Background
The client is removing high volumes of steel infrastructure as part of a decommissioning program for offshore/subsea hydrocarbon production pipelines, valves and related components. Relatively low levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) and mercury can accumulate and concentrate, forming a scale or sludge within the pipes and valves of the production infrastructure. The build-up of NORM scale and toxic levels of mercury is dependent on several factors, including the reservoir fluid composition and the duration of production.
The presence of these contaminants can significantly affect how the equipment functions during operation and how it is managed and disposed of once it is removed from the operating environment. It will also affect the ability of materials to be reused, repurposed, or recycled. A major challenge is detecting the presence of these contaminants before the equipment is decommissioned. The safety, accuracy, and processing costs of the assets after decommissioning is also an area the client would like to improve upon.
Possible Solution Areas
Industries typically exposed to high levels of radiation and heavy metal contaminants:
- Nuclear Industry – detection of radiation
- Including robots, ROVs, and AUVS, used to detect radiation levels remotely e.g., Fukushima and Chernobyl
- Oil & Gas
- Latest advancements in detection pre/during decommissioning and disposal of NORM and Mercury assets
- Mining
- Manufacturing Industries
- Water Treatment/Supply networks
- Detection of heavy metals contamination within pipes currently in use
Desired Outcome of the Solution
Open to a variety of partnership avenues including Joint Development Agreements, Research Sponsorships, Licensing, Supplier etc.
Technologies and/or partners with solutions at any development stage are of interest.
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