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Strategies for prevention and control of microbial souring in natural gas storage reservoirs and produced water systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:377197
; ;  [1]
  1. Bioindustrial Technologies, Inc., Georgetown, TX (United States)

Hydrogen sulfide production (souring) in natural gas storage reservoirs and produced water systems is a problem that can lead to operational shutdown when environmental and safety standards are exceeded. Systems affected by microbial souring have historically been treated using biocides that target the general microbial community. Recent strategies have involved nutritional augmentation of the sour environment and/or use of low toxicity chemicals to remediate souring without incurring significant environmental risk. In this paper, discussion is provided on practical approaches to prevent or delay microbial souring and diagnosing the cause of existing souring problems. Case histories on conventional and innovative treatment are described. The conventional treatment involved the use of glutaraldehyde in a natural gas aquifer-storage reservoir and demonstrated that treatment success relies heavily on the manner in which the biocide is applied. The innovative treatments involved elemental iodine applied to two natural gas storage wells and nitrate applied to a surface produced-water system.

Research Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Amoco Production Co., Houston, TX (United States); Conoco, Inc., Stamford, CT (United States)
OSTI ID:
377197
Report Number(s):
CONF-9509296--; ON: DE96001221
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English