Contaminated materials safely managed during gas infrastructure decommissioning
Decommissioning gas infrastructure can quickly become complex when naturally occurring radioactive material is present. Items must be identified, handled and transported correctly to protect people, maintain compliance, and keep the wider programme moving.
ASCO supported a decommissioning contractor with the decommissioning of a gas works site at Huntingdon Compressor Station, providing specialist NORM expertise and a compliant route for contaminated materials.
This included radiation monitoring, correct bagging, tagging, transport coordination, and transfer to ASCO’s permitted NORM facility for downsizing, decontamination and onward scrapping.
Client
Specialist decommissioning contractor
Scope
NORM Services, Radiation Protection, Decommissioning Support, Waste Management
Location
Huntingdon Compressor Station, Bigrams Road, Stonely, St. Neots
Duration
Approximately 8 weeks
At a glance
- ASCO provided four Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS’s) to support site monitoring and contamination identification.
- Contaminated items were safely bagged, tagged, and secured into transport baskets and transferred to ASCO’s permitted NORM facility.
- ASCO managed transport to and from site, including 30 journeys in total, with crane support arranged for heavier lifts in Aberdeen.
Approach
We worked closely with the contractor ahead of mobilisation to understand the site requirements and agree a safe, compliant route for managing contaminated materials.
Four RPS's were deployed for approximately eight weeks to monitor the site, identify contaminated items, and ensure materials were correctly bagged, tagged and secured for transport.
We also completed dangerous goods paperwork, coordinated 30 transport journeys to its permitted NORM facility, and arranged crane support for heavier lifts in Aberdeen.
Impact
The project gave the contractor access to specialist NORM capability, radiation protection expertise and a permitted route for contaminated materials during a large-scale decommissioning programme.
By combining site monitoring, contamination identification, compliant packaging, dangerous goods documentation, transport coordination and permitted facility processing, ASCO provided a joined-up service that helped simplify a complex decommissioning scope.
The project was completed on schedule and on budget, with zero accidents or incidents reported.
Results
- 30 transport journeys coordinated to and from site
- Contaminated items identified, bagged, tagged and secured for transport
- Dangerous goods paperwork completed
- Materials transferred to ASCO’s permitted NORM facility for downsizing, decontamination and onward scrapping
- Project completed on time and on budget
- Zero accidents or incidents reported