Sulfate-dependant microbially induced corrosion of mild steel in the deep sea: a 10-year microbiome study

Background Metal corrosion in seawater has been extensively studied in surface and shallow waters. However, infrastructure is increasingly being installed in deep-sea environments, where extremes of temperature, salinity, and high hydrostatic pressure increase the costs and logistical challenges associated with monitoring corrosion. Moreover, there is currently only a rudimentary understanding of the role of microbially induced corrosion, which has rarely been studied in the deep-sea. We report here an integrative study of the biofilms growing on the surface of corroding mooring chain links that had been deployed for 10 years at ~2 km depth and developed a model of microbially induced corrosion based on flux-balance analysis. Methods We used optical emission spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of the mooring chain and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry coupled with scanning electron microscopy to identify corrosion products and ultrastructural features. The taxonomic structure of the microbiome was determined using shotgun metagenomics and was confirmed by 16S amplicon analysis and quantitative PCR of the dsrB gene. The functional capacity was further analyzed by generating binned, genomic assemblies and performing flux-balance analysis on the metabolism of the dominant taxa. Results The surface of the chain links showed intensive and localized corrosion with structural features typical of microbially induced corrosion. The microbiome on the links differed considerably from that of the surrounding sediment, suggesting selection for specific metal-corroding biofilms dominated by sulfur-cycling bacteria. The core metabolism of the microbiome was reconstructed to generate a mechanistic model that combines biotic and abiotic corrosion. Based on this metabolic model, we propose that sulfate reduction and sulfur disproportionation might play key roles in deep-sea corrosion. Conclusions The corrosion rate observed was higher than what could be expected from abiotic corrosion mechanisms under these environmental conditions. High corrosion rate and the form of corrosion (deep pitting) suggest that the corrosion of the chain links was driven by both abiotic and biotic processes. We posit that the corrosion is driven by deep-sea sulfur-cycling microorganisms which may gain energy by accelerating the reaction between metallic iron and elemental sulfur. The results of this field study provide important new insights on the ecophysiology of the corrosion process in the deep sea.

Decarbonization and Improved Energy Efficiency Using a Novel Nanocomposite Surface Treatment

Fouling of heat exchanger equipment through the formation and attachment of hard scale, microbially induced corrosion (MIC) products, or particulate erosion is a serious challenge to reliable production in the oil and gas industry. Exchangers which become fouled in this way perform 15-30% worse than their rated ability, requiring either constant intervention to clean away biofilms, continuous injection of biocides and corrosion inhibitors, or the regular plugging of tubes to prevent leaks, representing a significant operating expense and billions of dollars in lost production time. When an exchanger is unable to provide sufficient heat due to tube fouling, additional sources of heating must be utilized to make up for this deficit and to ensure that facility processes remain within design allowances. This need for supplemental heating is a significant source of carbon emissions in the industry and represents a significant obstacle towards decarbonization efforts. However, it also represents an economically attractive way to simultaneously lower emissions while also lowering a producer's cost per barrel. This work describes an alternate strategy to control and prevent fouling in heat exchangers, through the one-time application of an omniphobic (water- and oil-repelling) nano-surface treatment. Once applied to a heat exchanger, the extremely smooth and low-surface energy material greatly reduces the ability of MIC-causing bacteria to deposit and adhere to the surface. Because it imparts functionality to the surface itself, rather than simply function as a physical barrier, it enables long lasting protection which was validated under laboratory conditions in a pressurized autoclave, as well as two pilot demonstrations. Results from both the laboratory and field evaluations of the treatment's promise showed that treated surfaces showed a corrosion rate over 36-times lower when compared to untreated surfaces, while also completely arresting the formation of corrosion pitting, tube fouling, and erosion of the tube interior. These field-validated results were then applied to the observed heating deficit of a proposed deployment site, resulting in calculated carbon emissions savings of up to 17,000 Tons CO2 per year.

Risk Mitigation and Mapping on Tubular System During Microbial Huff and Puff Injection Coupled with Lean Six Sigma Approach at Field X

Increasing demand of oil in Indonesia is in contrast with the decreasing oil production every year. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has become one of the most favorable method in maximizing the production of mature fields with various applications and research has been done on each type, especially microbial EOR (MEOR). “X” field is a mature oil field located in South Sumatra that has been actively producing for more than 80 years and currently implementing MEOR using huff and puff injection. However, there are some potential risks regarding MEOR processes that may inhibit the production by damaging the well’s tubular system, particularly microbially induced corrosion (MIC). This study reviews the risk mitigation and mapping to prevent corrosion on tubular system during MEOR huff and puff processes, equipped with the approach of Lean Six Sigma.The mitigation and mapping process follow the framework of define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC). It starts with defining the problem using supplier-input-process-output-customer (SIPOC) diagram after all the field data necessary has already been collected, then measuring the corrosion rate model using ECE™ software as well as conducting sensitivity analysis of the fluid rates. The analyze phase involves constructing fishbone diagram to identify the root causes, comparison with industry’s specification and standard, and analysis of chromium effect on corrosion rates. Further simulation is conducted to support the analysis and to ensure the improvements and sustainability of the design selection.Based on the simulation results, the normal corrosion rate ranging from 0.0348 – 0.039 mm/year and the pH is around 4.03 – 5.25, while the ±30% fluid rate sensitivity results shown that the change of water flowrate is more sensitive than oil flowrate with the corrosion rate approximately 0.0275 – 0.048 mm/year. The fishbone diagram identifies that material selection and environmental condition as the main root causes, then corrosion resistant alloy (CRA) is used in the tubing string to prevent corrosion in the future by using super 13Cr martensitic steel (modified 2Ni-5Mo-13Cr) as the most suitable material. Further simulation on chromium content supports the selection that corrosion rate can be reduced by adding the chromium content in the steel. The completion design is then capped with choosing the Aflas® 100S/100H fluoro-elastomer as the optimum material for packer and sealing. Overall, the Lean Six Sigma approach has been successfully applied to help the analysis in this study.

Sulfate-dependant microbially induced corrosion of mild steel in the deep-sea: a 10-year microbiome study

Background Metal corrosion in seawater has been extensively studied in surface and shallow waters. However, infrastructure is increasingly being installed in deep-sea environments, where extremes of temperature, salinity and high hydrostatic pressure increase the costs and logistical challenges associated with monitoring corrosion. Moreover, there is currently only a rudimentary understanding of the role of microbially induced corrosion, which has rarely been studied in the deep-sea. We report here an integrative study of the biofilms growing on the surface of corroding mooring chain links that had been deployed for 10 years at ~2 km depth and developed a model of microbially induced corrosion based on flux-balance analysis. Methods We used optical emission spectrometry to analyse the chemical composition of the mooring chain and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry coupled with scanning electron microscopy to identify corrosion products and ultrastructural features. The taxonomic structure of the microbiome was determined using shotgun metagenomics and was confirmed by 16S amplicon analysis and quantitative PCR of the dsrB gene. The functional capacity was further analysed by generating binned, genomic assemblies and performing flux-balance analysis on the metabolism of the dominant taxa. Results The surface of the chain links showed intensive and localised corrosion with structural features typical of microbially induced corrosion. The microbiome on the links differed considerably from that of the surrounding sediment, suggesting selection for specific metal-corroding biofilms dominated by sulfur-cycling bacteria. The core metabolism of the microbiome was reconstructed to generate a mechanistic model that combines biotic and abiotic corrosion. Based on this metabolic model, we propose that sulfate reduction and sulfur disproportionation might play key roles in deep-sea corrosion. Conclusions The corrosion rate observed was higher than what could be expected from abiotic corrosion mechanisms under these environmental conditions. High corrosion rate and the form of corrosion (deep pitting) suggest that the corrosion of the chain links was driven by both abiotic and biotic processes. We posit that the corrosion is driven by deep-sea sulfur-cycling microorganisms which may gain energy by accelerating the reaction between metallic iron and elemental sulfur. The results of this field study provide important new insights on the ecophysiology of the corrosion process in the deep sea.