N.M. Code R. § 20.3.14.1403 – Exemptions

A. For release for unrestricted use, persons who receive, possess, use, process, transfer, distribute, transport, store or dispose of NORM are exempt from the requirements of these regulations if: the NORM present is at concentrations of 30 picocuries per gram or less of radium 226, above background, or 150 picocuries per gram or less of any other NORM radionuclide, above background, in soil, in 15 cm layers, averaged over 100 square meters. Samples should be taken if gamma radiation readings (mR/hr) are equal to or exceed twice background readings when surveyed at a distance of 1 cm from the surface of the soil, in accordance with Department guidelines.
B. The possession and use of natural gas and natural gas products and crude oil and crude oil products as fuels are exempt from the requirements of this Subpart [Part].
C. NORM not otherwise exempted and equipment from oil, gas, and water production containing NORM are exempt from the requirements of this Subpart if the maximum radiation exposure reading at any accessible point does not exceed 50 microroentgens per hour (mR/hr) (0.5 mSv/hr), including background radiation levels. Sludges and scales contained in oil, gas and water production equipment are exempt from the requirements of this Subpart if the maximum radiation exposure reading within 1 cm of the surface of the sludge or scale does not exceed 50 microroentgens per hour (50 mR/hr) (0.5 mSv/hr), including background radiation levels. If the radiation readings exceed 50 mR/hr (0.5 mSv/hr), removable sludges and scales are exempt from the requirements of these regulations if the concentration of Radium 226, in a representative sample, does not exceed 30 picocuries per gram.
D. NORM not otherwise exempted and equipment from gas processing, fractionation, and dry gas distribution containing NORM are exempt from the requirements of this Subpart [Part] if the removable surface NORM contamination does not exceed 1000 dpm/100 cm2 and otherwise conforms with the requirements of 1403.A [Subsection A., Section 1403 of 20.3.14.1403 NMAC]. Removable scale from gas processing fractionating, and dry gas distribution is exempt from the requirements of this Subpart [Part] if the concentration of Lead 210, in a representative sample, does not exceed 150 picocuries per gram.
E. Produced water is exempt from the requirements of these regulations if it is reinjected into a Class I or Class II Underground Injection Control (UIC) well permitted by the Division and/or stored or disposed in a double, synthetically lined surface impoundment permitted by the Division.
[8-2-95; 20.3.14.1403 NMAC – Rn, 20 NMAC 3.1.14.1403, Recompiled 11/27/01]