High-volume NORM repackaging and disposal for multiple North Sea operators – over 45 tonnes of sludge, scale, PPE and contaminated equipment processed through Sureclean’s Oldmeldrum NORM facility using continuous transfer systems, with full traceability and zero incidents.
Sector: Offshore oil & gas – decommissioning / production
Location: Oldmeldrum NORM Decontamination Facility, North-east Scotland
Client: Multiple North Sea operators (anonymised)
Services: NORM waste repackaging, decontamination, vacuum hopper transfer, compliant disposal, documentation
Overview
A group of North Sea operators needed a single, trusted route for repackaging, decontaminating and disposing of accumulated NORM waste from offshore campaigns.
Sureclean managed the full process at our fully licensed Oldmeldrum NORM Decontamination Facility, handling over 45,000 kg of NORM waste with continuous transfer systems that cut manual handling, reduced water use and kept everything fully traceable.
The Challenge
Across several campaigns, operators had built up mixed NORM waste streams, including:
- Sludge and scale
- Contaminated PPE
- NORM-impacted equipment and residues from offshore cleaning and maintenance
They needed a partner who could:
- Receive, segregate, repackage and decontaminate multiple waste types
- Provide a clear, auditable chain of custody
- Minimise manual handling and exposure for personnel
- Deliver everything safely, compliantly and on budget
Sureclean’s Solution
Sureclean provided an end-to-end NORM repackaging and disposal service, all in-house:
- Specialist NORM facility
All waste was routed through our Oldmeldrum NORM Decontamination Facility, operating under full regulatory approvals, with established systems for monitoring, segregation and documentation. - Vacuum Hopper → Skip → Tank continuous transfer
We used a Vacuum Hopper–based transfer setup to move waste from skips into tanks and repackaging stations, enabling:- Continuous, controlled waste transfer with no downtime
- Reduced manual shovel-and-bag handling
- Lower risk of spills and personnel exposure
- Integrated service lines and experienced crews
Our own equipment fleet and trained NORM personnel allowed rapid mobilisation and an efficient, repeatable workflow that outperformed traditional methods.
Results
The campaign delivered:
- Over 45 tonnes of NORM waste processed within schedule and budget
- Continuous transfer method that:
- Reduced water consumption
- Increased throughput and operational efficiency
- Minimized manual handling and exposure risk
- All operations completed safely, compliantly and without incident
- Full documentation and traceability provided for every waste stream, satisfying regulatory and client audit requirements
Clients praised Sureclean’s professionalism, flexibility and reliability, noting our ability to handle high-volume NORM waste efficiently while maintaining the highest safety and environmental standards.
What this shows about Sureclean
This project underlines Sureclean’s position as a go-to NORM management partner for the North Sea:
- A specialist, licensed NORM facility capable of handling complex, high-volume campaigns
- Engineered transfer systems that reduce risk and support environmental goals
- A holistic approach – from receipt to final disposal – that delivers both compliance and efficiency.
