Abstract
The history, outline of the basic technology, and the major contemplated uses of AEC's Plowshare project are described. The article points out the major safety problems involved, such as the tritium level in recovered natural gas (measurements by LRL of the Gasbuggy experiment), and activity release from nuclear excavation (project SEDAN data). Drawing information mostly from publicly available data, the article concisely outlines this newly emerging technology, its scope and its economics. The reason for the sudden increased of public interest in this subject is ascribed to the recent international discussions on the free access to this technology, which has finally culminated in the Article V of the Non Proliferation Treaty.
