ProTechnics, a Division of Core Laboratories LP; Discharge of Radioactive Tracers in Well Completion Fluids, 85330-85331 [2023-26915]

Download as PDF 85330 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Notices Minutes—October 2 Audit Committee Meeting and October 19 Regular Board of Directors Meeting X. Action Item: Delegation of Authority— Venue Contracts—Philadelphia (February 2025) and New Orleans (August 2025) XI. Discussion Item: November 29 Audit Committee Meeting XII. Discussion Item: Delegation of Authority—Future Venue Contracts XIII. Discussion Item: Strategic Planning Process XIV. 2024 Board Meeting Schedule XV. Management Program Background and Updates Other Reports a. 2024 Board Calendar b. 2024 Board Agenda Planner c. CFO Report i. Financials (through 9/30/23) ii. Single Invoice Approvals $100K and over iii. Vendor Payments $350K and over iv. Exceptions d. Programs Dashboard e. Housing Stability Counseling Program (HSCP) f. Strategic Plan Scorecard—FY23 Q3 PORTIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Everything except the Executive (Closed) Session. PORTIONS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: Executive (Closed) Session. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jenna Sylvester, Paralegal, (202) 568– 2560; jsylvester@nw.org. Jenna Sylvester, Paralegal. [FR Doc. 2023–27028 Filed 12–5–23; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 30–30429; NRC–2023–0202] ProTechnics, a Division of Core Laboratories LP; Discharge of Radioactive Tracers in Well Completion Fluids Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and accompanying environmental assessment (EA) for a license amendment request from ProTechnics, a division of Core Laboratories LP (ProTechnics), byproduct material license no. 42–26928–01, to authorize discharge of well completion fluids containing very small amounts of shortlived radioactive tracers in offshore waters in the U.S. Outer Continental ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:23 Dec 06, 2023 Jkt 262001 Shelf (OCS) of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Based on the analysis in the EA, the NRC staff has concluded that there would be no significant impacts on the quality of the human environment from ProTechnics’ proposed license amendment request, and therefore, a FONSI is appropriate. DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on December 7, 2023. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2023–0202 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly available information related to this document using any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2023–0202. Address questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann; telephone: 301–415–0624; email: Stacy.Schumann@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ adams.html. To begin the search, select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1–800–397–4209, at 301–415–4737, or by email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number for each document referenced (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that it is mentioned in this document. • NRC’s PDR: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies of publicly available documents, is open by appointment. To make an appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov or call 1–800–397–4209 or 301–415– 4737, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time (ET), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, telephone: 301–415– 0867; email: Jean.Trefethen@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction The NRC is considering a license application request from ProTechnics to authorize discharge of well completion fluids containing very small amounts of PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 short-lived radioactive tracers in offshore waters in the OCS of the GOM. In its license amendment request, ProTechnics stated that, in connection with well logging in the GOM, it performs single well subsurface tracer studies in established oil and gas production basins located in OCS waters. In general, all of the material that enters the formation would be retained behind a screen mesh. Only the material remaining on the well bore side of the screen mesh would be returned to the surface (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML22325A156 and ML23009B762). As required by section 51.21 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), and in light of ProTechnics’ license amendment request, the NRC staff prepared an EA that documents its independent evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the disposal of short-lived radioactive tracers in the offshore waters. Based on the analysis in the EA, the NRC staff has concluded that there would be no significant impacts on the quality of the human environment from ProTechnics’ proposed disposal methods, and therefore, the NRC is issuing a FONSI. II. Summary of Environmental Assessment Description of the Proposed Action ProTechnics is seeking a license amendment to authorize discharge of well completion fluids containing very small amounts of short-lived radioactive tracers in offshore waters in the OCS of the GOM. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The NRC staff has assessed the potential environmental impacts from ProTechnics’ disposal of short-lived radioactive tracers in the offshore waters of the GOM. The NRC staff expect the radioactive tracer beads to remain chemically inert in the GOM seawater, due to the ceramic coating on the beads. Thus, the embedded radioactive metal particles would not dissolve or leach out of the beads to combine with the seawater. Data to support this conclusion was provided with ProTechnics’ license amendment request. Additionally, the radioisotopes used have a short half-life (70 to 84 days) and therefore, would decay in a short period of time. Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action An alternative to the proposed action is the no-action alternative. Under the no-action alternative, the NRC would not grant ProTechnics’ license E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Notices amendment request for disposal of limited concentrations of short-lived radioactive tracers into offshore waters of the OCS in the GOM. In order for ProTechnics to continue supporting oil and gas drilling operations in the OCS of the GOM, it would need a license amendment to authorize retention of the tracer materials on the drilling rigs or support vessels. The retained well completion fluids containing the tracer materials would need to be transported to shore for transfer to an authorized disposal facility. The NRC staff considers that transfer and movement of the well completion fluids containing tracer material would present an increased likelihood of accidents and an increased potential for occupational and public radiological doses in comparison to the proposed action. ACTION: Agencies and Person Consulted David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NRC staff consulted with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries regarding its determination that the proposed action is not likely to adversely affect listed species or habitats. By email dated November 17, 2023, NOAA Fisheries concurred with the NRC staff’s determination. Therefore, no further consultation is required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Further, the NRC staff determined that the proposed action is not the type of activity that has the potential to cause effects on historic properties. Therefore, consistent with 36 CFR 800.3(a)(1), no consultation is required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. III. Finding of No Significant Impact The final EA is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML23334A173. Dated: December 4, 2023. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jill S. Caverly, Acting Chief, Environmental Project Management Branch 2, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, Office of Nuclear Material Safety, and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2023–26915 Filed 12–6–23; 8:45 am] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 BILLING CODE 7590–01–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2021–68; MC2024–86 and CP2024–88; MC2024–87 and CP2024–89; MC2024–88 and CP2024–90; MC2024–89 and CP2024–91] New Postal Products AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:23 Dec 06, 2023 Jkt 262001 Notice. The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing for the Commission’s consideration concerning a negotiated service agreement. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: December 8, 2023. ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Docketed Proceeding(s) I. Introduction The Commission gives notice that the Postal Service filed request(s) for the Commission to consider matters related to negotiated service agreement(s). The request(s) may propose the addition or removal of a negotiated service agreement from the Market Dominant or the Competitive product list, or the modification of an existing product currently appearing on the Market Dominant or the Competitive product list. Section II identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, the title of each Postal Service request, the request’s acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. For each request, the Commission appoints an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in the proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505 (Public Representative). Section II also establishes comment deadline(s) pertaining to each request. The public portions of the Postal Service’s request(s) can be accessed via the Commission’s website (https:// www.prc.gov). Non-public portions of the Postal Service’s request(s), if any, can be accessed through compliance with the requirements of 39 CFR 3011.301.1 1 See Docket No. RM2018–3, Order Adopting Final Rules Relating to Non-Public Information, June 27, 2018, Attachment A at 19–22 (Order No. 4679). PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 85331 The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service’s request(s) in the captioned docket(s) are consistent with the policies of title 39. For request(s) that the Postal Service states concern Market Dominant product(s), applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3622, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3030, and 39 CFR part 3040, subpart B. For request(s) that the Postal Service states concern Competitive product(s), applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3632, 39 U.S.C. 3633, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3035, and 39 CFR part 3040, subpart B. Comment deadline(s) for each request appear in section II. II. Docketed Proceeding(s) 1. Docket No(s).: CP2021–68; Filing Title: USPS Notice of Amendment to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service & Parcel Select Contract 8, Filed Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: November 30, 2023; Filing Authority: 39 CFR 3035.105; Public Representative: Arif Hafiz; Comments Due: December 8, 2023. 2. Docket No(s).: MC2024–86 and CP2024–88; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add USPS Ground Advantage Contract 7 to Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: November 30, 2023; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3040.130 through 3040.135, and 39 CFR 3035.105; Public Representative: Christopher C. Mohr; Comments Due: December 8, 2023. 3. Docket No(s).: MC2024–87 and CP2024–89; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage Contract 125 to Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: November 30, 2023; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3040.130 through 3040.135, and 39 CFR 3035.105; Public Representative: Arif Hafiz; Comments Due: December 8, 2023. 4. Docket No(s).: MC2024–88 and CP2024–90; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage Contract 126 to Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date: November 30, 2023; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3040.130 through 3040.135, and 39 CFR 3035.105; Public Representative: Arif Hafiz; Comments Due: December 8, 2023. 5. Docket No(s).: MC2024–89 and CP2024–91; Filing Title: USPS Request to Add Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage Contract 127 to Competitive E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85330-85331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26915]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 30-30429; NRC-2023-0202]


ProTechnics, a Division of Core Laboratories LP; Discharge of 
Radioactive Tracers in Well Completion Fluids

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; 
issuance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and accompanying environmental 
assessment (EA) for a license amendment request from ProTechnics, a 
division of Core Laboratories LP (ProTechnics), byproduct material 
license no. 42-26928-01, to authorize discharge of well completion 
fluids containing very small amounts of short-lived radioactive tracers 
in offshore waters in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) of the 
Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Based on the analysis in the EA, the NRC staff 
has concluded that there would be no significant impacts on the quality 
of the human environment from ProTechnics' proposed license amendment 
request, and therefore, a FONSI is appropriate.

DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on 
December 7, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2023-0202 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2023-0202. Address 
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann; 
telephone: 301-415-0624; email: [email protected]. For technical 
questions, contact the individual listed in the For Further Information 
Contact section of this document.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the 
ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS 
Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's Public 
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, at 301-415-4737, 
or by email to [email protected]. The ADAMS accession number for 
each document referenced (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the 
first time that it is mentioned in this document.
     NRC's PDR: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies 
of publicly available documents, is open by appointment. To make an 
appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to 
[email protected] or call 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, between 8 
a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time (ET), Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone: 301-415-0867; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering a license application request from 
ProTechnics to authorize discharge of well completion fluids containing 
very small amounts of short-lived radioactive tracers in offshore 
waters in the OCS of the GOM. In its license amendment request, 
ProTechnics stated that, in connection with well logging in the GOM, it 
performs single well subsurface tracer studies in established oil and 
gas production basins located in OCS waters. In general, all of the 
material that enters the formation would be retained behind a screen 
mesh. Only the material remaining on the well bore side of the screen 
mesh would be returned to the surface (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML22325A156 
and ML23009B762). As required by section 51.21 of title 10 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), and in light of ProTechnics' license 
amendment request, the NRC staff prepared an EA that documents its 
independent evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the 
disposal of short-lived radioactive tracers in the offshore waters. 
Based on the analysis in the EA, the NRC staff has concluded that there 
would be no significant impacts on the quality of the human environment 
from ProTechnics' proposed disposal methods, and therefore, the NRC is 
issuing a FONSI.

II. Summary of Environmental Assessment

Description of the Proposed Action

    ProTechnics is seeking a license amendment to authorize discharge 
of well completion fluids containing very small amounts of short-lived 
radioactive tracers in offshore waters in the OCS of the GOM.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The NRC staff has assessed the potential environmental impacts from 
ProTechnics' disposal of short-lived radioactive tracers in the 
offshore waters of the GOM. The NRC staff expect the radioactive tracer 
beads to remain chemically inert in the GOM seawater, due to the 
ceramic coating on the beads. Thus, the embedded radioactive metal 
particles would not dissolve or leach out of the beads to combine with 
the seawater. Data to support this conclusion was provided with 
ProTechnics' license amendment request. Additionally, the radioisotopes 
used have a short half-life (70 to 84 days) and therefore, would decay 
in a short period of time.

Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    An alternative to the proposed action is the no-action alternative. 
Under the no-action alternative, the NRC would not grant ProTechnics' 
license

[[Page 85331]]

amendment request for disposal of limited concentrations of short-lived 
radioactive tracers into offshore waters of the OCS in the GOM. In 
order for ProTechnics to continue supporting oil and gas drilling 
operations in the OCS of the GOM, it would need a license amendment to 
authorize retention of the tracer materials on the drilling rigs or 
support vessels. The retained well completion fluids containing the 
tracer materials would need to be transported to shore for transfer to 
an authorized disposal facility. The NRC staff considers that transfer 
and movement of the well completion fluids containing tracer material 
would present an increased likelihood of accidents and an increased 
potential for occupational and public radiological doses in comparison 
to the proposed action.

Agencies and Person Consulted

    The NRC staff consulted with National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) Fisheries regarding its determination that the 
proposed action is not likely to adversely affect listed species or 
habitats. By email dated November 17, 2023, NOAA Fisheries concurred 
with the NRC staff's determination. Therefore, no further consultation 
is required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended. Further, the NRC staff determined that the proposed action is 
not the type of activity that has the potential to cause effects on 
historic properties. Therefore, consistent with 36 CFR 800.3(a)(1), no 
consultation is required under Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    The final EA is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML23334A173.

    Dated: December 4, 2023.
    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jill S. Caverly,
Acting Chief, Environmental Project Management Branch 2, Division of 
Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety, and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2023-26915 Filed 12-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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