The level of Inhibition of Microbial Functional Group Activities by Some Oxidizing Agents Commonly used as Biocides in Oil field Operations

Abstract

Aim: To determine the level of inhibition of microbial functional group activities such as the ability to reduce sulfate to sulfide by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), reduce nitrate to nitrite by the heterotrophic nitrate reducing bacteria (hNRB), and oxidize sulfide and reduce nitrate by sulfide oxidizing, nitrate reducing bacteria (so-NRB) by some oxidizing biocides like chlorine, bromine and ozone. Methodology: Samples of the oxidizing biocides were obtained from Microcheck and the inhibition of some functional group activities in produced and injection water samples were determined using CSB-K medium. Results: Ozone was found to be more effective than chlorine and bromine in the inhibition of functional group activities at lower concentrations. Conclusion: More research effort is required to see if ozone can work in synergy with other biocides to improve on its efficiency.