Projects per year
Abstract
Contaminants, including naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) of the 238-uranium and 232-thorium decay series, have been recognized as a global research priority to inform offshore petroleum infrastructure decommissioning decisions. This study aimed to characterize pipeline scale retrieved from a decommissioned subsea well tubular pipe through high-resolution elemental mapping and isotopic analysis. This was achieved by utilizing transmission electron microscopy, Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence, photostimulated luminescence autoradiography and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. The scale was identified as baryte (BaSO4) forming a dense crystalline matrix, with heterogenous texture and elongated crystals. The changing chemical and physical microenvironment within the pipe influenced the gradual growth rate of baryte over the production life of this infrastructure. A distinct compositional banding of baryte and celestine (SrSO4) bands was observed. Radioactivity attributed by the presence of radionuclides (226Ra, 228Ra) throughout the scale was strongly correlated with baryte. From the detailed scale characterization, we can infer the baryte scale gradually formed within the internals of the tubular well pipe along the duration of production (i.e., 17 years). This new knowledge and insight into the characteristics and formation of petroleum waste products will assist with decommissioning planning to mitigate potential radiological risks to marine ecosystems.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 133506 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Hazardous Materials |
Volume | 465 |
Early online date | 15 Jan 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 Mar 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright the Author(s) 2024. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.Keywords
- NORM
- Oil and gas
- Closure
- Risk assessment
- Barite
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Naturally occurring radioactive materials in offshore infrastructure: Understanding formation and characteristics of baryte scale during decommissioning planning'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Developing an ecological framework for closure of offshore petroleum structures
Cresswell, T., MacIntosh, A., Dafforn, K., Chariton, A. & Penrose, B.
1/01/20 → 26/04/23
Project: Other
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Assessing the ecological impacts of NORM-contaminated scale on marine infauna using sediment microcosms
MacIntosh, A., Dafforn, K., Penrose, B., Chariton, A. & Cresswell, T., Nov 2023, In: Chemosphere. 340, p. 1-15 15 p., 139939.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)63 Downloads (Pure) -
Threshold values for the protection of marine ecosystems from NORM in subsea oil and gas infrastructure
Koppel, D. J., Cresswell, T., MacIntosh, A., von Hellfeld, R., Hastings, A. & Higgins, S., Mar 2023, In: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 258, p. 1-12 12 p., 107093.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)52 Downloads (Pure) -
Current understanding and research needs for ecological risk assessments of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in subsea oil and gas pipelines
Koppel, D., Kho, F., Hastings, A., Crouch, D., MacIntosh, A., Cresswell, T. & Higgins, S., Jan 2022, In: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 241, p. 1-16 16 p., 106774.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile25 Citations (Scopus)197 Downloads (Pure)