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Session 3151

The Debate Over Land Farming Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Generated by the Oil and Gas Industry in Mississippi

Donald J. Fournier, Jr., J. Kirby White The University of Southern Mississippi

Abstract

Since 1995, regulators, landowners, environmental activists and the petroleum industry within the state of Mississippi have been engaged in a contentious debate over an industry-sponsored proposal to allow land farming as a disposal option for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) associated with the exploration and production of oil and gas. Current state regulations require that NORM associated with the exploration and production of oil and gas be disposed offsite at a licensed low level radioactive waste or NORM disposal facility, or be encapsulated and plugged in old wells meeting specified design and location criteria. The request to modify the relevant disposal rule in order to permit land farming of NORM has been met with strong opposition and legal challenges from environmental groups and affected landowners, but has recently been approved by the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board. Further challenges in the courts are likely.

Introduction

NORM associated with the exploration and production of oil and gas in Mississippi is regulated by the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board. Rule 69 defines NORM as "technologically enhanced naturally-occurring radioactive material consisting primarily of 226Ra (and daughter radiations) and 228Ra (and daughter radiations) that are derived from the exploration and production activities of oil and gas operations within the territorial area of the State of Mississippi."1 Radioactive elements which make up NORM are present in the geologic formations that bear oil and gas. When brought to the surface, these radioactive isotopes can become incorporated in pipe scale or can precipitate in sludge, creating localized concentrations of a radioactive source strong enough to require management and disposal as a radioactive waste.

In general, NORM is not restricted to oil and gas exploration and production. NORM is generated by many drilling and mining activities, including phosphate mining, metal mining, geothermal energy, coal mining, and uranium mining. NORM management and disposal is not specifically addressed by Federal regulations, however certain federal regulations do cover handling, transportation, and storage practices for NORM because it is a radioactive material. The regulation of NORM is inconsistent among different industries, and is also inconsistent from state to state. NORM associated with oil and gas exploration and production has only been found in 20 states, with the highest measurements reported in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi. Although NORM is produced by many drilling and mining activities, the debate in Mississippi centers on NORM within the oil and gas industry.

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Fournier, J. D. J., & White, J. K. (2000, June), The Debate Over Land Farming Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (Norm) Generated By The Oil And Gas Industry In Mississippi Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8260