One of the UK’s most advanced facilities for the safe treatment and disposal of naturally occurring radioactive material (norm) has opened in Aberdeen.
The multimillion-pound development in Greenwell Road, East Tullos, was built to meet growing demand from the oil and gas industry for the safe management of waste. It is operated by Norm Solutions, a joint venture between waste management specialist Enviroco and metal reprocessing and environmental service firm John Lawrie Group (JLG).
The new business has already created 10 jobs, secured work and received strong interest from potential customers.
Demand and staffing levels are expect to rise as larger North Sea decommissioning projects get under way.
The facility uses ultra-high-pressure water-jetting gear to decontaminate and descale tubulars and other equipment in an automated, controlled and closed environment. After removal, the scale deposits are treated and mixed with cement before safe disposal at authorised sites.
JLG environmental director Ray Grant said: “Recent legislative changes have banned the disposal of norm waste into the marine environment from onshore facilities and this has led to the development of Norm Solutions’ facility.
“Our ability to receive and handle contaminated sand and sludge provides many opportunities as this could not previously be done in the north-east.”