Event Notification Report for May 8, 2014

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
05/07/2014 - 05/08/2014

** EVENT NUMBERS **


50069 50070 50071 50074 50092 50093

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Agreement State Event Number: 50069
Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Region: 4
City:  State: CO
County: WELD
License #: CO 1116-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES JARVIS
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 04/29/2014
Notification Time: 12:12 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2014
Event Time: 08:25 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RECOVERY OPERATIONS FOR WELL LOGGING SOURCE

The following information was received via E-mail:

"At approximately 0825 MDT on 04/29/14, the Colorado Radiation Program received notification from Weatherford International, LLC (Colorado license 1116-01), a well logging licensee, regarding a source recovery operation taking place on a well located in Weld County, Colorado (well - 'Razor #261,' operated by Whiting Oil Company). During well logging operations (which involved a 5 Ci Am241:Be source, and a 1.5 Ci Cs-137 source) on 04/28/14, an 'unintentional pull off' occurred sometime around 2200 MDT at a depth of approximately 3500 feet below the surface. A source recovery ('fishing') company was called in to perform source recovery operations and the sources became unstuck around 0230 MDT on 04/29/14. Recovery operations are underway at this time. Fluids are being monitored to verify the sources remain intact during the recovery operations. At this time, the sources are estimated at being 1000 feet below surface, and are continuing to move toward the surface.

"The Radiation Program remains in contact with the licensee and continues to monitor the situation."


* * * UPDATE FROM JAMES JARVIS TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1312 EDT ON 4/29/2014 * * *

"At 1030 MDT on 4/29/14, the licensee reported that the sources have been recovered, are intact, and have been returned to their storage containers at the temporary jobsite. Surveys of the fluids, sources, work area, and drilling platform areas do not indicate the presence of contamination. The licensee reported that visual inspection of the tools in which the sources were used indicated no significant damage. The sources used on the job will be returned to the Weatherford location in Casper Wyoming where they will be formally leak tested. In addition to the Colorado license, Weatherford also holds an NRC license (NRC 42-26891-01). According to the Colorado RSO, the well logging operation was being conducted under the Colorado license, and involved crew members from both the Colorado and Wyoming locations. The sources were brought from the Casper, Wyoming office."

Notified R4DO (Haire) and FSME Events Resource.

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Agreement State Event Number: 50070
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee:
Region: 1
City: AUBURN State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DOUG CULLEN
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Notification Date: 04/29/2014
Notification Time: 15:48 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2014
Event Time: 11:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RECOVERED SOURCE

"A DOT special permit was issued by our Agency to allow the transport of unidentified radioactive material [RAM] from one waste transfer station to the originating transfer station. Subsequently, a contractor (Atlantic Nuclear) was hired by the waste services operator to isolate the RAM, identify it, label it accordingly, and store it in a secure onsite location. The contractor was not able to definitively identify the RAM. The contractor employed portable multi-channel analyzer's in the effort (both an ICS-4000, and LMJ-702), but no positive identification of the isotope(s) could be made. The material in question is encapsulated in what appears to be a metal enclosure, and the contractor postulated that the material might be Ra-226 due to the number of gamma energy lines measured. It was also postulated that metal encapsulation may be providing interferences, and further testing is required to establish the identity of the isotope. The dose rate measurements conducted by the contractor revealed: At contact 35-40 mR/hr; at 12 inches approx. 3 mR/hr.

"The contractor, Atlantic Nuclear (MA Lic. No. 56-0477), is planning to pick up the materials for storage pending disposal in accordance with their specific license. The Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] investigation remains open."

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Agreement State Event Number: 50071
Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: FOREE & VANN, INC
Region: 4
City: PHOENIX State: AZ
County:
License #: AZ 07-263
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 04/29/2014
Notification Time: 16:56 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2014
Event Time: 15:30 [MST]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE SHUTTER FAILED TO CLOSE

The following information was received via email:

"On March 26, 2014, during an inspection, the inspector noted that a moisture density gauge being returned to storage was overdue for a leak test. Further investigation indicated that the shutter would not close when moved to the closed position. The gauge is a Troxler Model 3430B, Serial Number 35809 containing 9 millicuries of Cesium-137 and 45 millicuries of Am-241. The licensee promptly had the shutter cleaned and a leak test performed. The sources were not leaking and the shutter worked as designed.

"The investigation into this event is ongoing pending the licensee response to inspection findings."

Arizona First Notice: 14-003

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Agreement State Event Number: 50074
Rep Org: VIRGINIA RAD MATERIALS PROGRAM
Licensee: SENTARA NORFOLK GENERAL HOSPITAL
Region: 1
City: NORFOLK State: VA
County:
License #: 710-189-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHARLES COLEMAN
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 04/30/2014
Notification Time: 15:26 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2014
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCES (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SECOND SCHEDULED MEDICAL DOSE NOT DELIVERED DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURE

The following information was provided by the State of Virginia via facsimile:

"On April 24, 2014, the licensee performed a two part therapy procedure using yttrium-90 microspheres (Sirtex SirSpheres). The procedure was to treat the same lobe of the liver via two different arterial pathways. There were no problems with the first injection, but the second injection failed and none of the yttrium-90 was delivered to the patient. The licensee determined that the failure occurred because of a faulty Surefire Medical catheter. The authorized user decided not to repeat the administration of the second dose but will treat the region with an alternate method. The licensee indicated that the prescribed dosage for the first injection was 11.7 millicuries and that 12.7 millicuries (27,500 rem to the target region of the loft lobe) was delivered. The prescribed dosage for the second injection was 8.3 millicuries (to give a dose of 26,200 rem to the targeted region) but no activity was delivered. This resulted in a medical event for the second injection (or fraction) as well as for the entire procedure."

VA Event Report ID No.: VA-2014-003

A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 50092
Facility: SALEM
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: ERIC POWELL
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Notification Date: 05/07/2014
Notification Time: 07:45 [ET]
Event Date: 05/07/2014
Event Time: 04:56 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/07/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
JOHNATHAN LILLIENDAH (R1DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 A/R Y 97 Power Operation 0 Hot Standby

Event Text

AUTOMATIC TRIP DUE TO GENERATOR PROTECTION RELAY

"This 4 and 8 hour notification is being made to report that Salem Unit 1 experienced an unplanned automatic reactor trip and subsequent Auxiliary Feedwater System actuation. The automatic trip was initiated from a generator protection relay. A troubleshooting team is being assembled to determine the exact cause for the generator protection actuation. 11, 12 and 13 Aux Feedwater Pumps automatically started as expected on low
Steam Generator water level following the reactor trip. All control rods inserted on the reactor trip. All ECCS and ESF systems functioned as expected.

"Salem Unit 1 is currently in Mode 3. Reactor Coolant system pressure is at 2235 PSIG and temperature is 547 F with decay heat removal via the Main Steam Dumps and Auxiliary Feedwater Systems. Condenser vacuum was available for the duration of the event.

"The 12 Chiller was tagged for maintenance prior to this event and had no adverse impact on the post trip plant response or stabilization. No personnel were injured during this event."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector

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Power Reactor Event Number: 50093
Facility: OCONEE
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] B&W-L-LP,[3] B&W-L-LP
NRC Notified By: ROBERT POOLE
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Notification Date: 05/07/2014
Notification Time: 15:19 [ET]
Event Date: 05/07/2014
Event Time: 14:50 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/07/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling

Event Text

VOLUNTARY NOTIFICATION TO OFFSITE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DUE TO LEAK OF WATER CONTAINING LOW LEVEL TRITIUM CONCENTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH NEI INITIATIVE 07-07

"A leak containing a low level tritium concentration assumed to be greater than 100 gallons of water, with the potential to reach groundwater, occurred at Oconee Nuclear Station. A water sample indicated that the tritium level was 3150 picocuries per liter; which is less than a quarter of the US Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standard of 20,000 picocuries per liter for tritium.

"While conducting a transfer from one chemical treatment pond to another, water was observed seeping from the ground at a location near the transfer piping between the ponds. The transfer was terminated and the ground seepage subsided. Actions have been taken to prevent further use of the chemical treatment pond discharge path at this time. Based upon the on-site location and low tritium levels, there is no health or safety impact to the public or employees.

"Voluntary notification of state and local agencies is being made via the industry groundwater protection initiative; measured tritium levels were below any required notification threshold."

Agencies notified: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina Emergency Management, City of Seneca, City of Anderson, Greenville Water System, Oconee County Administration, Pickens County Administration, Anderson County Administration, Oconee County Emergency Management, Pickens County Emergency Management, Greenville County Emergency Management, and Clemson University Utility Services.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021