Widespread microbial activity has caused substantial recent corrosion problems throughout amajormature oil production operation. Control over this situationis gradually being gained through advances in several areas, These include improved understanding of the reservoir souring process, operational factors contributing to biocell formation/propagation, the role of’’bio-breeders “ in promoting corrosion and the kinetics of attack. Synergistic beneficial effects ofcleaning programs (pigging,
chemical treatments, etc. ) and biocide/corrosion inhibitor injections have now been well demonstrated, with corrosion rates reduced to nil in many places, even in significantly damaged systems. Feasibility studies of new “de-souring” technologies have been performed with encouraging results and these offer the potential for successful and cost-effective long-term control of microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) in several possible operational areas.