PNO-IV-99-047, on 991025,representatives of Frac Svcs,Inc Provided Telcon Notification to Region IV Ofc of Theft of Density Gauge.Density Gauge Was Tx Nuclear Corp Model 5192, Which Houses 200 Mci Cs-137 Source
| ML20217M268 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/26/1999 |
| From: | Cruz J, Linda Howell NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-99-047, NUDOCS 9910270181 | |
| Download: ML20217M268 (2) | |
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-1A- October 26,1999~ '
' PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-99-047 l i
I Thtz preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or
!' public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or
! ' evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this
!' date.
Facility Licensee Emeraency Classification i y Frac Services, Inc. Notification of Unusual Event
- Frac Services, Inc. '
Alert L : Washington, Oklahoma 173093' Site Area Emergency General Emergency i X Not Applicable i
Subject:
STOLEN DENSITY GAUGE (Generally Licensed Device)
On October 25,1999, at approximately 5:15 p.m. (CDT), representatives of Frac Services,
- Inc. (FSI) provided telephone notification to the Region IV office of the theft of a density l l' ; gauge. Representatives of FSI subsequently provided a telephone report to the NRC l ' Operations Center. The density gauge was a Texas Nuclear Corporation (TN Technologies, l
Inc.) Model 5192 (Serial No. B6670), which houses a 7.4 gigabequerel (200 millicuries) cesium-137 source. The gauge is distributed as a generally-licensed device. The gauge is used to measure the density.of fluids or materials and is mounted to a pipe spool; there is l no shutter mechanism. The source head and detector are mounted to a 3-foot section of pipe which is used for in-line process measurements. l s
l FSI representatives reported that the gauge and pipe spool are painted gray and that the pipe section and gauge do not have a label identifying the owner. FSI representatives
, reported that following use of the device on October 21,1999, they experienced problems
(' with a vehicle used to tow the density gauge and other equipment while en route to FSI's
!. office. During transport, the gauge was chained to the bed of a trailer, with a lock attached to the chain. At approximately 3:00 a.m.'(CDT) on Thursday, October 21, FSI employees
!. noted that the trailer had a flat tire, and they. stopped and left the trailer in a parking lot near
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l Calumet, Oklahoma.- FSI employees later checked on the trailer and equipment at 8:30 p.m.
l on Thursday and found the equipment and trailer as they left it earlier that morning. On Friday, October 22, FSI employees retumed to the parking lot to replace the tire and return l_ the equipment to FSl; however, the trailer and equinment was ' missing. Interviews of employees at the facility that owned the parking lot revealed that the trailer was missing when the employees reported for work between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. on Friday moming. FSI L employees also interviewed residents in the area and no information about the missing
[ ' trailer was identified. FSI subsequently assumed that the trailer was stolen.
FSI has notified the Kingfisher and Canadian County Sheriff Departments of the theft and posted notices in the community offering a reward for retum of the ts.ier. The posted
- i. notices indicate that the trailer contains a radioactive cree sinich may be hazardous to
I 9910270181 991026 f 1 PDR I8:E .
l PNO-IV-99-047 PDR \gJ .
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l' Region IV contacted the gauge manufacturer, TN Technologies, ic., on October 26 and was informed that the Model 5192 density gauge is routinely fitted with an engraved label on'the sobrce housing. The label identifies the manufacturer, source and source strength.
Although the manufacturer's representative had not seen this particular device, he indicated that the source housing and detector are normally welded to the pipe spool. Typical radiation levels from this type of device were reported as 2-3 milliroentgen per hour at a i distance.of 30 centimeters from the back of the soure.e housing, and 3.8 milliroentgen per hour at a distance of 30 centimeters frorn the back of the detector.
Region IV received this information by telephone at 5:15 p.m. (CDT) on October 25,1999.
Region IV has notified OEDO, NMSS, and the State of Oklahoma. This information has also been reviewed with an NMSS lAT member. This information is current as of 9:00 a.m.
(CDT), October 26,1999.
Contact:
Linda Howell (817)860-8213 Jeffrey Cruz (817)860-8164 1
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