Biocides are used in the offshore oil and gas industry as well as water treatment industry to maximize production by protecting assets through the inhibition of microbial induced biofilm and corrosion. It is used in small amounts to control the growth of bacteria and other harmful organisms in the wellbore. Protection of equipment and an increase in the operational efficiency by controlling microbially induced corrosion are necessary.
- Biocides effectively treat bacterial metabolisms such as acids, scales, slime, and poisonous gases. Biocides are also useful to protect the top structure from rusting.
- Biocides work effectively to treat pipelines from bacterial growth.
- Biocides are recommended to use during hydrostatic testing to prevent the internal equipment from corrosion.
- The chemical is used in small quantities while water is injected to the wellbore.
Inorganic Category
- Inorganic biocides are cost-effective disinfectants used in all types of industrial systems mainly against planktonic microorganisms.
- The inorganic microbicides include: Hypochlorite, Peroxide, Metals such as coper, tin
Organic Category
- Organic biocides are used in combination with inorganics, or as the sole treatment.
- They are less corrosive, have excellent disinfectant properties and can treat both plank-tonic and sessile microorganisms.
- Many anti biofoulants are among the organic biocides.
- Aldehydes
- Organic nitrogen compounds
- Organic sulfur compounds
- Organic phosphorus compounds and others
Applications
- The products designed for water and gas application form water- soluble, low-toxicity, biodegradable compounds which are non-corrosive and which will not release hydrogen sulfide even over extremes of pH variation.
- Products destined for use in oil systems can be pumped directly into the stream. They are completely oil-soluble and yield oil-soluble biologically friendly reaction by-products.
- The most common application for H2S Scavengers is direct injection into a wet gas stream, frequently at the outlet to the three-phase separation train.
