Press Release-IV-03-023, NRC to Hold Predecisional Enforcement Conference with Schlumberger Technology Corp. in Montana

Press Release-IV-03-023: NRC to Hold Predecisional Enforcement Conference with Schlumberger Technology Corp. in Montana

ML031420127
Person / Time
Issue date:	05/22/2003
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region IV
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-IV-03-023
Download: ML031420127 (2)

Text

NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Drive - Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4005No. IV-03-023May 22, 2003Contact: Victor Dricks E-Mail: opa4@nrc.gov Phone: 817-860-8128 NRC TO HOLD PREDECISIONAL ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE WITH SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORP. IN MONTANAThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a predecisional enforcementconference in Great Falls, Montana, May 30 with Schlumberger Technology Corp. to discussapparent violations of NRC regulations resulting in the exposure of oilfield workers to radiationin excess of NRC limits.The conference with Schlumberger of Sugarland, Texas, is scheduled to be held at 1:00p.m. in the Great Falls Civic Center. During the conference, the licensee will have anopportunity to address the apparent violations identified by the NRC following an incident thatoccurred on a temporary job site near Havre, Montana, last year involving the mishandling of a radioactive source used in well-logging operations.The public is invited to observe the meeting, but some portions may be closed because ofdiscussion of personal privacy information. NRC officials will be available before the conclusion of the meeting to answer questions.The decision to hold a predecisional enforcement conference does not mean that adetermination has been made that violations have occurred or that enforcement action will be taken. The purpose is to discuss the apparent violations, causes and safety significance, to provide the licensee with an opportunity to point out any errors, if any, in the NRC inspection report and to enable the company to outline its corrective actions.No decision on the apparent violations or any contemplated enforcement action, such as acivil penalty, will be made at the conference. Those decisions will be made by NRC officials at a later time.

A copy of the letter to Schlumberger from the NRC regarding this conference and theNRC inspection report regarding the incident can be obtained from the Region IV Office of Public Affairs at the above address or from the NRC's Web site at www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Help in accessing the document is available from the NRC Public Document Room at 301-415-4737 or 1-800-397-4209.