Uses of radioactivity in oil and gas wells

They are transported to a well site in shielded containers, which means exposure to the public is very low, much lower than the background radiation dose in one day.

The oil and gas industry in general uses unsealed radioactive solids (powder and granular forms), liquids and gases to investigate or trace the movement of materials.

It is recommended that the radiotracer is chosen to have readily detectable radiation, appropriate chemical properties, and a half life and toxicity level that will minimize initial and residual contamination.

Typically this uses very small (50 kBq) Cobalt-60 sources and dilution factors are such that the activity concentrations will be very low in the topside plant and equipment.

[6] Federal and state regulators do not require sewage treatment plants that accept gas well wastewater to test for radioactivity.

[7] The EPA has asked the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to require community water systems in certain locations, and centralized wastewater treatment facilities to conduct testing for radionuclides.