Texas Administrative Code
Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES
Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Chapter 289 - RADIATION CONTROL
Subchapter F - LICENSE REGULATIONS
Section 289.253 - Radiation Safety Requirements for Well Logging Service Operations and Tracer Studies
Universal Citation: 25 TX Admin Code ยง 289.253
Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) Purpose. This section establishes radiation safety requirements for persons using sources of radiation for well logging service operations, including radioactive markers, mineral exploration and tracer studies.
(b) Scope. This section applies to all persons who use sources of radiation for well logging service operations, radioactive markers, mineral exploration and tracer studies. In addition to the requirements of this section, persons are subject to the requirements of § 289.201 of this title (relating to General Provisions for Radioactive Material), § 289.202 of this title (relating to Standards for Protection Against Radiation from Radioactive Materials), § 289.203 of this title (relating to Notices, Instructions, and Reports to Workers; Inspections), § 289.204 of this title (relating to Fees for Certificates of Registration, Radioactive Material Licenses, Emergency Planning and Implementation, and Other Regulatory Services), § 289.205 of this title (relating to Hearing and Enforcement Procedures), § 289.226 of this title (relating to Registration of Radiation Machine Use and Services), § 289.229 of this title (relating to Radiation Safety Requirements for Accelerators, Therapeutic Radiation Machines, Simulators, and Electronic Brachytherapy Devices), § 289.231 of this title (relating to General Provisions and Standards for Protection Against Machine-Produced Radiation), § 289.252 of this title (relating to Licensing of Radioactive Material), and § 289.257 of this title (relating to Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material).
(c) Definitions. The following words and terms when used in this section shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Energy compensation source (ECS)--A small
sealed source with an activity not exceeding 100 microcuries (µCi) (3.7
megabecquerel (MBq)), used within a logging tool or other tool component, to
provide a reference standard to maintain the tool's calibration when in
use.
(2) Field station (additional
authorized use/storage location)--A facility where sources of radiation may be
stored or used and from which equipment is dispatched to temporary job
sites.
(3) Injection tool--A device
used for subsurface or downhole controlled injection of radioactive tracer
material.
(4) Logging assistant
(equipment operator)--Any individual who, under the personal supervision of a
logging supervisor, handles sealed sources or tracers that are not in logging
tools or shipping containers or who performs surveys required by subsection
(bb) of this section.
(5) Logging
supervisor (field engineer)--The individual who provides personal supervision
of the use of sources of radiation at temporary job sites.
(6) Logging tool--A device used subsurface to
perform well logging.
(7) Mineral
logging--Any logging performed for the purpose of mineral exploration other
than oil or gas.
(8) Personal
supervision--Guidance and instruction by the supervisor, who is physically
present at the job site and in such proximity that visual contact can be
maintained and immediate assistance given as required.
(9) Radiation safety officer--An individual
named by the licensee or registrant and listed on the license or certificate of
registration who has a knowledge of, responsibility for, and authority to
enforce appropriate radiation protection rules, standards, and practices on
behalf of the licensee and/or registrant, and who meets the requirements of
subsection (s) of this section.
(10) Radioactive marker--Radioactive material
placed subsurface or upon a structure intended for subsurface use for the
purpose of depth determination or direction orientation.
(11) Residential location--Any area where
structures in which people lodge or live are located, and the grounds on which
these structures are located including, but not limited to, houses, apartments,
condominiums, and garages.
(12)
Screenout--A situation in which radioactive tracer material is reversed out of
an oil or gas well (well returns).
(13) Service company--Any contracted or
subcontracted company that is present at the temporary job site, specifically,
that company to which the licensee's equipment is connected and that is exposed
to radioactive material.
(14)
Source holder--A housing or assembly into which a radioactive source is placed
for the purpose of facilitating the handling and use of the source.
(15) Storage container--A container designed
to provide radiation safety and security when sources of radiation are being
stored.
(16) Temporary job site--A
location where well logging or tracer studies are performed other than the
specific location(s) listed on a license or certificate of
registration.
(17) Tracer
study--The release of a substance tagged with radioactive material for the
purpose of tracing the movement or position of the tagged substance in the
wellbore, at the wellhead, or adjacent formation.
(18) Transport container--A container that
meets the requirements of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT)
and is designed to provide radiation safety and security when sources of
radiation are being transported.
(19) Tritium neutron generator target
source--A tritium source used within a neutron generator tube to produce
neutrons for use in well logging applications.
(20) Uranium sinker bar--A weight containing
depleted uranium used to aid in the descent of a logging tool down toward the
bottom of a wellbore.
(21)
Wellbore--A drilled hole in which wireline service operations are
performed.
(22) Well logging--All
operations involving the lowering and raising of measuring devices or logging
tools (that may or may not contain sources of radiation) into wellbores or
cavities for the purpose of obtaining information about the well and/or
adjacent formations.
(23)
Wireline--An armored steel cable, containing one or more electrical conductors,
used to lower and raise logging tools in the wellbore.
(24) Wireline service operation--Any
mechanical or electronic service that is performed in the wellbore using
devices that are lowered into the well on a wireline for purposes of
evaluation.
(d) Specific licenses for well logging.
(1) The applicant
shall satisfy the general requirements specified in this subsection and in
§
289.252(e)
of this title.
(2) The applicant
shall develop a program for training logging supervisors and logging assistants
and submit to the agency a description of this program which specifies the:
(A) initial training;
(B) on-the-job training;
(C) annual safety reviews provided by the
licensee;
(D) means the applicant
will use to demonstrate the logging supervisor's knowledge and understanding of
and ability to comply with the agency's regulations and licensing requirements
and the applicant's operating and emergency procedures; and
(E) means the applicant will use to
demonstrate the logging assistant's knowledge and understanding of and ability
to comply with the applicant's operating and emergency procedures.
(3) The applicant shall submit to
the agency written operating and emergency procedures as described in
subsection (ee)(4) of this section.
(4) The applicant shall establish and submit
to the agency its program for annual inspections of the job performance of each
logging supervisor to ensure that the agency's regulations, license
requirements, and the applicant's operating and emergency procedures are
followed. Inspection records must be retained for 3 years after each annual
internal inspection.
(5) The
applicant shall submit a description of its overall organizational structure as
it applies to the radiation safety responsibilities in well logging, including
specified delegations of authority and responsibility.
(6) If an applicant wants to perform leak
testing of sealed sources, the applicant shall identify the manufacturers and
the model numbers of the leak test kits to be used. If the applicant wants to
analyze its own wipe samples, the applicant shall establish procedures to be
followed and submit a description of these procedures to the agency. The
description must include the:
(A) instruments
to be used;
(B) methods of
performing the analysis; and
(C)
pertinent experience of the person who will analyze the wipe samples.
(e) Prohibitions.
(1) No licensee shall perform well logging
service operations with a sealed source(s) in any well or wellbore unless,
prior to commencement of the operation, the licensee has a written agreement
with the well operator, well owner, drilling contractor, or land owner that
specifies who will be responsible for ensuring the following requirements are
met:
(A) a reasonable effort at recovery will
be made in the event a sealed source is lost or lodged downhole;
(B) a person shall not attempt to recover a
sealed source in a manner that, in the licensee's opinion, could result in a
source rupture;
(C) in the event
the environment, any equipment, or personnel are contaminated with radioactive
material, decontamination to levels specified in §289.202(f), (n), and
(eee) of this title shall be performed; and
(D) the requirements of subsection (dd)(4) of
this section shall be met in the event a decision is made to abandon the sealed
source downhole.
(2) No
licensee shall perform tracer study operations with a substance tagged with
radioactive material in any well or wellbore unless, prior to commencement of
the operation, the licensee has a written agreement with the well operator,
well owner, drilling contractor or land owner, and the service company to which
the licensee's equipment is connected, as applicable, that specifies who will
be responsible for ensuring the following requirements are met:
(A) in the event the service company's
personnel or equipment are contaminated with radioactive material, they shall
be decontaminated in accordance with §
289.202(n)
or (ddd) of this title before release from
the job site or release for unrestricted use, respectively;
(B) in the event the well head or job site is
contaminated with radioactive material, it shall be decontaminated in
accordance with §
289.202(ddd)
of this title; and
(C) in the event
radioactive material is to be reversed from the well or the well screens out,
the licensee shall have established procedures and equipment or facilities to
do the following:
(i) reverse material into a
preconstructed steel or lined pit that is specifically established in the event
of a screen out; or
(ii) reverse
material into suitable transport container(s) in the event of a screen
out.
(3) The
licensee shall maintain, in accordance with subsection (ee)(5) of this section,
a copy of the written agreement specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of this
subsection.
(f) Limits on levels of radiation. Sources of radiation shall be used, stored, and transported in such a manner that the requirements of § 289.202 of this title, § 289.231 of this title, and § 289.257 of this title, as applicable, are met.
(g) Storage precautions.
(1) Each source of radiation, except
accelerators, shall be provided with a storage and/or transport container. Each
container shall have a lock (or tamper seal for calibration sources) to prevent
unauthorized removal of, or exposure to, the source of radiation.
(2) Each area or room in which sources of
radiation are stored shall be posted in accordance with §
289.202(aa)(5)
or §
289.231(x)
of this title, as applicable.
(3)
Sources of radiation, except accelerators, shall be stored downhole or in a
bunker in order to minimize the danger from explosion and/or fire.
(4) Sources of radiation may not be stored in
residential locations. This section does not apply to storage of radioactive
material in a vehicle in transit for use at temporary job sites, if the
licensee complies with subsection (bb)(2) of this section.
(5) Sources of radiation in storage shall be
secured to prevent tampering, or removal by unauthorized individuals.
(h) Transport precautions. Transport containers shall be locked and physically secured to the transporting vehicle to prevent shifting during transport, accidental loss, tampering, or unauthorized removal.
(i) Radiation survey instruments.
(1) The
licensee or registrant shall maintain a sufficient number of calibrated and
operable radiation survey instruments at each location where sources of
radiation are stored or used to make physical radiation surveys as required by
this section and by §289.202(p) or §289.231(s), of this title, as
applicable. Instrumentation shall be capable of measuring 0.1 milliroentgen per
hour (mR/hr) (1 microsievert per hour (µSv/hr)) through at least 50 mR/hr
(500 µSv/hr). (Instrumentation capable of measuring 0.1 mR/hr (1
µSv/hr) through 50 mR/hr (500 µSv/hr) may not be sufficient to
determine compliance with DOT requirements.)
(2) A licensee using tracer material shall
have available at each additional authorized use/storage location and temporary
job site additional calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments
sensitive enough to detect the radioactive surface contamination limits
specified in §
289.202(eee)
of this title.
(3) Each radiation
survey instrument capable of detecting beta and gamma radiation shall be
calibrated:
(A) by a person specifically
licensed or registered by the agency, another agreement state or the United
States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to perform such service;
(B) at intervals not to exceed six months and
after each survey instrument repair;
(C) for the types of radiation used and at
energies appropriate for use; and
(D) at an accuracy within ±20% of the
true radiation level at each calibration point.
(4) The licensee or registrant shall maintain
calibration records in accordance with subsection (ee)(5) of this
section.
(j) Leak testing of sealed sources.
(1) Testing and
record keeping. Sealed sources shall be tested for leakage and contamination in
accordance with this section and §
289.201(g)
of this title. The licensee shall maintain records of leak tests in accordance
with subsection (ee)(5) of this section.
(2) Each energy compensation source that is
not exempt from testing in accordance with §
289.201(g)(2)
of this title shall be tested at intervals not to exceed three years. In the
absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the
three years before the transfer, the energy compensation source may not be used
until tested in accordance with §
289.201(g)
of this title.
(3) If a sealed
source is found to be leaking in accordance with §
289.201(g)
of this title, the licensee shall check the equipment associated with the
leaking source for radioactive contamination and, if contaminated, have it
decontaminated or disposed of by persons specifically authorized by the agency,
the NRC, or an agreement state, to perform such services.
(k) Quarterly inventory. Each licensee or registrant shall conduct a physical inventory to account for all sources of radiation received or possessed at intervals not to exceed three months. The licensee or registrant shall make and maintain records of inventories in accordance with subsection (ee)(5) of this section and shall include the following:
(1) the quantities and kinds of
sources of radiation;
(2) the
location where sources of radiation are assigned;
(3) a unique identification of each source of
radiation;
(4) the date of the
inventory; and
(5) the name of the
individual conducting the inventory.
(l) Utilization records. Utilization records shall be maintained by each licensee or registrant in accordance with subsection (ee)(5) of this section and shall include the following information for each source of radiation:
(1)
identification of each source of radiation to include:
(A) the make and model number and/or serial
number (or if absent, a description) of each sealed source used; or
(B) the radionuclide and activity of tracer
materials and radioactive markers used at a particular well site and the
disposition of any unused tracer materials.
(2) the identity of the logging supervisor or
individual who is responsible for receiving sources of radiation, to whom
assigned; and
(3) the locations
where used and dates of use.
(m) Design and performance criteria for sealed sources used in well logging operations.
(1) Each sealed source used in well logging
applications shall meet the following minimum criteria.
(A) The sealed source is of doubly
encapsulated construction.
(B) The
sealed source contains radioactive material with a chemical/physical form as
insoluble and nondispersible as practicable.
(C) The sealed source meets one of the
following requirements:
(i) for a sealed
source manufactured on or before July 14, 1989, the requirements from the
United States of America Standards Institute (USASI) N5.10-1968,
"Classification of Sealed Radioactive Sources," or the requirements in clause
(ii) or (iii) of this subparagraph;
(ii) for a sealed source manufactured after
July 14, 1989, the oil-well logging requirements from the American National
Standards Institute/Health Physics Society (ANSI/HPS) N43.6-1997, "Sealed
Radioactive Sources-Classification;" or
(iii) for a sealed source manufactured after
July 14, 1989, the sealed source's prototype has been tested and found to
maintain its integrity after each of the following tests:
(I) Temperature. The test source shall be
held at -40 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes, 600 degrees Celsius for one hour,
and then be subjected to a thermal shock test with a temperature drop from 600
degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius within 15 seconds.
(II) Impact. A 5 kilogram (kg) steel hammer,
2.5 centimeters (cm) in diameter, shall be dropped from a height of 1 meter (m)
onto the test source.
(III)
Vibration. The test source shall be subjected to a vibration from 25 Hertz (Hz)
to 500 Hz with a peak amplitude of five times the acceleration of gravity for
30 minutes.
(IV) Puncture. A 1 gram
(gm) hammer and pin, 0.3 cm pin diameter, shall be dropped from a height of 1 m
onto the test source.
(V) Pressure.
The test source shall be subjected to an external pressure of 24,600 pounds per
square inch absolute (1.695 x 107 pascals) without leakage.
(2) The
requirements in paragraph (1) of this subsection do not apply to sealed sources
that contain radioactive material in gaseous form.
(3) The requirements in this subsection do
not apply to energy compensation sources.
(n) Labeling.
(1) Each source, source holder, or logging
tool containing radioactive material in other than an exempt quantity, shall
bear a durable, legible, and clearly visible marking or label that has, as a
minimum, the standard radiation caution symbol with no color requirement, and
the wording DANGER (or CAUTION), RADIOACTIVE--DO NOT HANDLE, NOTIFY CIVIL
AUTHORITIES (OR NAME OF COMPANY).
(2) The labeling specified in paragraph (1)
of this subsection shall be on the smallest component, source, source holder,
or logging tool that is transported as a separate piece of equipment.
(3) Each transport container shall have
permanently attached to it a durable, legible, and clearly visible label that
has, as a minimum, the standard radiation caution symbol and the wording DANGER
(or CAUTION), RADIOACTIVE, NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES (OR NAME OF
COMPANY).
(4) Each transport
container shall have attached to it a durable, legible, and clearly visible
label(s) that has, as a minimum, the licensee's name, address, and telephone
number, the radionuclide, its activity, and assay date.
(o) Inspection and maintenance.
(1) Each licensee or registrant shall
conduct, at intervals not to exceed six months, a program of visual inspection
and maintenance of source holders (or sealed source, if there is no source
holder), logging tools, source handling tools, storage containers, transport
containers, and injection tools to assure proper labeling and physical
condition. The inspection program may be performed concurrently with routine
leak testing of sealed sources. Records of inspection and maintenance shall be
made and maintained by the licensee or registrant in accordance with subsection
(ee)(5) of this section.
(2) If any
inspection conducted in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection
reveals damage to labeling or components critical to radiation safety, the
device shall be removed from service at the time the damage is discovered and
until repairs have been made.
(3)
Any operation, such as drilling, cutting, or chiseling on a source holder
containing a sealed source, shall be performed on the source holder only by
persons specifically licensed to do so by the agency, another agreement state,
or the NRC. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to logging tool
recovery (fishing) operations conducted in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (dd)(4) of this section.
(4) The repair, opening, or modification of
any sealed source shall be performed only by persons specifically licensed to
do so by the agency, another agreement or licensing state, or the
NRC.
(p) Training requirements.
(1) No licensee or registrant
shall permit any individual to act as a logging supervisor until such
individual has met the following requirements:
(A) successfully completed an agency-accepted
course or a course recognized by another agreement state, or the NRC, including
at least 24 hours of formal training in the subjects outlined in subsection
(ee)(1) of this section;
(B)
received copies of and instruction in the following:
(i) the requirements contained in this
section and the applicable subsections of §§
289.201,
289.202,
289.203,
and
289.231
of this title or their equivalent;
(ii) the conditions of the appropriate
license or certificate of registration; and
(iii) the licensee's or registrant's
operating, safety, and emergency procedures;
(C) demonstrated understanding of the
requirements in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph by successfully
completing a written examination administered by the licensee or
registrant;
(D) completed two
months of on-the-job training under the supervision of a logging supervisor;
and
(E) demonstrated through a
field evaluation, competence in the use of sources of radiation, related
handling tools, and the type of radiation survey instruments that will be used
in the job assignment.
(2) No licensee or registrant shall permit
any individual to act as a logging assistant until such individual has met the
following requirements:
(A) received copies
of and instruction in the applicable subsections of §§
289.201,
289.202,
289.203,
and
289.231
of this title or their equivalent, and the licensee's or registrant's
operating, safety, and emergency procedures;
(B) demonstrated understanding of the
requirements in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph by successfully completing a
written examination administered by the licensee or registrant; and
(C) demonstrated competence to use, under the
personal supervision of the logging supervisor, the sources of radiation,
related handling tools, and radiation survey instruments that will be used in
the job assignment.
(3)
The licensee or registrant shall provide an annual radiation safety review for
logging supervisors and logging assistants.
(4) Each licensee or registrant shall
maintain records that document that the requirements of paragraphs (1) - (3) of
this subsection are met. Such records shall be maintained in accordance with
subsection (ee)(5) of this section.
(q) Operating, safety, and emergency procedures. The licensee or registrant shall maintain written operating, safety, and emergency procedures that include descriptions of and directions in at least the items listed in subsection (ee)(4) of this section.
(r) Personnel monitoring.
(1) In addition to the requirements of §
289.202(p)(4)
and (q) of this title or §
289.231(n)
and (s)(3) of this title, as applicable, no
licensee or registrant shall permit any individual to act as a logging
supervisor or logging assistant unless that individual wears an individual
monitoring device that is processed and evaluated by an accredited National
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) processor, at all times
during well logging service operations and/or tracer studies utilizing sources
of radiation. Each individual monitoring device shall be assigned to and worn
by only one individual. Film badges shall be replaced at least monthly. Other
individual monitoring devices shall be replaced at least quarterly. After
replacement, each individual monitoring device shall be returned to the
supplier for processing within 14 calendar days or as soon as practicable. In
circumstances that make it impossible to return each individual monitoring
device to the supplier for processing within 14 calendar days, such
circumstances shall be documented and available for review by the
agency.
(2) When necessary in order
to aid in determining the extent of an individual's exposure to concentrations
of radioactive material, the agency may require a licensee or registrant to
make available to the individual appropriate bioassay services and to furnish a
copy of the reports of such services to the agency.
(3) Personnel monitoring records shall be
maintained by the licensee or registrant in accordance with subsection (ee)(5)
of this section.
(s) Radiation safety officer.
(1) A radiation
safety officer (RSO) shall be designated for every license and certificate of
registration issued by the agency.
(2) The RSO's documented qualifications shall
include:
(A) possession of a high school
diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency based on the GED
test;
(B) completion of the
training and testing requirements of subsection (o)(1) of this section;
and
(C) two years of experience as
a logging supervisor to include knowledge of well logging service operations
and tracer studies.
(3)
The duties of the RSO include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) establishing and overseeing operating,
safety, and emergency, and as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) procedures,
and to review them regularly to ensure that the procedures are current and
conform with this chapter;
(B)
overseeing and approving all phases of the training program for well logging
service operations and/or tracer studies personnel so that appropriate and
effective radiation protection practices are taught;
(C) ensuring that required radiation surveys
and leak tests are performed and documented in accordance with this chapter,
including any corrective measures when levels of radiation exceed established
limits;
(D) ensuring that personnel
monitoring is used properly by occupationally-exposed personnel, that records
are kept of the monitoring results, and that timely notifications are made as
required by §
289.203
of this title;
(E) investigating
and reporting to the agency each known or suspected case of radiation exposure
to an individual or radiation level detected in excess of limits established by
this chapter and each theft or loss of source(s) of radiation, to determine the
cause, and to take steps to prevent its recurrence;
(F) having a thorough knowledge of management
policies and administrative procedures of the licensee or registrant;
(G) assuming control and having the authority
to institute corrective actions including shutdown of operations when necessary
in emergency situations or unsafe conditions;
(H) maintaining records as required by this
chapter (see subsection (ee)(5) of this section);
(I) ensuring the proper storing, labeling,
transport, and use of sources of radiation, storage, and/or transport
containers;
(J) ensuring that
inventories are performed in accordance with subsection (k) of this
section;
(K) ensuring that
personnel are complying with this chapter, the conditions of the license or the
registration, and the operating, safety, and emergency procedures of the
licensee or registrant; and
(L)
serving as the primary contact with the agency.
(t) Security.
(1) A logging supervisor must be physically
present at a temporary jobsite whenever radioactive material is being handled
or is not stored and locked in a vehicle or storage place. The logging
supervisor may leave the jobsite in order to obtain assistance if a sealed
source becomes lodged in a well.
(2) During well logging, except when sealed
sources are below ground or in shipping or storage containers, the logging
supervisor or other individual designated by the logging supervisor shall
maintain direct surveillance of the operation to prevent unauthorized entry
into a restricted area, as defined in §
289.201(b)
of this title, or §
289.231(c)
of this title, as applicable.
(u) Handling tools. The licensee shall provide and require the use of tools that will assure remote handling of sealed sources other than low activity calibration sources.
(v) Tracer studies.
(1) Appropriate protective clothing and
equipment shall be used by all personnel handling radioactive tracer material.
Precautions shall be taken to avoid ingestion or inhalation of radioactive
material and to avoid contamination of field stations, temporary job sites,
vehicles, associated equipment, and clothing.
(2) No licensee shall permit the injection of
radioactive material into usable quality groundwater (3,000 parts per million
(ppm) total dissolved solids or less) without prior written authorization from
the agency.
(3) The well operator
shall contact the licensee when a decision is made to reverse the radioactive
tracer material out of a well. The licensee shall be on site and present at the
well when radioactive tracer material is reversed out of a well.
(w) Particle accelerators. No licensee or registrant shall permit above-ground testing of particle accelerators that results in the production of radiation except in areas or facilities controlled or shielded to meet the requirements of § 289.202(f) or (n) of this title, or § 289.231(m) or (o) of this title, as applicable.
(x) Radioactive markers. The licensee may use radioactive markers in wells only if the individual markers contain quantities of radioactive material not exceeding the quantities specified in § 289.251(l)(2) of this title. The use of markers is subject only to the provisions of this subsection and subsection (k) of this section.
(y) Uranium sinker bars. The licensee may use a depleted uranium sinker bar in well logging service operations only if it is legibly impressed with the wording "DANGER (or CAUTION), RADIOACTIVE-DEPLETED URANIUM, NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES (OR NAME OF COMPANY) IF FOUND."
(z) Energy compensation source.
(1) The licensee may use an energy
compensation source that is contained within a logging tool or other tool
components.
(2) For well logging
applications with a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers, use of
the ECS is only subject to the requirements of subsections (j), (k), and (l) of
this section.
(3) For well logging
applications without a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers, use
of the ECS is only subject to the requirements of subsections (e), (j), (k),
(l), (cc)(4) and (dd) of this section.
(aa) Tritium neutron generator target source.
(1) Use of a tritium neutron generator target
source, containing quantities not exceeding 30 curies (Ci) (1,110
gigabecquerels (GBq)) and in a well with a surface casing to protect fresh
water aquifers, is subject to the requirements of this section, except
subsections (e), (m), and (dd) of this section.
(2) Use of a tritium neutron generator target
source, containing quantities exceeding 30 Ci (1,110 GBq) or in a well without
a surface casing to protect fresh water aquifers, is subject to the
requirements of this section, except subsection (m) of this section.
(bb) Radiation surveys.
(1) Radiation surveys (and calculations for
neutron sources) shall be made and recorded for each area where radioactive
materials are stored.
(2) Radiation
surveys (and calculations for neutron sources) of the radiation levels in
occupied positions and on the exterior of each vehicle used to transport
radioactive materials shall be made and recorded. Such surveys (and
calculations for neutron sources) shall include all sources of radiation
transported in the vehicle.
(3) If
the sealed source assembly is removed from the logging tool before departing
the job site, a survey of the tool to verify that the logging tool is free of
contamination shall be made and recorded.
(4) If the encapsulation of the sealed source
has been damaged by an operation or is likely to have been damaged by an
operation, the licensee shall immediately conduct a radiation survey and make a
record of that survey, including a contamination survey, during and after the
operation.
(5) Radiation surveys
shall be made and recorded at the job site and/or well head for each tracer
operation except for those utilizing hydrogen-3, carbon-14, sulfur-35, or
krypton-85. These surveys shall include measurements of radiation levels before
and after the operation.
(6)
Records required in accordance with paragraphs (1) - (5) of this subsection
shall also include the dates, the identification of individual(s) making the
survey, the unique identification of survey instrument(s) used, radiation
measurements in milliroentgen per hour (mR/hr), calculations in millirem per
hour (mrem/hr) (microsievert per hour (µSv/hr)), and an exact description
of the location of the survey. Each licensee or registrant shall make and
maintain records of these surveys in accordance with subsection (ee)(5) of this
section.
(cc) Records/documents for inspection by the agency.
(1) Each licensee or registrant shall
maintain the records/documents specified in subsection (ee)(5) of this section
for inspection by the agency.
(2)
Each licensee or registrant maintaining additional authorized use/storage
locations from which well logging service operations are conducted shall have
copies of the records/documents specified in subsection (ee)(5)(B) - (E) and
(G) - (O) of this section that are specific to the site available at each site
for inspection by the agency.
(3)
Records/documents required in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection
shall be maintained in accordance with subsection (ee)(5) of this
section.
(4) Each licensee or
registrant conducting well logging service operations at a temporary job site
shall have copies of the records/documents specified in subsection (ee)(5)(B),
(C), (I), (K), (L), and (N) of this section available at that site for
inspection by the agency.
(5)
Records/documents required by paragraph (4) of this subsection shall be
maintained at the temporary job site for the period of operation at that site
for inspection by the agency.
(dd) Notification of incidents and lost sources; abandonment procedures for irretrievable sources.
(1) Notification of incidents and sources
lost in other than downhole well logging operations shall be made in accordance
with appropriate provisions of §
289.202
of this title, or §
289.231
of this title, as applicable.
(2)
Whenever a sealed source or a device containing radioactive material has been
ruptured or is likely to have been ruptured, the licensee shall notify the
agency immediately by telephone and submit written notification within 30 days.
The written notification shall designate the following:
(A) the well or other location;
(B) a description of the magnitude and extent
of the escape of radioactive material;
(C) an assessment of the consequences of the
rupture; and
(D) an explanation of
the efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.
(3) Whenever a sealed source is
separated from the logging tool and is lost downhole, the licensee shall notify
the agency immediately by telephone prior to beginning source recovery
operations.
(4) Whenever a sealed
source or device containing radioactive material is lost downhole, the licensee
shall do the following:
(A) consult with the
well operator, well owner, drilling contractor, or land owner regarding methods
to retrieve the source or device that may reduce the likelihood that the source
or device will be damaged or ruptured during the logging tool recovery
(fishing) operations;
(B) monitor
with a radiation survey instrument (or logging tool adjusted to detect gamma
emissions from source(s) lost downhole), at the surface for the presence of
radioactive contamination during logging tool recovery (fishing) operations;
and
(C) notify the agency
immediately by telephone and submit written notification within 30 days if
radioactive contamination is detected at the surface or if the source appears
to be damaged.
(5) When
efforts to recover the radioactive source are not successful, the licensee
shall do the following:
(A) notify the agency
by telephone of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve
the source and obtain agency approval to implement abandonment procedures, or
that the licensee implemented abandonment before receiving agency approval
because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health
and safety; and
(B) advise the well
operator of the Railroad Commission of Texas requirements regarding abandonment
and an appropriate method of abandonment, that shall include the following:
(i) the immobilization and sealing in place
of the radioactive source with a cement plug;
(ii) a means to prevent inadvertent intrusion
on the source, such as the setting of a whipstock or other deflection device,
unless the source is not accessible to any subsequent drilling operations;
and
(iii) the mounting of a
permanent identification plaque, containing information required by paragraph
(6) of this subsection, at the surface of the well;
(C) notify the agency by telephone giving the
circumstances of the loss; and
(D)
file a written report with the agency within 30 days of the abandonment,
providing the following information:
(i) date
of occurrence;
(ii) a description
of the radioactive source involved, including radionuclide, activity, chemical
and physical form, and manufacturer, model number and serial number;
(iii) surface location and identification of
well;
(iv) results of efforts to
immobilize and seal the source in place;
(v) depth of the radioactive
source;
(vi) depth of the top of
the cement plug;
(vii) depth of the
well; and
(viii) information
contained on the permanent identification plaque.
(6) Whenever a sealed source
containing radioactive material is abandoned downhole, the licensee shall
provide a permanent plaque (an example of a suggested plaque is shown in
subsection (ee)(3) of this section) for posting on the well or wellbore. This
plaque shall meet the following requirements:
(A) be constructed of long-lasting material
such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or monel. The size of the plaque should
be convenient for use on active or inactive wells; for example, a 7-inch (17
cm) square. Letter size of the word "CAUTION" should be approximately twice the
letter size of the rest of the information; for example, 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) and
1/4 inch (0.63 cm) letter size, respectively; and
(B) contain the following engraved
information on its face:
(i) the word
"CAUTION;"
(ii) the radiation
symbol (color not required);
(iii)
the date of abandonment;
(iv) the
name of the well operator or well owner;
(v) the well name and well identification
number(s) or other designation;
(vi) radionuclide(s) and activity(ies) of the
source(s);
(vii) the source depth
and the plug back depth (depth to the top of the plug); and
(viii) an appropriate warning, depending on
the specific circumstances of each abandonment, such as the following:
(I) "Do not drill below plug back
depth;"
(II) "Do not enlarge
casing;" or
(III) "Do not re-enter
hole before contacting Radiation Control, Texas Department of State Health
Services."
(7) The licensee shall immediately notify the
agency by telephone and confirming letter if the licensee knows or has reason
to believe that radioactive material has been lost in or to an underground
potable water source. Such notice shall designate well location and describe
the magnitude and extent of loss of radioactive material, consequences of such
loss and efforts taken or planned to mitigate these consequences.
(8) In the event of an uncontrolled release
of radioactive tracer material to the environment, the licensee shall notify
the agency by telephone within 24 hours and submit written notification within
30 days.
(ee) Appendices.
(1) Subjects to be included in
training courses for well logging service operations and/or tracer studies are
as follows:
(A) fundamentals of radiation
safety that include:
(i) characteristics of
radiation;
(ii) units of radiation
dose (rem) and activity;
(ii) units
of radiation dose (rem) and activity;
(iii) significance of radiation dose
specifying radiation protection standards and biological effects of
radiation;
(iv) levels of radiation
from sources of radiation;
(v)
methods of controlling radiation dose specifying time, distance, and
shielding;
(vi) radiation safety
practices, specifying prevention of contamination and methods of
decontamination; and
(vii)
discussion of ingestion, inhalation pathways;
(B) radiation detection instrumentation to be
used that includes:
(i) use of radiation
survey instruments specifying operation, calibration, and
limitations;
(ii) survey
techniques; and
(iii) use of
individual monitoring devices;
(C) equipment to be used that specifies;
(i) handling equipment and remote handling
tools;
(ii) sources of
radiation;
(iii) storage control,
disposal, and transport of equipment and sources of radiation;
(iv) operation and control of equipment;
and
(v) maintenance of
equipment;
(D) pertinent
federal and state requirements;
(E)
the licensee's or registrant's written operating, safety, and emergency
procedures;
(F) the licensee's or
registrant's record keeping procedures; and
(G) case histories and potential consequences
of accidents in well logging service operations and tracer studies.
(2) In addition to the subjects
for training courses required in paragraph (1) of this subsection, individuals
performing tracer studies must also complete training in the following
subjects:
(A) sources of
contamination;
(B) contamination
detection and control;
(C)
decontamination techniques and limits;
(D) survey techniques for tracer materials;
and
(E) packaging requirements for
transportation of radioactive materials, especially residual materials from
tracer studies.
(3) The
following is an example of a plaque for identifying wells containing sealed
sources of radioactive material abandoned downhole:
(4) The licensee's or registrant's
operating, safety, and emergency procedures shall include descriptions of and
instructions in at least the following:
(A)
the handling and use of sources of radiation in wells without surface casing
for protecting fresh water aquifers, if appropriate;
(B) the handling and use of sources of
radiation to be employed so that no individual is likely to be exposed to
radiation doses in excess of the limits established in §
289.202
of this title, or §
289.231
of this title, as applicable. Every reasonable effort shall be made to keep
radiation exposures and releases of radioactive material in soils and effluents
to unrestricted areas as low as is reasonably achievable;
(C) methods and occasions for conducting
radiation surveys;
(D) methods and
occasions for locking and securing sources of radiation;
(E) personnel monitoring, including
bioassays, and the use of individual monitoring devices;
(F) removal of radioactive material from
storage, transportation of radioactive material to field locations and
temporary job sites, including packaging of sources of radiation in the
vehicles, placarding of vehicles, securing sources of radiation during
transportation, and return to storage;
(G) minimizing exposure of individuals during
routine use and in the event of an accident;
(H) procedures for notifying proper personnel
in the event of an accident or well excursion;
(I) maintenance of records;
(J) use, inspection, and maintenance of
source holders, logging tools, source handling tools, storage containers,
transport containers, and injection tools;
(K) procedures to be followed in the event a
sealed source is lost or lodged downhole;
(L) procedures to be used for picking up,
receiving, handling, and opening packages containing radioactive
material;
(M) procedures to be used
for surveys of temporary job sites and equipment, and decontamination of
vehicles, associated equipment, and clothing following tracer
studies;
(N) storage and disposal
of radioactive waste;
(O)
procedures for laundering contaminated clothing, if applicable;
(P) licensee's or registrant's management
structure;
(Q) posting of radiation
areas and labeling radioactive material containers;
(R) procedures to be followed in the event of
an uncontrolled release of radioactive tracer material to the environment;
and
(S) actions to be taken if a
sealed source is ruptured, including actions to prevent the spread of
contamination and minimize inhalation and ingestion of radioactive material,
and actions to obtain suitable radiation survey instruments as required by
subsection (i) of this section.
(5) The following records/documents shall be
maintained by the licensee or registrant for inspection by the agency.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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