ENS 49309
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
06:00 Aug 24, 2013 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Nuclear Density Gauge Involved in Fire at Well Site |
| Event Description | The following information was received via facsimile:
A fire started at a well site near Williston, ND on Saturday, August 24, 2013. At the time of the event, fracking activities were being performed utilizing a Thermo Fisher Scientific model 5190 nuclear density gauge containing a Cs-137 source attached to a blender. Personnel evacuation was immediately performed and notification was made to the local fire department. Local fire department personnel arrived on-site and established control of the scene. The fire was extinguished later that night. Local fire department personnel restricted access to the site until Sunday morning. At that time, licensee personnel on-site were allowed to approach the gauge from a safe distance working their way towards the gauge while continually monitoring a radiation survey instrument (Ludlum Model 3). As the observed readings were higher than expected, it was believed the lead shielding had melted inside the steel casing and shifted to the lower area within the casing. The steel casing remained intact. After the initial assessment, licensee personnel maintained continual surveillance while site security personnel prohibited access within the public dose boundary set by the licensee. The licensee dispatched their Radiation Compliance Coordinator for further evaluation. The licensee's Radiation Compliance Coordinator arrived in Williston late Sunday night. Early Monday morning he arrived on site to perform more complete radiation surveys and leak testing of the involved gauge. The highest radiation levels noted around the gauge were 2.6 R/hr at the surface and 20 mR/hr at 1 meter. Wipe tests were collected and sent to Applied Health Physics of Bethel, PA for analysis. The results of the first two wipe samples demonstrated no evidence of contamination. The licensee contacted the manufacturer regarding disposal of the damaged gauge. The manufacturer, not willing to accept receipt of the gauge, suggested the licensee contact a waste broker for final disposal. The licensee subsequently contacted Applied Health Physics (AHP). AHP plans to cut out the gauge and package it in a lead lined 55 gallon steel drum for transport, and ship the container for final disposal. AHP is scheduled to perform this activity on Thursday, August 29, 2013. Licensee and site security personnel will continue to maintain surveillance and control of the site until the disposal personnel arrive.
AHP removed the gauge and packaged it for transport. Notified R4DO (Gaddy) and FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (e-mail).
The North Dakota Department of Health has completed their investigation and recommending the LER (License Event Report) for closure. Notified the R4DO (Vasquez), R1DO (Cook), and FSME Events Resource via email. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Nabors Completion & Production Services Company Williston, North Dakota (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | 33-48830-01 |
| Organization: | North Dakota Department Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+82.45 h3.435 days <br />0.491 weeks <br />0.113 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | David Stradinger 16:27 Aug 27, 2013 |
| NRC Officer: | Donald Norwood |
| Last Updated: | Dec 6, 2013 |
| 49309 - NRC Website | |
Nabors Completion & Production Services Company with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 493092013-08-24T06:00:00024 August 2013 06:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Nuclear Density Gauge Involved in Fire at Well Site 2013-08-24T06:00:00 | |