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Radiological impact of oil and Gas Activities in selected oil fields in Production Land Area of Delta State, Nigeria
AGBALAGBA, EZEKIEL O.; AVWIRI, GREGORY O. & CHAD-UMOREN, YEHUWDAH E.
Abstract
A study of the radiological impact of oil and gas exploration activities in the
production land area of Delta State has been carried out in-situ using two synchronized and
calibrated radiation meters (Digilert 50 and 100) and a geographical positioning system
(GPS). Ten oil field facilities were studied. At each facility, nine sampling locations and their
host communities were evaluated making a total of 100 study points. Measured exposure rate
in the oil field facilities ranged from 0.011±0.003mRh-1 in Evwreni camp site to
0.031±0.01mRh-1 at the Otorogu gas plant. Mean field exposure rates/equivalent dose rates
ranged from 0.016±0.006mRh-1(0.839±0.34mSvy-1) to 0.0213±0.008mRh-1(1.134±0.44mSvy-1). In the host communities the values ranged from 0.0115±0.003mRh-1 (0.612±0.16mSvy-1)
in Evwreni community to 0.021±0.007mRh-1 (1.117±0.37mSvy-1) in Otujeremi town, while
for the control study area the value obtained was 0.009±0.002mRh-1(0.479±0.11mSvy-1). The
results show that the radiation levels for the Ughelli East, Kokori, Eriemu, Evwreni, Eriemu,
Oweh, Olomoro-Oleh oil and gas fields are within the 1mSvy-1 maximum permissible limit
recommended for the public and non-nuclear industrial environment, while the levels for the
fields at Otorogu, Ughelli West, Afiesere and Uzere West and East and the host communities
of Olomoro, Uzere and Emeragha exceeded the maximum recommended value, an indication
that the oil fields and host communities environment have been impacted radiologically.
However, these results obtained may not have immediate health hazard, but will pose some
long-term health side effects on the staff working in the facilities and residents of the host
communities. Interim proactive measures are recommended @JASEM
Keywords
Radiological impact, Oil and Gas facilities, oil field, ionizing radiation levels.
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