The souring of normally sweet production systems is a significant problem which can have implications to continued oilfield operations. Such problems are commonly approached by gathering of field sample and laboratory analysis or by simple test kits. This paper describes an alternative approach which includes the use of specialized field sampling and analysis procedures and portable equipment that can be move from site to site. A case study is presented that illustrates the use of these procedures and equipment. In the present case, it was learned that whereas souring was occurring in oil producing wells, no major infection of SRB was found. Evaluation of the injection wells indicated only limited inflection. Based on field studies it was found that the problem was likely due to maintenance of a sessile SRB population in the injection system due to a combination of GHB and accumulation of solids followed by growth of mesophilic SRB in the formation after injection. Remedial actions were developed based on field data and this mechanism of reservoir souring.

Subject
Water, Bacterial growth, Sand, Aquifers, Solids, Biofilms, Incubation, Souring, Produced water, Water injection, Deaerators, Surveys, Coupons
Keywords:
Souring, hydrogen sulfide, microbiology, biofilms, corrosion, MIC, field testing, water injection, oilfield
© 1997 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1997
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.