ML24088A010
| ML24088A010 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/28/2024 |
| From: | Peter Habighorst NRC/OIP/ECNP |
| To: | Hofmann C, Warden J Govt of Kazakhstan, Embassy to the US, US Dept of State, Bureau of International Security & Nonproliferation, US Dept of State, Office of Nuclear Energy Safety & Security Affairs |
| References | |
| Download: ML24088A010 (3) | |
Text
Christopher M. Hofmann Acting Economic Chief, U.S. Embassy Astana 3 Raqymjan Qoshqarbayev Avenue, Astana, Kazakhstan 010010 James Warden, Director Office of Nuclear Energy, Safety & Security Affairs, Room 3320 HST Bureau of International Security
& Nonproliferation U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20520
Dear Mr. Hofmann:
As you mentioned in a correspondence dated March 27, 2024, the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Construction (MIC) is requesting proof that the United States (US) does not have export controls or require additional authorizations on the re-export of Cesium-137 sources before issuing Schlumberger an export license.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has reviewed the circumstances involving this export and potential re-export from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan. Schlumberger is authorized to export the sources to Kazakhstan under the NRCs general license provisions pursuant to 10 CFR Part 110.23. Based upon review of the quantity and design details of the Cs-137 sources (200 millicuries per source) identified for re-export, the NRC has concluded that the material quantity is well below what would be required for a specific NRC export license authorizing 27 curies of Cs-137 source.
Once the source in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh government can re-export the device to any country that is not an embargoed destination, as listed in 10 CFR 110.28. It is worth noting, if the sources are retransferred to an embargoed country, further investigation with U.S. export regulations could occur. Uzbekistan is not a U.S. embargoed country, and the NRC would have also permitted this source to be exported to Uzbekistan under the general license. In summary, the NRC does not pose any additional actions from Schlumberger for the re-export of Cs-137 sources from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan.
March 28, 2024
C. Hoffman If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the licensing officer, Stephen Baker at Stephen.Baker@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Peter J. Habighorst, Chief Export Controls and Non-Proliferation Branch Office of International Programs Signed by Habighorst, Peter on 03/28/24
ML24088A010 OFFICE OIP/ECNP OIP/ECNP BC: OIP/ECNP NAME SBaker AJones PHabighorst DATE 03/28/2024 03/28/2024 03/28/2024