Radiation Protection and Monitoring

Understanding Radiation & Natural Gas Development

Understanding Radiation and Natural Gas Development

How is radiation associated with gas operations?

Much of the petroleum and natural gas developed in the United States was created by the decay of ancient sea life. Naturally occurring radionuclides, which are radioactive forms of elements, and their decay products are found in various natural formations, including shale rock and gas formations, because of the origin of these sedimentary rocks and their organic content. Gas reservoirs often contain detectable amounts of radionuclides like radium-226, radium-228, and lead-210, which occur naturally in the earth. These constituents, collectively known as Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), can become what is referred to as Technologically Enhanced (TENORM) through human activities such as oil and gas production, mining, and water treatment.

Did You Know?

Every day, cosmic rays from the sun and distant stars pass through our atmosphere, contributing about 20-30 millirem a year to the average American’s radiation dose.

Where can TENORM appear in gas operation activities?

Drilling Waste

Drill cuttings from formations with elevated radioactivity have the potential to convey TENORM back to the surface.

Produced Water

Heavy Brine (or saltwater) separated from the hydrocarbons contains dissolved radionuclides.

Scale and Sludge

Deposits of radium can accumulate forming detectable levels inside pipe, tanks, and equipment when produced water flows from the well through the system.

Read the Marcellus Shale FAQ Document on NORM and TENORM

What is the typical radiation dose from exposure to typical NORM and TENORM sources?

Radiation dose is measured in millirem (mrem), which quantifies the amount of radiation absorbed by the body. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the average American receives a dose of about 620 mrem each year from a combination of natural and man-made sources of radiation. Radiation has always been around us as part of our natural environment – this includes cosmic radiation (from outer space), terrestrial radiation (from the ground), and even radiation from food, water, and the air we breathe.

The NRC Personal Annual Radiation Dose Calculator indicates the annual dose of radiation you are typically exposed to if you:

Have porcelain crowns or false teeth
0.07 mrem

Wear an LCD wristwatch
0.006 mrem

Use luggage inspection at airports
0.002 mrem

Watch TV
1 mrem

Use a video display computer terminal
1 mrem

Have a smoke detector
0.008 mrem

Wear a pacemaker
100 mrem

Have a diagnostic x-ray
40 mrem

Live within 50 miles of a coal-fired electrical utility plant
0.03 mrem

For perspective, a dose of 1 mrem results in about 1.2 minutes of reduced life expectancy – this is similar to crossing the street three times, taking three puffs on a cigarette, or consuming 10 extra calories (for a person who is overweight).

Radiation Dose Comparisons

When considering radiation doses from oil and gas operations, we can use the Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) Study by the PA Department of Environmental Protection to compare to other real-world doses, assuming workers are present during drilling, fracturing, and production phases of operations and are exposed to drill cuttings, hydraulic fracturing fluid, flowback water, and produced water.

Comparison of estimated radiation doses associated with various activities

The graphic above provides a summary of estimates of the radiation dose associated with various activities. In any given setting, the actual doses are expected to vary somewhat from the estimates provided. Even so, we can assume that the annual radiation dose resulting from driving a shale oil and gas wastewater truck is likely to be less than 1 mrem, or less than one-tenth of the dose from a single abdomen x-ray. Similarly, the annual radiation exposure to workers at a shale oil and gas well site is expected to be less than 30 mrem, or about one-quarter of the expected annual dose experienced by a resident of Albuquerque.

What does CNX do to monitor and mitigate radiation risks?

This same study determined that NORM and TENORM materials associated with the oil and gas industry are well-managed and do not present a risk to the public. The scientific consensus is that there is “little potential for significant radiological exposure to workers and members of the general public related to E&P operations. Even so, CNX applies rigorous monitoring and mitigation measures to manage radiation risks effectively. Personnel receive specialized training in radiation protection, proper handling, and proper disposal of NORM and TENORM containing waste. These practices are guided by the CNX Comprehensive Radiation Protection Plan (CRPP), in conformance with 25 PA Code 293.111 requirements.

CNX’s CRPP provides guidance for radiological monitoring, safety protocols and procedures, and regulatory requirements for personnel working at CNX locations. It provides a practical approach to radiation hazard identification and mitigation.

The CRPP outlines CNX’s best-practice approach to monitoring radiation, training workers, managing waste, and documenting and reviewing performance.

CNX’s best-practice approach includes:

Conducting routine radiation surveys of equipment, waste streams, and work areas using dose-rate and contamination meters.

Training workers on radiation hazards, ALARA principles, safe work practices, and “stop work” authority.

Classifying, handling, and disposing of NORM/TENORM containing waste at appropriately permitted facilities under state and EPA regulations.

Maintaining records, reporting any exceedances to regulators, and periodically auditing the program for continuous improvement.

CNX is committed to disclosing the findings associated with the monitoring we conduct as part of our overarching CRPP. We will disclose these findings and any actions that may result from encountering any unanticipated TENORM levels associated with our operations.

Read CNX’s Comprehensive Radiation Protection Plan Annual Self-Assessment

Radiation Monitoring

CNX has committed to strongly enhancing our Radical Transparency program by initiating ambient gamma radiation and vehicle gamma radiation monitoring programs. All site-specific radiation monitoring data is coordinated by and reviewed for quality assurance by an accredited third party, Onterris, a global environmental solutions company. Onterris’s monitoring plans are informed by decades of expertise in the design and implementation of continuous monitoring and radiological safety programs that deliver accurate, credible, field-based data.

Ambient Gamma Radiation Monitoring

The ambient monitoring program began with the ACAA4, FATUR, MAM14 and MAM15 well pads, the MORW1 aboveground storage tank pad, and the NNV1 centralized impoundment.

One ambient radiation detector is installed at each monitoring site. The continuous, real-time data collected is presented in an hourly average, which is compared to regional data collected as part of the EPA’s RadNet Program and to CNX’s monitoring thresholds that are consistent with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s defined dose limits.

Vehicle Gamma Radiation Portal Monitoring

In addition to the ambient radiation monitoring program, vehicle gamma radiation portal monitoring systems will be implemented to track applicable waste leaving CNX facilities for off-site disposal. Trucks exiting the site will be required to pass through the portal prior to departure. The portal system measures gamma radiation levels associated with each vehicle, providing a screening mechanism to identify and document radiation readings before materials leave the site.

As a truck passes through the portal, the maximum reading is collected. This data is presented as a reading in mR/hr and is compared to CNX’s monitoring thresholds that are consistent with typical PA landfill thresholds.

Quality Assurance Project Plan

Onterris has developed a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) that outlines aspects of the project, including monitoring, equipment maintenance, and data handling. This QAPP was developed following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency QAPP Guidance.

Onterris subject matter experts focus on operational integrity and consistency, with standard operating procedures and consistent trainings to ensure that team members follow these quality standards.

The data displayed in the CNX transparency tool is collected, recorded, and provided by a third party indicated as the data source and not by CNX. For many or all of the data, the data is, by its nature, considered a field estimate and as initially recorded may contain errors introduced by equipment malfunction or other inaccuracies introduced by the data provider(s). The data, as initially posted, is subject to review and quality assurance control conducted by the third party and may be corrected or otherwise edited or deemed null according to standard quality assurance/control procedures.

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