Okoro, Emeka Emmanuel and Sanni, Samuel Eshorame and Emetere, Moses (2019) NORM, a Health concern to Personnel exposed to Formation Drill Cuttings – Regulation issue in Nigeria. In: International Conference on Energy and Sustainable Environment, 2019, Online.
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Abstract
During the drilling operations, formation rocks or shales drilled are removed from the wellbore as drill cuttings. These cuttings are real-time representative of the formation being drilled at that section of the wellbore, and it represents the formation of compositions and properties. Regulations for most oil well developments stipulate that the methods used for managing drill cuttings are dependent on the nature and type of drilling mud system used for the drilling operation. When the formation with these relatively high NORM contents is drilled using the drilling mud, these NORM traces are transported to the surface as drill cuttings; thus, exposing the personnel to health dangers and the immediate environment. The short and longterm health effects of NORM exposure include skin burns, harmful tissues reactions, increase the risk of lung cancer, mutation of somatic cells and leukemia. DPR has some standards and guidelines established to effectively police and regulate E&P industry activities in Nigeria. These guidelines and standards also take into consideration, the need for advanced pollution control strategies and technological treatments. However, the presence and harmful consequences of NORM in these drill cuttings are not considered in the current form of these regulations and guidelines. This study proposes the inclusion of NORM as a means of updating the already established guidelines and regulations for handling and treating these drill cuttings because they constitute the majority of the waste and toxic materials generated during drilling operations.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QC Physics T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery T Technology > TP Chemical technology |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Engineering Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Nov 2019 11:52 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Nov 2019 11:52 |
| URI: | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/12994 |
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