Assessment of Effective Dose in the Oil and Gas Industry of Saudi Arabia

Natural, technologically enhanced, and industrial radionuclides contribute to occupational ionizing radiation exposure in the oil and gas industry, posing potential risks to workers and the environment. This study evaluates occupational dose levels in Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas sector from 2016 to 2022 using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). The results show that the annual effective dose (ED) remained below the 20 mSv/year occupational limit set by UNSCEAR, ICRP, and the IAEA, indicating minimal health risk. For the oil industry, the mean ED was 0.57 ± 0.35 mSv (range: 0.05-4.61 mSv), and for the gas industry, it was 0.57 ± 0.26 mSv (range: 0.11-1.62 mSv). The 95% confidence intervals, 0.57 ± 0.011 mSv for oil and 0.57 ± 0.018 mSv for gas, confirm the robustness of these estimates. Notably, this study highlights that TLD-based measurements yield more reliable, job-specific exposure estimates than commonly used computational models. The findings support ongoing regulatory compliance, promote adherence to ALARA principles, and provide a regional benchmark for radiation safety in the oil and gas sector.