Radiation management

SLB has a management process in place to reduce the risks associated with the life cycle of the sources of ionizing radiation to a level as low as reasonably achievable. The life cycle includes sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, import, export, storage, transportation, sale, handling, use, and abandonment or disposal of sources of ionizing radiation. 

From the beginning, the use of chemical radioactive technology for oilfield applications has been fundamental in the development of reservoir characterization. The placement in the wellbore of advanced technology tools and sensors, combined with low-activity radioactive sources, has been used to measure various geological properties, which are used for estimations on reservoir potential and characterization. The possession and usage of these radioactive sources requires licenses from national regulatory agencies, and maintaining these licenses and permits is critical to business continuity. SLB has developed and adopted radiation management standard and operating guidelines, which are more stringent than the framework of Safety and Security Standards published by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), allowing us to exceed the minimum local requirements in any operating country.

Despite our strong assurance on radiation safety and security, there is commitment to gradually move away from chemical source utilization. This has led to several major initiatives: (a) reduce the radiation footprint by reducing obsolete sources and centrally disposing them in secure facilities under manufacturing centers, (b) work with our suppliers of radioactive materials to recycle and reuse  chemical sources (for example, in 2023 over 85 chemical sources under the well construction domain were renewed for life extensions), and (c) continue to develop alternative technology that will provide the required equivalent answers for reservoir characterization without relying on radioactive sources.

Explosives management

SLB has extensive use of oilfield explosives to provide perforating and pipe recovery services to our customers. SLB has a management process in place to reduce the risks associated with the life cycle of the explosives, which includes sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, import, export, storage, transportation, handling, operational use, and disposal.