Japan nuclear power geological survey in Ninh Thuan

MT geological survey ship Choyo Maru, of Kawasaki Japan Geological Survey Company came to Vietnam and is surveying marine geology for the construction project of Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant 2.

MT ship Choyo Maru will conduct geological survey within 43 days from September 14, operating time from 7:00 to 17:00 every day. The ship carries a 70m-long wave cable, the end of the cable has a buoy to keep the cable floating on the water from 2 to 5m. The Border Guard Command of Ninh Thuan province sent 2 ships to participate in escort duty.

Mr. Vo Dai, Vice Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee, said that in order to facilitate the survey team, the province had announced the request of floating owners, fishing boats of fishermen in and out of the sea. This is temporarily unavailable in the areas of the MT survey vessel Choyo Maru, with a radius of at least 2km.

Geological survey vessel Choyo Maru. (Photo: dokai.co.jp)

According to calculations by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnamese and international scientists, 8.3-magnitude earthquakes occurred in the Manila deep-water trench area can create 5.2m high tsunami in Quang Ngai and 2.1m in Nha Trang area. The magnitude of 9.2 earthquakes can create tsunamis of 10.6 m high in Quang Ngai and 5m in Nha Trang. The time of tsunami from the deep Manila trench area to the coast of Vietnam, directly affect the South Central Coast after about 2 hours. Ninh Thuan is determined by geologists as a 5 or 6 earthquake zone.

Scientifically, earthquakes of magnitude greater than 6.5 in the seas are likely to cause tsunamis. Ministry of Science and Technology has ordered scientists from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics Institute to carry out the project 'Assessment of fault activities in the area expected to build nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 '. This is also the basis for completing safety standards for Vietnam's first nuclear power plant.

At the 9th Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Conference held in August, Mr. Vuong Huu Tan - Director of the Atomic Energy Institute, said that it is expected in early 2013, all the parameters of geology and disaster risks. (including tsunamis) will be sufficient, so that by 2014 it is possible to start construction of Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant as planned.

During this conference, the scientists also proposed additional geological surveys of two areas expected to build two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan, due to incomplete initial studies. Dr. Tran Tan Van, Director of the Department of Geological and Mineral Sciences, said his research team surveyed the geology of Vinh Hai and Phuoc Dinh lands - the site of the construction of two nuclear power plants. The results show that some faults have been omitted in previous studies and surveys.

For example, two Suoi Mia faults in Phuoc Dinh and Vinh Hai 2 in Vinh Hai. The Suoi Mia fracture is not clearly shown on land but the seabed is clearly expressed as a groundwater creek. This fault system forms a large trench of about 1,520m, cutting both the original rock and the sea shelf and creating a fairly straight coastline in Vinh Hai. There is currently no basis to conclude about its age and operational nature.

Similarly, Vinh Hai fault has not been measured and studied, but Dr. Van thinks it is worth noting because it creates a very straight coastline in Vinh Hai area, and separating Hon Vai from the mainland and causing Strongly broke a series of northeastern islands. This fracture also revealed soda underground water, creating lime sand at the water edge along Vinh Hai coast.

The team especially noted the above two faults and the Nui Chua fault that could cause earthquakes, displace and destroy the building.

The area is planned to build nuclear power plants
Ninh Thuan in Vinh Tuong. (Photo: Son Ninh)

Also at the seminar, Associate Prof. Dr. Vuong Huu Tan, Director of Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, said that Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power plants will build 3rd or 3rd generation reactors. Therefore, the safety factor will be many times higher than the reactor of Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Vietnam and Russia are rushing to conduct research to build a full report to the Prime Minister for approval of the construction site of a nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan. According to Dr. Tan, if during the research process, discovering the factors that are not safe for the project, the location must be changed.

According to representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the agreement on the construction of Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant was signed between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of the Russian Federation. The two parties are discussing the contract to make a feasibility report and survey the construction site.

Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant project is being discussed by Vietnamese and Japanese partners to conduct site research and feasibility report. The Prime Minister agreed to deploy a project to build a Nuclear Science and Technology Center in cooperation with the Russian Federation. The two sides have negotiated an agreement and are expected to sign an intergovernmental agreement to build the Nuclear Science and Technology Center by the end of 2011.

Mr. Sueo Machi, former Deputy General Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), currently the Asian Nuclear Cooperation Forum Coordinator (FNCA), spoke at the workshop as the role of the operator. Nuclear power plants are very important, requiring intensive training. He added: "In 2010, Japan trained Vietnam 50-60 turns of personnel in the field of nuclear power. At this point, Japan will continue to help Vietnam train human resources to ensure transport. safe nuclear power plant operation ".