OILFIELD MICROBIOLOGY Protecting your assets from microbiologically influenced corrosion
Applying oilfield microbiology
is crucial to the success of oil and gas projects. The intricacies of microbiological life and its myriad permutations mean that an ongoing challenge exists to understand, monitor and mitigate its negative effects.
Oilfield Microbiology Reservoir souring also has the potential
Intertek’s oilfield microbiology services are to jeopardise oil and gas projects and designed to safeguard your assets. From understanding its mechanics is key to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), mitigating risks such as diminished oil quality analysis of pigging returns, reservoir souring and the toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide. prediction and mitigation, microbial growth Biological sulfide production in sweet media, biocide and chemical testing and oil and gas reservoirs causes a host of offshore water and legionella management problems including permeability impairment to microbiological surveys, research and in production and injection wells, fouling of development and training, Intertek experts production and injection facilities and wells, present clear, concise explanations of souring of produced fluids and increased microbiological activity in the oilfield. corrosion. Microorganisms are ubiquitous on the earth’s The impact of reservoir souring is significant surface and in the earth’s crust. The impact and includes decreased revenue and of microbial activity on the global oil and gas increased processing costs as well as raised industry is significant and wide-reaching, and health, safety and environmental risks. presents the industry with both challenges Maintenance and equipment upgrading costs and opportunities. can also occur as increasingly sour fluids are Challenges and Opportunities produced from facilities designed for sweet The introduction of sulphate-reducing oil or gas. bacteria or nutrients into oil or gas reservoirs Further microbiological challenges are during field operations such as drilling, presented by the maintenance of offshore fracturing or water injection can cause health and hygiene. Potable water testing MIC, reservoir souring and plugging of and the undertaking of legionella risk the formation or production facilities by assessments, which is required by law, are biological material. Microbial Enhanced Oil measures necessary to safeguard employee Recovery (MEOR) holds the promise of well-being. increased production from mature fields, and Biogenic gas reservoirs augment the methanogenesis offers the possibility of gas production of natural gas and are production from immobile hydrocarbons. opportunities for increased production using MIC is a potentially catastrophic result of petroleum microbiology. unchecked bacterial activity and can seriously compromise the integrity of materials and important infrastructure. OILFIELD MICROBIOLOGY
Intertek Services and Solutions Our services include:
Through decades of innovation To investigate, discuss and address your • Field sampling oilfield microbiology needs, you need • Water Injection systems evaluations and the development of new • Reservoir souring studies an experienced, reliable partner to offer technologies, Intertek has world-class knowledge and support in both • Corrosion monitoring programmes established a global reputation onshore and offshore environments. - Biocide evaluation and efficacy for delivering trusted and reliable Through decades of experience and • Biofilm studies • MIC studies oilfield microbiology services. independent research and development, • Hydrotesting, wet lay-up and mothballing Intertek provides a complete range of oilfield With centres of excellence and microbiology solutions designed to comply • Analysis of pipeline pigging returns • Molecular microbiology cutting-edge laboratories around with legislation and best practice. • Treatment regimes the world, our specialists and Intertek’s microbiologists, chemists, • Specialised training in oilfield microbiology facilities are strategically placed geologists and engineers are experts in • Products their fields, possessing capabilities in areas - Growth Media for Quantification of to meet the needs of the oil and such as modelling, risk assessments and Corrosion-Associated Microbes gas industry. the development of efficient management - Sidestream® Biofilm Monitors programmes.