WHAT ARE YOUR

EXPECTATIONS
?
 Overview
I. Basic Microbiology
II. Bacteria Related Oilfield Problems
III. How to do a Survey?
IV. Biocide Product Line
V. Kill Tests
VI. Biocide Application Methods
VII. Bacterial Enumeration Methods
I
Microbiology
Microbiology . . .
the study of microscopic
forms of life
Microorganisms . . .

Microscopic forms of life

Types of Microorganisms


Viruses (SIMPLE)

Bacteria

Fungi

Algae

Protozoa (MORE COMPLEX)
Viruses
Bacteria

P ETR OL ITE
A Ba ke r Hughes co mpany
Aerobes = bacteria that “breathe” O2
APB = acid producing bacteria; “breathe” O2 and
other inorganic molecules; produce organic acids
SRB = sulfate reducing bacteria; utilize organic acids;
reduce sulfate to sulfide
OR
GA
AL NIC
CO AC
Aerobes HO ID
LS S

+
Cyanobacteria
 Iron Bacteria
• Gallionella, Leptothrix, Crenothrix,
Sphaerotilus
• Autotrophic – fix CO2 Water
containing Fe2O3 + bacteria + slime
• Anodic site (anaerobic): oxidize oxygen
Fe2+ to Fe3+ using oxygen
• Anaerobic
Cathodic site (aerobic): exposed Rust scale
surface tubercle
Cathode
• Notoriously slimy – create a Anode
Aerated
tubercle of biomass and ferric Unaerated
oxide under which the corrosion
occurs
• Corrosion independent of bacterial Electrical
metabolic activity current
– Only providing the covered surface
to create current and corrosion cell
Iron Bacteria
 Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria
• Microaerophilic (small amt of
oxygen)

• Fix CO2 or use low MW

organics as celllular structure

• Oxidize reduced sulfur

compounds (H2S, thiosulfate,
sulfur)

• Create elemental sulfur,

sulfate and sulfuric acid

• Creates large amount of

biomass- floats on surface of
tanks
Fungi
Algae
Protozoans and Metazoans
Where can the growth of these
microorganisms cause problems in
the petroleum industry?


Bacteria

Fungi

Algae
How do microorganisms enter an oil
field system?

Naturally present downhole

Any water source used for:
 Well drilling
 Well fracturing
 Well stimulation
 Well treating
 Secondary recovery
 Tertiary recovery

From the air
Morphology (Shape) of Bacteria

RODS
(Bacillli)

SPHERES
(Cocci)

SPIRALS
CURVED (Spirillum)
RODS
(Vibrio)
How Big is a Bacterium?

Virus- 0.05 to 1.0 micron

10 microns
Bacterium- 0.5 to 1.5 microns

Red Blood Cell- 5 microns

What nutrients are required for bacterial
growth?


Water - Hydrogen and Oxygen

Carbon

Nitrogen

Sulfur

Phosphorus
 What are the key environmental
factors that affect bacterial growth?
Environmental Factors

Oxygen concentration
re Temp

Temperature Pr es su
pH
pH

ity


Salin
Salinity

Flow


[O

Pressure

xy
t s
n

ge
e
tr i

n]

Turbulence Bacteria Nu

Nutrients
Oxygen Relationship

}
oxygen aerobic
GAB
some facultative
oxygen anaerobic
(incl. APB)

no anaerobic
oxygen (incl. SRB)
Temperature Relationship

thermophilic > 120oF; > 40oC

mesophilic 70o to 120oF; 20o to 40oC

psychrophilic -
15o to 70oF; 10o to 20oC
Bacteria Number
Bacterial Temperature Profile

Temperature
 pH
Measure of hydrogen ion concentration

Bacteria found in pH range 1 to 11

Most prefer pH range of 5.5 to 9

Maintain intracellular pH at about 7.5 by creating pH
gradients
 Salinity


Bacteria found in distilled water to saturated salt water

Halophiles (“salt-lovers”) - 15 to 30% TDS


Hypertonic - exterior environment > cell’s cytoplasm


Hypotonic - exterior environment < cell’s cytoplasm
Salt Water Fish in Salt Water

High concentration
of salts

High concentration
of salts
Salt Water Fish in Fresh Water

Low concentration
of salts
High concentration
of salts
Fresh Water Fish in Fresh Water

Low concentration
of salts

Low concentration
of salts
Fresh Water Fish in Salt Water

High concentration of salts

Low concentration of salts

Pressure


Bacteria resistant to pressure
extremes

Range from downhole to
atmospheric

Take sampling precautions
around 10,000 psi or greater
Bacteria have been found growing in various
environmental conditions:


pH 1 - 10

Salinity 0 - 360,000 ppm (36%)

Pressure atmospheric downhole

Temperature 14°F 230F (-10°C to 110°C)

Oxygen none little saturated
Turbulence SOLIDS

EXTRACELLULAR
SLIME

PLANKTONIC
PARTICLE BACTERIA
ASSOCIATED

SESSILE
PIPE WALL

PIT IN WALL SEDIMENT

Relative locations of three distinct bacterial

populations in a pipeline system containing
flowing water.
Diverse Bacterial Community
Biofilm in flowing system
 Bacterial Cell
Components
and Structures
 Sulfur Cell
Granule Membrane
Bacterial
Chromosome
Ribosomes

Transport
Protein

Cytoplasm

Cell
Wall

Pilus Storage Flagellum

Granule Capsule
Bacteria Growth Characteristics

Reproduce by binary fission - one
cell divides into two

Generation time – time it takes for
cell to divide

Exponential growth – every
division doubles cell numbers

Affected by temperature, salinity,
redox potential, pH, nutrients,
turbulence
Typical Growth Curve
Stationary
phase

Number of Bacteria
Log or
exponential Death
phase phase

Lag
phase

Time
..
BIOCIDE
 Survival Strategies
Endospore formation

Capsule (slime) Pili - attachment