Microorganisms can cause severe problems in oilfield water systems. This paper describes a
new quaternary phosphonium biocide based on tributyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride
(TTPC). Laboratory and field data has shown that TTPC is effective at low concentrations, is
fast acting and is effective against both acid producing and sulfate reducing bacteria. It has
out performed both glutaraldehyde and THPS in comparative biocidal tests giving complete kill
of aerobic and anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria in one hour at 5 and 50 ppm active,
respectively. Glutaraldehyde required >40 and 150 ppm active and THPS required 40 and
>200 active to match the performance of TTPC versus aerobic and anaerobic sulfate-reducing
bacteria, respectively. TTPC is compatible with oxidizing biocides, hydrogen sulfide and
oxygen scavengers and has excellent thermal stability which makes it broadly applicable to
oilfield water systems.