La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § XV-2017

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XV-2017 - Design, Performance, and Certification Criteria for Sealed Sources Used in Downhole and Well-Logging Operations

A. Sealed Source Used in Downhole and Well-Logging Applications

1. A licensee may use a sealed source in downhole and well-logging applications if the sealed source:

a. is doubly encapsulated;

b. contains licensed material whose chemical and physical forms are as insoluble and nondispersible as practical; and

c. meets one of the following requirements:

i. for a sealed source manufactured on or before July 14, 1989, the requirements of USASI N5.10-1968, "Classification of Sealed Radioactive Sources," or the requirements in Clause A.1.c.ii or iii of this Section; or

ii. for a sealed source manufactured after July 14, 1989, the oil well-logging requirements of 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:

(a). Temperature Test. The test source must be held at -40°C for 20 minutes, 600°C for 1 hour, and then be subjected to a thermal shock test with a temperature drop from 600°C to 20°C within 15 seconds;

(b). Impact Test. A 5 kg steel hammer, 2.5 cm in diameter, must be dropped from a height of 1 m onto the test source;

(c). Vibration Test. The test source must be subjected to a vibration from 25 Hz to 500 Hz at 5 g amplitude for 30 minutes;

(d). Puncture Test. A 1 gram hammer and pin, 0.3 cm pin diameter, must be dropped from a height of 1 m onto the test source;

(e). Pressure Test. The test source must be subjected to an external pressure of 1.695 x 10⁷ pascals (24,600 pounds per square inch absolute).

2. The requirements in Subparagraphs A.1.a-c of this Section do not apply to sealed sources that contain licensed material in gaseous form.

3. The requirements in Subparagraphs A.1.a-c of this Section do not apply to energy compensation sources (ECS). ECSs must be registered with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an agreement state, or the Office of Environmental Compliance.

B. For sealed sources, except those containing radioactive material in gaseous form, acquired after July 14, 1989, in the absence of a certificate from a transferor certifying that an individual sealed source meets the requirements of LAC 33:XV.2017.A, the sealed source shall not be put into use until such determinations and testing have been performed.

C. Each sealed source, except those containing radioactive material in gaseous form, used in downhole operations after July 14, 1989, shall be certified by the manufacturer, or other testing organization acceptable to the Office of Environmental Compliance, as meeting the sealed source performance requirements for oil well-logging as contained in the American National Standard N542, "Sealed Radioactive Sources, Classification," in effect on October 20, 1987.

D. Certification documents shall be kept and maintained for inspection by the Office of Environmental Compliance for a period of two years after source disposal. If the source is abandoned downhole, the certification documents shall be maintained until the Office of Environmental Compliance authorizes disposition in writing.

E. Energy Compensation Source. The licensee may use an energy compensation source (ECS) that is contained within a logging tool, or other tool components, only if the ECS contains quantities of licensed material not exceeding 3.7 MBq (100 microcuries).

1. For well-logging applications with a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers, use of the ECS is only subject to the requirements of LAC 33:XV.2014, 2015, and 2016.

2. For well-logging applications without a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers, use of the ECS is only subject to the requirements of Subsection G of this Section and LAC 33:XV.2004, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2051.

F. Tritium Neutron Generator Target Source

1. Use of a tritium neutron generator target source, containing quantities not exceeding 1,110 MBq (30 curies) and in a well with a surface casing to protect fresh water aquifers, is subject to the requirements of these regulations except Subsections A and E of this Section and LAC 33:XV.2051.

2. Use of a tritium neutron generator target source, containing quantities exceeding 1,110 MBq (30 curies) or in a well without a surface casing to protect fresh water aquifers, is subject to the requirements of these regulations except Subsections A and E of this Section.

G. Use of a Sealed Source in a Well without a Surface Casing. The licensee may use a sealed source in a well without a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers only if the licensee follows a procedure for reducing the probability of the source becoming lodged in the well. The procedure must be approved by the Office of Environmental Compliance.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § XV-2017

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Nuclear Energy Division, LR 13:569 (October 1987), amended by the Office of Air Quality and Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection Division, LR 18:34 (January 1992), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2605 (November 2000), LR 29:1472 (August 2003), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, LR 31:55 (January 2005), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 31:2538 (October 2005), LR 33:2191 (October 2007), LR 33:2362 (November 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq.