Crude oil rarely comes up alone — it is usually accompanied by water, and that water can leave behind radioactive scale on the inside of production equipment, in the form of radium or barium deposits, or as solid residue mixed with sand and silt inside pipelines and surface vessels. Crews who are not trained to recognize this naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) can be exposed to it without ever knowing.

This course, offered by the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, gives personnel in oil extraction and refining the knowledge to identify, measure, and control that risk. Radiation protection is the discipline responsible for shielding workers, the public, facilities, and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation — and this program applies that discipline specifically to the realities of oil production.

What You Will Be Able to Do:

• Explain the methods used to extract and refine crude oil.
• Identify hazardous minerals present in crude oil and the methods used to detect radiation.
• Recognize how natural radiation is associated with petroleum, and the types of radioactive minerals involved.
• Understand the dangers natural radiation poses to individuals.
• Apply radiation measurement units and methods correctly.
• Apply appropriate protection and prevention methods against radiation exposure.

Who Should Attend:

• Managers in oil companies and institutions.
• Contractors working in this industry.
• Anyone looking to develop their skills in this field.

Module 1: Crude Oil Extraction and Refining — Where NORM Comes From

• Methods used in extracting and handling crude oil
• Methods used in refining crude oil
• How the refining process creates the conditions for naturally occurring radioactive material to form

Module 2: Radioactive Minerals and Natural Radiation in Petroleum

• Hazardous minerals present in crude oil and methods for detecting radiation
• How natural radiation becomes associated with petroleum production
• Types of radioactive minerals encountered in oil operations

Module 3: Health Risks of Natural Radiation Exposure

• The dangers natural radiation poses to individuals working in oil facilities

Module 4: Measuring Radiation — Units and Methods

• Understanding the units used to measure radiation
• Radiation measurement methods used in the field

Module 5: Radiation Protection and Prevention Practices

• Protection and prevention methods used to control radiation exposure

Module 6: Practical Case Studies

• Applied cases from real oil extraction and refining operations