Risk-based Marine Impact Assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) and Mercury from Decommissioning Oil and Gas Infrastructure

Project 2.3/2.4

Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre (CUOGIC) with the University of Aberdeen

Q2 2022

While naturally occurring, oil and gas production can concentrate Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials and Mercury between wellhead and along a pipeline route. This project seeks to understand how different decommissioning options might affect the release of NORMs and Mercury and the potential risk of effects on marine life.

 

The project’s aim is to enhance understanding of the risks of NORMs and Mercury to marine environment from oil and gas infrastructure under various decommissioning scenarios.

• Undertake a desktop study to consolidate the state of knowledge on protective standards and impact of NORMs and Mercury exposure on the marine environment at various concentrations.
• Determine applicable standards and guidelines for identification and measurement of NORM and mercury types and quantities.
• Understanding of NORM and mercury location, concentration, speciation, mobility and risk in marine receptors, considering various decommissioning scenarios.
• Risk-based marine environmental impact assessment of NORM and mercury from oil and gas infrastructure under various decommissioning scenarios.

Current understanding and research needs for ecological risk assessments of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in subsea oil and gas pipelines. Read more here

Current Understanding of the Ecological Risk of Mercury from Subsea Oil and Gas Infrastructure to Marine Ecosystems. Read more here

Risk Based Marine Impact Assessment of NORM and Hg from Decommissioning Oil & Gas Infrastructure Summary Report

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Risk Based Marine Impact Assessment of NORM and Hg from Decommissioning Oil & Gas Infrastructure – Literature Review

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