Present Status of Souring in the North Sea

Abstract

Present Status of Souring in the North Sea

Reservoir souring has been an increasing phenomenon in North Sea oil operations. Some fields have produced ‘sweet’ crude with no signs of hydrogen sulphide generation after many years. Some fields initially produced ‘sweet’ crude but, after a period of water-flooding, sulphide concentrations steadily increased. Other fields were initially sulphur sour. The importance and extent of sulphide souring in the North Sea will be reviewed by this paper, together with current strategies for souring control and the involvement of bacteria in the souring practice.