ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 May 9, 2021 | |
| Title | Agreement State - Damaged Densitometers |
| Event Description | The following information was received via email:
On Sunday, May 9, 2021 NexTier Completion Solutions, Inc., (NexTier) was conducting fracing operations in Eddy County, New Mexico for XTO Energy. At approximately 1900 MDT a fire at the wellsite damaged equipment including two ThermoFisher Scientific densitometers. Eddy County, Otis, Loving and Malaga fire departments responded to the incident late that evening. The wellsite was secured overnight to allow the damaged equipment to cool. The NexTier On-Site RSO, from the Odessa, Texas facility, arrived at the wellsite the morning of May 10, 2021 to visually inspect the damaged densitometers and conduct a radiation survey. The visual inspection revealed each densitometer received heavy heat damage and the results of the survey concluded the lead shielding inside each densitometer had been compromised. It was also confirmed the lead plates on the shutter mechanism of the Model 5190 densitometer had been melted. Leak test samples were collected from each densitometer and sent to NSSI Environmental and Recovery Services, Inc., for emergency assay. A perimeter was set up around each densitometer and all personnel instructed to remain out of the area until the damaged densitometers could be removed. The dose rate at this perimeter was less than 2 millirem per hour. After receiving the assay results confirming the source capsules had not been compromised, the Odessa RSO completed the removal of supports and clamps which secured the damaged densitometers to the equipment. Using a large crane, he removed the damaged densitometers, one at a time and placed both in a pre-designated area away from personnel. Bags of barite were placed over the damaged densitometers to reduce dose rates throughout the operation. The area was roped off and marked to keep anyone from entering. Following the removal of the densitometers from the equipment the NexTier Corporate Radiation Safety Officer conducted a survey on and around the equipment using a Ludlum Model 3000 survey meter with a Nal scintillation detector. No readings more than natural background were detected. Each densitometer contained 0.2 Curie of Cs-137. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Nextier Completion Solutions, Inc. Houston, Texas (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | GA 507-06 |
| Organization: | New Mexico Rad Control Program |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+3317.4 h138.225 days <br />19.746 weeks <br />4.544 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Michael Ortiz 10:24 Sep 24, 2021 |
| NRC Officer: | Mike Stafford |
| Last Updated: | Sep 24, 2021 |
| 55485 - NRC Website | |
Nextier Completion Solutions, Inc. with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 564252023-03-21T04:00:00021 March 2023 04:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Broken Nucler Gauge Shutter ENS 554852021-05-09T05:00:0009 May 2021 05:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State - Damaged Densitometers 2023-03-21T04:00:00 | |