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Abstract The radioactivity distribution pattern has been estimated for naturally occurring radioactive materials due to exploration and deep drilling in the Al-Zubair petroleum station from Iraq. The investigated samples were collected from Al-Zubair station and their surrounding areas concerning extraction locations of petroleum ores and storage places of NORM residues. The radionuclides library has been designed to involve the natural uranium and thorium decay series. Based on the measured activity concentrations, the radiation doses were evaluated by applying the conversion dose coefficients recommended from IAEA, ICRP, and UNSCEAR. During the drilling process, the samples collected from the surface until the depth 2.5 km approximately. For the surface samples till the samples at the depth of 1 km, the resulting values are significantly normal compared to the standard references given by the Environmental Protection Agency and IAEA in this regard. The overall mean value of the measured activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 are: 3627.66, 192.92, and 630.89 Bq/kg, respectively. Going deeply (> 1 km), the soil sludge from the drilling accumulated in the workspace of the station. It is close to the petroleum layer, and it contains an abundance of NORM. corresponding calculated dose indicated a non-permissible level, so strong safety and security precautions must be applied to protect the personnel from the radiation hazards. To furnish the data of radiation protection and human safety, integral organ doses and the excess lifetime cancer risk have been calculated in order to make recommendations for the adequate safety principles to occupational radiation protection programs and perspective on the assessment of environmental NORM risk. This study is a part of the master thesis of the first author who is working in Iraqi Ministry of Health. Recommendations According to the results of the present study we recommend the following : The application of a periodic and orderly radiological protection protocol for occupational and workers in the Zubair oil fields. Using updated methods of waste storage and following designated places that follow international conditions in storing and burying waste and radioactive materials that are continuously produced in accordance with the exploration, drilling and prospecting for oil in the Al-Zubair Petroleum oil fields - Iraq. |