Induction of Souring and Corrosion by Anaerobic Microbial Activities in Offshore and Nearshore Oil-Producing Facilities in Nigeria

Abstract

Anaerobic microbiological activities of two oil-producing facilities were determined by monitoring microbial activities in CSB-K medium and MPN counts of SRB in API RP-38 broth medium and APB in ZPRA-5 broth medium. Corrosion measurements were also carried out by weight loss method. Our investigation revealed that microbial activities at the near-shore facility were dominated by both sulfate reduction and methanogenesis with potential for souring and corrosion, while that of offshore was dominated by sulfate reduction, but the potential for souring and corrosion were reduced by frequent application of a combination of biocides by the operators.

Keywords:

• anaerobic microbiological activities
• SRB
• APB
• souring
• corrosion