Preventing potential radiation incidents in oil and gas
27th August 2024
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At a glance
> During routine source replacement on a radiometric level sensor aboard an offshore oil platform, Tracerco PEDs alerted engineers to a spike in radiation levels.
> With a possible exposure risk to workers, the cause of the radiation was quickly determined thanks to the dosimeters’ instantaneous data collection.
> Following the incident, all platform supervisory staff were recommended to wear a PED thanks to its simple operation and intrinsically safe design.
Providing a fast response to possible exposure
While performing a routine source replacement on a radiometric level sensor at an offshore oil platform, Tracerco PED personal electronic dosimeters alerted field engineers to a sudden increase in radiation levels. The initial concern stemmed from the unclear source of the radiation, and whether the rise was due to a containment issue or another factor. With a potential exposure risk to personnel, staff needed to work fast to eliminate the ambiguity.
Thanks to the PEDs, the engineers were able to quickly determine that the radiation was not coming from the radioactive sources in their custody and precautionary evacuation measures around the affected areas were initiated. With the real-time data collected by the PEDs, the engineers traced the source to an industrial radiography team working several decks above whose work had elevated local radiation levels. The PEDs’ accurate data allowed the team to respond quickly, identifying the exposure and mitigating risks to workers.
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Making PEDs a vital part of the platform’s safety infrastructure
Impressed by the effectiveness and retrospective analysis functionality of the dosimeters’ software, the platform’s Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) subsequently recommended PEDs for all platform supervisory staff. It also allowed procedures to be reviewed and address the unintended spike caused by the radiography team for safer working practices in the future, making the PEDs a vital part of the platform’s safety infrastructure.
The dosimeter’s intrinsically safe design makes it the ideal instrument for potentially dangerous environments such as oil and gas. Designed to simplify radiation monitoring, PEDs allow workers to work safely and understand any potential risks with minimal extra training. The intuitive high-resolution screen displays readings in green, amber, red, and crimson, clearly showing any elevated radiation levels. Changes in radiation exposure, dose rate, and accumulated dose are displayed in real-time and users are notified of alerts by audible, visual, and vibrating alarms.
Find out more
You can learn more about the Tracerco PED by clicking the button below to speak to a product specialist directly and requesting a guided demonstration.