Impact of Gas Exploitation on the Environmental Radioactivity of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Area, Nigeria

Abstract

A key component of the current national energy policy of Nigeria is to efficiently utilize her abundant natural gas reserves, especially in the energy sector. This paper reports a study of the terrestrial radioactivity in the industrial areas of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State. These industrial areas and their host communities were divided into six (6) zones, each having an oil and gas facility. An in-situ measurement was done using two well calibrated nuclear radiation meters (digilert–100 and digilert–50) and geographical positioning system (GPS). Ten readings were taken in each of the six zones and the host community at randomly selected sites, making a total of 60 sampling points. The mean site radiation level ranges from 0.014 ± 00.001mRh−1 (1.183 ± 0.060mSvy−1) to 0.018 ± 0.002mRh−1 (1.689± 0.085mSvy−1) while the mean community radiation level ranges from 0.014 ± 0.001mRh−1 (1.183 ± 0.06mSvy−1) to 0.017 ± 0.001mRh−1 (1.435 ± 0.072mSvyr1). The equivalent dose has an average range of 1.056 mSvy−1 to 2.871 mSvy−1, which is far below the recommended dose limit for radiological workers (20mSvy−1) but averagely above that for the general public (1mSvyr−1). Comparison of the measured radiation level of site locations with the normal background level shows that 43 locations, representing 71.7% of the sampled area, exceed the normal background level of 0.013mRh−1. This study indicates that there is no immediate radiological health hazard for the host communities and workers, however there may be long-term health challenges.

Occupational Hazards from Outdoor and Indoor Radiation in Oil Field Facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…The results also showed the mean site radiation levels for the Pipe Inspection Facility; Drill Cutting Treatment Facility and Oil Flow Station were within the range of 0.014±0.001 mRhr and 0.018±0.002 mRhr obtained by Ononugbo et al [11] within industrial areas of ONELGA local government area of Rivers state and mean value of 0.015±0.002 mRhr obtained at Emene industrial layout of Enugu state by Ugbede and Benson (2013). The mean value of 0.019±0.006 mRhr obtained by Anekwe et al [12] for the selected oil spill areas in Rivers state was slightly higher than the exposure rate at the pipe inspection, drill cutting treatment and oil flow station facilities, but lower than the mean BIR level for used oilfield pipe market, 0.027±0.003 mRhr .…”

“…The study was carried out in oil facilities in the Niger Delta which extends from the Bight of Bonny on longitude 8.0ºE to the Bight of Benin on longitude 4.1ºE; and overlaying 22 km offshore [11] as well as 70 km onshore the Atlantic coastline.…”

Influence of Crude Oil Spillage on the r-Radiation Status of Water and Soil in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Area, Nigeria

“…Other studies in the region have shown that the hydrocarbon industry is contributing to an increasingly worrisome ionizing radiation climate in the region (Arogunjo et al, 2004;Chad-Umoren, 2012;Ononugbo et al, 2011;Sigalo & Briggs-Kamara, 2004).…”

“…Furthermore, there has been only one previous study in ONELGA (Ononugbo et al, 2011) and that had followed the traditional mode of focusing mainly on the impact of facilities such as gas processing plants, flow stations, natural gas compressor stations. There is therefore the need to properly document the effect incessant oil spillage has had on the level of background ionizing radiation of the area.…”

Radiological Survey of Oil and Gas Wastes and its Health Risks in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

“…Researches have shown that petroleum industry generates several thousand tons of waste including produced water, scales sludges and contaminated equipment. The amount produced varies depending on the geological location, formation condition, type of production operation and age of the production well [5].…”