NNRA Conduct Monitoring Inspection of Abandonment of Radioactive Sources Operation by an Oil Company

NNRA Conduct Monitoring Inspection of Abandonment of Radioactive Sources Operation by an Oil Company

The NNRA successfully conducted a regulatory inspection exercise from 3rd–6th June 2026 at the onshore exploration facility of a licensed operator in Rivers State, Nigeria. The inspection was to verify compliance and ensure the safe management of radioactive sources associated with well abandonment operations.

The inspection was carried out at a land-based operational drilling rig located within Nigeria’s onshore exploration area of the Gulf of Guinea. The primary objective was to witness, assess, and verify the implementation of safe plug and abandonment (P&A) operations involving radioactive sources that had become stuck downhole during drilling activities.

The inspection activities focused on confirming that the abandonment process was executed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, including the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act No. 19 of 1995, the Nigerian Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulations (2023), the Nigerian Natural Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Regulations (2008), the Nigerian Radiation Safety in Nuclear Well Logging Regulations (2008), the Nigerian Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Regulations (2023), and relevant provisions of Section 10(c) of the Petroleum Industry Act.

The successful completion of the abandonment operations involved coordinated efforts among the well operator, radioactive source owner, drilling rig contractor, cementing contractor, and other specialized service providers. The activities were conducted under approved operational procedures and safety controls to ensure effective management of the radioactive sources.