TAQA is an international operating energy- and water company located in Abu Dhabi. TAQA is Arabic for energy. The company engages in generating energy, oil and gas production, water desalination, pipelines and gas storage. Safe and good functioning of pipelines is evidently very important to the company.
Problems with water injected sources
In 2007 TAQA has invested in the Rijn oilfield and restarted production at the oilfield, located near the coast of Rotterdam, which had not been used for 12 years. In 2010 the injection wells have been provided with new pipelines. To win oil, water is injected into the injection wells to build up pressure in the oilfield, in order to pump oil. At certain intervals during the production process the injection wells remain unused. Since 2010 no seawater has been injected into the injection wells. Only production water is used in combination with anti corrosion products. Pretty soon after commissioning the injection wells, the injection performance continuously decreased. Additionally, measurements showed corrosion defects. During inspection, peculiar shaped bulges were detected on the inside of the pipelines.
TAQA commissioned Microbial Analysis as a part of a multidisciplinary team (TU Delft, Corrosion Laboratory B.V en SGS) to research the cause of the problems and to determine the probability of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). In addition to determining whether or not the problems are due to MIC corrosion, we investigated the underlying mechanisms, in order to help TAQA to take the right precautions in the future. For this investigation, three pipelines were removed from the seabed and samples for microbial, mineralogical, and chemical analyses were taken.
The pipelines have been investigated using various methods:
The detected bulges were visually inspected. All three pipelines were covered with these bulges. It was concluded that the bulges were so-called tubercles. The formation of tubercles is a typical indication of MIC corrosion.
The samples were analysed for the presence of microorganisms that are known for promoting microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).
The test results showed that the samples contain high levels of MIC related bacteria and archaea. Subsequently, Microbial Analysis identified by means of the 16S amplicon sequencing, which kinds of bacteria and archaea were present. Striking is the high level of sulphur related bacteria. Furthermore, the results showed so-called methane producing archaea. Both groups of microorganisms are strongly related to MIC corrosion processes.
Determination of the composition of the corrosion product gives information about the probability that microorganisms are causing the problems. This research showed that the samples of the corrosion products from the pipelines contained high concentrations of iron, in the form of iron sulphites and iron carbonates. Particularly the presence of iron sulphites is an indication for MIC corrosion.
It has been assessed whether the water in the pipelines contains the necessary nutrients to make microbiological activity possible. Analysis of water samples showed that the presence of phosphor and sulphate, and the acidity of the water are favourable for microbial growth.
Conclusion
The research concludes that the primary cause of the problems with the injection wells is microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). The microbiological activity led to the growth of tubercles, which resulted in a decrease of injection performance. The corrosion is mainly caused by sulphur related bacteria, which, among others, produce the corrosive acid H2S. Production water most likely stimulates the growth of the bacteria. Furthermore, it seems highly possible that MIC organisms may have become established during the periods that the injection wells were not used. Avoiding long intervals of the standstill of injection wells could be used as a basis for preventing problems with the injection pressure due to MIC corrosion.
Do you want to know more, please contact Elsemiek Croese,
croese@micorbialanalysis.com
