Aggressive moves counter SRB in flooded subsea pipeline

摘要

Aggressive applications of biocide, use of hydrogen sulfide scavengers, and multiple pig runs can quickly eradicate even major infestations of sulfate-reducing bacteria in a repaired subsea natural gas pipeline following seawater incursion. Sample analysis made it possible to understand conditions within the pipeline and measure the treatment's effectiveness, allowing Williams Midstream to regain control of internal corrosion mechanisms and quickly eradicate microbial populations, minimizing their threat to pipeline integrity. This article provides an overview of the pipeline repairs, initiatives to dewater the pipelines, biocide and hydrogen sulfide scavenger treatments, and the pigging program, all of which were implemented to reestablish control over sulfate-reducing bacteria, and the H2S they generated. Through the rest of 2009 and early 2010, continued serial dilution and adenylyl sulfate reductase studies show microbial populations have remained below detectable levels, even after biocide residuals approached zero.