Tests of biocides and H2S scavengers as additives to drilling muds and fracturing fluids

Abstract

The article presents the results of studies on substances with a biocidal effect in terms of their possible use as additives to drilling muds and fracturing fluids. The aim of the work was to identify the most effective biocides by examining their action on aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), and a consortium of microorganisms. Various chemicals have been considered, due to a constant and overriding goal to find the one with the highest activity, and above all, the ones that have not yet been tested. Particular attention was paid to substances that, apart from known biocidal properties, have also the ability to neutralize hydrogen sulfide, and to reduced sulfur compounds (H2S scavengers), and the so-called “green biocides”, i.e. those that are considered safe for the environment. Most of the tested biocidal agents were effective against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, while 10 out of 12 showed good or very good activity against SRB (low MIC and MBC values), including 3 out of 4 H2S scavengers. On the other hand, only some biocidal agents proved to be effective against fungi and microbial consortium; among them were agents containing quaternary ammonium compounds (Bardac LF and Barquat CB-80), triazine derivatives (Biostat and Petrosweet HSW 82165) and DBNPA (Biopol C-103L). Bardac LF and Barquat CB-80, together with the mixture of Grotan OX and Preventol GDA 50, upon introduction to the drilling mud and fracturing fluid, were superior over other biocidal agents (Biostat, Petrosweet HSW 82165 and Biopol C-103L), showing the full activity at 800 ppm. Environmentally friendly biocide Aquacar THPS 75 appeared to be the least effective.