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Safely and effectively managing NORM is mandatory for the safety of those encountering it.

Our tailored Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) solutions are designed specifically for the needs of our customers. The NORM management solutions we provide are cost effective, reduce environmental liabilities and meet or exceed regulatory compliance and OH&S requirements.

Safely and effectively managing NORM is mandatory for the safety of those encountering it. Regulated by the provincial government bodies, the handling and disposal of NORM should only be handled by a person with radiation training.

Our qualified and experienced Radiation Safety Officers (RSO) provide on-site NORM services, including:

  • NORM surveys
  • Sampling
  • Decontamination
  • NORM disposal
  • NORM awareness training

What is NORM?

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) is often found in its natural state – rocks or sand. In oil and gas production, NORM is most often seen in reservoir fluids (produced or flowback water) from a geological formation that has radioactive materials present, build up of mineral scales in pipes, sludge and contaminated filter socks and equipment.

NORM Disposal

SECURE accepts NORM at Alberta's only AEP approved Class I landfill. Located near Drayton Valley, Alberta, the Pembina Landfill accepts materials with NORM total activity levels up to 70 Bq/g. Our NORM Radiation Safety Officers and trained NORM technicians are always on-site to ensure our customers’ wastes and liabilities are safely managed.
We provide all radiological support and have the capability to handle all necessary radiological testing, waste characterization and transport.

Filter Sock Disposal

Filter socks at water disposal facilities in the oil and gas industry have been found after use to contain elevated levels of NORM, specifically Ra-226, Ra-228, and Pb-210. This is most commonly seen in shale basins where there are naturally higher levels of NORM in the reservoir fluids.

We specialize in managing filter socks based on the level of radioactivity present, including:
  • Surveying and NORM identification
  • Sampling and analysis
  • Containment
  • Disposal at an approved facility

NORM Project Services

Executing successful waste management projects is central to our delivery process. We have the capacity, capability and experience to successfully execute turnkey service offerings.

NORM Project Services include:

  • Site Assessments and Remediation
  • Surveys, Identification and Sampling
  • Analysis and testing
  • Plant turnarounds
  • On site supervision
  • NORM Packaging, transport and end disposal

SECURE's project management and operational approach are differentiated by risk mitigation, budgeting and cost control, safety, and quality management. Our experienced Radiation Safety Officers and project managers provide continuous communication with our customers throughout the duration of the project to help reduce risk, control scope and achieve the project budget and schedule.

Our NORM site assessments include NORM surveys and sampling programs with clear reporting for management and regulatory compliance purposes.

Dispatch

NORM Decontamination

Managing soils, residuals and equipment that have been impacted by NORM can be a significant challenge.

It raises questions such as:

  • How do I decide what equipment can still be used and what should be disposed of?
  • What equipment is safe to use?
  • Where can I dispose of NORM-impacted material safely and economically?

We have the expertise to effectively diagnose and manage all impacted solids, equipment, piping/tubular and debris. We help to determine what equipment can be economically decontaminated and returned to service. If the equipment is beyond its useful life and significant other repairs are required, we offer the options for safe disposal solutions.

NORM Training

Our NORM experience makes us uniquely qualified to provide specialized employee NORM training programs. Training is customized to the needs of our customers.

Typical topics include:

  • NORM awareness
  • Reducing radiation exposure and worker protection (PPE requirements)
  • NORM Detection and Instrumentation
  • Safe Work Practices
  • Managing NORM waste streams

We can also provide dosimeters, air monitoring and complete NORM radiation protection programs for your operations and field staff.

NORM Field Training

Our training is tailored to your specific NORM exposures – we can survey and sample your various work sites and provide you with the documentation and technical data to prove that you are managing and delivering appropriate NORM safety training and management procedures.

Let us help you manage your waste from collection, documentation, tracking, transportation to final safe disposal.