Microbiological Influence Corrosion Study on Offshore pipelines

The microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a failure process that affects the oil and gas industry, particularly during hydrocarbons extraction, transport and storage. Microbiological Influence corrosion (MIC) evaluation has been normally based on microbiological tests.Another alternative method used for the evaluation is the electrochemical technique. This is used as the criteria for their evaluation.
In this study, two different laboratory techniques, the Sulphate Reduce Bacteria Test (SRB) Test and General Heterotrophic Bacteria (GHB) Test ere used, in order to determine the existence of SRB and GHB bacteria. The bacteria were obtained from a gas or oil transporting pipeline, located in the offshore platform. The bacteria population growth was found to be different for each microorganism. Moreover, long incubation times were required to reach the maximum concentration bacteria.
The weight loss of corrosion cause by SRB was also calculated by a running the weight loss measurement experiment. At the end of the experiment, different culture media would give different corrosion rate for each specimen. The culture media which containing Sulphate Reduce Bacteria clearly show that it is significant in causing corrosion. Prevention of MIC requires frequent mechanical surface cleaning and treatment with biocides to control populations of bacteria. Biocide treatments without cleaning may not be effective because organisms sheltered beneath deposits may not be reached by the injected chemicals.