This paper discusses the development of a methodology for monitoring and assessing the risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in individual crude oil pipelines. In order to perform such a monitoring in a thorough and cost-efficient manner, laboratory kits and protocols for detection and enumeration of MIC-related microorganisms by Molecular Microbiology Methods (MMM) must be customized for the crude oil pipelines system.

This research is set to (i) develop protocols for cell- and DNA extraction from crude oil samples, (ii) compare the microbial community structure in samples of crude and water from crude oil pipelines, and (iii) design MMM assays suitable for surveillance and troubleshooting related to MIC in crude oil pipelines.

Together, these activities outline a roadmap for the implementation of MMM-based MIC surveillance in crude and water pipelines as well as other industrial installations. It is expected that the investment necessary for this implementation will be returned manifold through early-warning and a more focused and efficient mitigation of MIC.

Subject
Water, Extraction, Pipelines, Surfactants, Extracts, Filters, Bacteria, Mixing, Crude, Microorganisms, Microbiologically influenced corrosion, Samples, Oil
Keywords:
microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), crude oil pipeline, internal corrosion, microbial community structure, molecular microbiology methods (MMM), corrosion, bacteria, microorganisms, DNA extraction
© 2012 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).
2012
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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