Title: Shaping the Future: The Truth on Radioactive Sources

Abstract: The oil&gas industry uses significant amount of radioactive materials. These are normally unstable isotopes that decay, emitting particles of various nature and energy. The risks connected to the use of such isotopes are also variable, ranging from financial penalties to catastrophic environmental incidents and terrorist acts.

Governmental agencies around the globe have strived to regulate and control the amount of radioactive materials. Yet, no regulation can prevent accidents, which continue to happen. It is time for the energy industry to acknowledge that there is no such thing as a “safe” isotopic source. Alternatives to isotopes (especially the ones used to perform logging) do exist, but they are yet to be fully accepted by both operators and governmental agencies.

Part of the problem stemps from the fact that all sources (no matter how dangerous-or safe) are lumped together in a single category. Operators and regulators alike are forced to use a blanket approach, applying the same rules to non-isotopic sources (only nominally radioactive) and deadly chemical compounds. Such regulatory framework discourages any advance, as operators have no real incentive in switching from toxic isotopic sources to environmentally-friendly devices.

This presentation will focus on the true dangers of various radioactive sources, from a scientific, industrial and environmental point of view. Disseminating this information will help the Nigerian energy industry and regulatory agencies to understand and reap the benefits of technologically advanced radioactive devices.

CV:
Luca Ortenzi has 19 years of experience in the logging business. He started in 1993 as wire-line engineer (in Warri-Nigeria), and moved out of the field to become log analyst (in Lagos, Nigeria). He supported the Schlumberger wire-line and then LWD technology in various parts of the world (France, USA, Norway, Indonesia, Angola). He spend 5 years in the engineering centers of Sugar-Land (USA) and Clamart (France), were was involved in the development of LWD answer products. His main areas of expertise are real-time data interpretation, geosteering and nuclear logging technology. He is now back in Nigeria (for the 3d time in his career!), where he supports the Schlumberger D&M logging technology