The environmental conditions during downhole crude oil production can be very corrosive to the tubing string due to the presence of acid gases (such as CO2. H2S), high water cut and a large concentration of dissolved salts. It is well known that certain species of bacteria can exist downhole which can potentially cause microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) damage. While corrosion failures of tubing material due to acid gases etc., are quite well documented in the literature, instances of proven downhole MIC failures are rare.

During recent field trials for downhole corrosion inhibitors by the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), a leading Middle East oil producer, convincing evidence was obtained which showed that MIC attack can indeed take place under downhole production conditions. In support of the findings, the present paper will provide sessile bacteria analysis data as well as photographic documentation of MIC damage on coupons that were exposed under downhole operating conditions.

Subject
Water, Tools, Tubing, Corrosion morphology, Bacteria, Inhibitor treatment, Corrosion inhibitors, Corrosion data, Pitting, Corrosion coupons, Microbiologically influenced corrosion, Types of corrosion, Oil
Keywords:
Downhole corrosion, Microbiologically Induced Corrosion, Corrosion inhibitors
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2019
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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