MIC Case Histories in Oil, Gas, and Associated Operations

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Since the commissioning of oil and gas systems, scientists, engineers, and microbiologists have explored the microbial communities and their subsequent effects on the integrity of operations and structures to ultimately design and operate effective monitoring and mitigation strategies. Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is one of several considerable concerns to the oil and gas industry. MIC is considered one of the most dominant failure modes 500in gas and oil operations, which has a high impact on integrity, operations, and maintenance costs. MIC failures result from accelerated deterioration driven by different indigenous microorganisms that naturally reside in the hydrocarbon and associated water systems. Different microorganisms thrive in oil, gas, and associated water injection systems because the essential elements for their lives are present in these environments. Microorganisms need four elements to thrive: carbon source, water, electron donor, and electron acceptor. Hydrocarbons and other organic compounds are an excellent carbon (food) source for a wide variety of microorganisms. The presence of microbial activities accelerates the rate of anodic and/or cathodic reactions. MIC is not a distinct type of corrosion, but rather is the synergistic interaction of microorganisms with resulting biofilms and metabolic products that enhance corrosion processes. In most cases, MIC morphologies are localized types of corrosion that manifest in pitting, crevice corrosion, under deposit corrosion, cracking, enhanced erosion–corrosion, and dealloying. MIC investigations are complex and involve interdisciplinary science that includes microbiology, metallurgy, and corrosion. This chapter presents several real-field cases related to MIC failures that were recorded and reported from oil and gas systems and associated operations. The cases present failures of various engineering materials under the effects of different biological and chemical factors. The data offered by this chapter provide a wealth of information that might guide field engineers in how to deploy systematic approach by utilizing the advanced microbiological and analytical methods to understand the nature of failure and to design appropriate mitigation measures.