Malignant Microbes May Sour Reservoirs

Abstract

Injecting seawater into reservoirs can promote souring by microorganisms with remarkable powers of survival

A wide range of bacteria can grow and survive within all areas of oil production facilities, including water injection plant, the reservoir itself, and in the topside production facilities and pipelines. Many of these are nuisance organisms because they cause blockage of pipes and the production of toxic and corrosive gaseous by-products.