The following information was received from the State of California:
The Licensee discovered at approximately [1700 PDT] on 10/15/17 that two 3 Ci Am-241Be well logging sources had been stolen from their storage area at Weller Ranch in Kern County. Locks had been cut and the sources were removed from the approximate 12-foot storage pipe. Additionally, an approximate 2500 [pound] calibration water tank was also missing.
The FBI was notified by CA Radiologic Health Branch [RHB] at approximately [2030 PDT] on 10/15/17.
RHB will be onsite 10/16/17.
California 5010 Number: 101517
- * * UPDATE FROM ROBERT GREGER TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1511 EDT ON 10/16/2017 * * *
The two well logging sources have been accounted for. An unauthorized individual had accessed the sources, removing them from their storage location on his father's ranch land and discarding them a short distance away without any knowledge of what they were. The unauthorized individual also took the water calibration tank for his personal use.
The well logging sources are back in the possession of the licensee.
Notified R4DO (Vasquez) , NMSS Events Notification, CNSNS (MEXICO) and ILTAB via email.
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Category 3 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for some hours. It could possibly - although it is unlikely - be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of days to weeks. These sources are typically used in practices such as fixed industrial
gauges involving high activity sources (for example: level
gauges, dredger
gauges, conveyor
gauges and spinning pipe
gauges) and well logging. For additional information go to
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf