the critical parameters that need to be planned, monitored, and evaluated when performing radionuclide studies. Environmental Standards is uniquely qualified to provide independent field sampling and analytical oversight. We recognize the significant impacts to oil and gas companies if radionuclide studies are not planned and performed in a way to ensure quality at each juncture so that decisions are based on defensible realistic data.

For more information, contact Mr. Gratson in our Houston office at 281.752.9782 or dgratson@www.www.envstd.com.