Examining How To Utilize Microbial Probiotic Solutions To Treat Paraffin, Scale And Hydrogen Sulfide As An Alternative To Chemical Solutions Throughout North America
MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE OIL FIELD Nature of the Products History of the Products Application of the Products Paraffin Scale H 2 S Case Histories
NATURE OF MICROBIAL CULTURE PRODUCTS/TECHNOLOGIES Living product containing microorganisms, nutrients, salts, and water or nutrients that stimulate indigenous well microorganisms Typically liquid, saline based product although variations occur dry products that are grown in the field Specific gravities slightly > 1.0 Microbial counts > 10 7 /milliliter Typically not genetically engineered
NATURE OF MICROBIAL CULTURE PRODUCTS/TECHNOLOGIES Microbial content is typically a mixture of bacterial or archaeal species targeted for a specific function (paraffin, scale, asphaltene,etc.) Quality controlled for microbial content, bad bacteria absence, etc. Grown by fermenter technology Lot controlled with shelf life Microbial counts > 10 7 /milliliter
THE HISTORY OF USING MICROBES IN THE OIL FIELD First patents in 1952 (Claude ZoBell-Scripps Institute Research in 1970s and 80s-Federal and Privateemphasis on enhanced oil recovery MEOR 1986 First commercially successful product for paraffin control 1990s Products for scale, corrosion, H 2 S control 1990s Production stimulation 2000s Emphasis on Service
SAFETY ASPECT OF MICROBIAL CULTURE PRODUCTS Low intrinsic toxicity. Typically LD 50 >50,000 ppm toxicity in standard EPA water toxicity tests. Many oil field chemicals more toxic by 50 to 1000 fold. Low environmental impact. Soap and water clean up for spills Disposal down sanitary sewer No need for respirator or elaborate safety equipment for use or storage
HOW ARE MICROBIAL PRODUCTS APPLIED? Similar to chemicals batch or continuous treatments down backside or can be squeezed in the formation for well treatment Displacement with produced water, KCl solutions Shut-in may be required on a case by case basis Surface equipment treated in a similar fashion (tanks, flow lines, separators)
OTHER APPLICATIONS BESIDES PARAFFIN, SCALE, H 2 S Well Stimulation Asphaltene Control Frac Damage Repair EOR Waterflooding Tank Cleaning Bioremediation
PARAFFIN CONTROL WITH MICROBIAL CULTURE PRODUCTS MECHANISMS Similar to Chemicals in Many Respects Biochemical production of solvents such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones. Biosurfactants (typically trehalose glycolipids)remove paraffin deposits and reduce paraffin aggregates Unique microbial aspect metabolism of paraffin paraffin is degraded by biochemical processes Small chemical factory at the site of wax deposition
PARAFFIN CONTROL WITH MICROBIAL CULTURE PRODUCTS Eliminates the need for chemical treatments, hot oil and hot water treatments Reduces the frequency of workover units. Reduces electricity costs by reducing drag on pumps due to paraffin and by reducing oil viscosity Shifts hydrocarbon fraction to produce lighter, more profitable oil
EFFECTS ON OIL PROPERTIES Reduced pour / cloud point Decreased viscosity Elevation in API gravity Increase in volatile content Lower interfacial tensions
SCALE CONTROL WITH MICROBIAL CULTURE PRODUCTS Similar to Chemicals Chelating activity produced by microorganisms (dicarboxylic acids) Scaling reactants (cations and anions) are used in microbial metabolism and removed from the water environment Biosurfactants prevent scale aggregation and set down. Chemical factory at the site where scale deposition occurs
H S S CONTROL WITH MICROBIAL CULTURE PRODUCTS Probiotic good bacteria colonize well and surface equipment displacing populations of sulfate reducing acid producing bacteria by competing for food sources and changing metabolic environment. Problem of microbial resistance to biocides and difficulty of treating SRBs and APBs in biofilms is eliminated. Offers possibility of a permanent solution to H 2 S and MIC (microbial induced corrosion) problems.
CASE HISTORIES MICROBIAL CONTROL OF PARAFFIN, SCALE AND CORROSION
Case Studies: Permian Basin #1
Case Studies: Permian Basin #2
PARAFFIN CONTROL CASE HISTORY 1 Operating Group A % Paraffin Over Treatment Time 5 " 4.5 " 4 " 3.5 " Lease"2" Linear"(Lease"2)" Average'Paraffin'(%)' 3 " 2.5 " 2 " 1.5 " 1 " 0.5 " 0 " Aug,13" Oct,13" Dec,13" Feb,14" Apr,14" Jun,14" Aug,14" Oct,14"
PARAFFIN CONTROL CASE HISTORY 2 PERMIAN BASIN
Case History #1 Scale Control Oklahoma Waterflood Sample 3 weeks treatment
Microbial Culture Scale Control Case History Oklahoma Water Floods Incompatible produced waters before comingling with and without microbial culture product. 400X magnification. Untreated scale Calcium sulfate Product Treated Barium sulfate
Permian Basin # 1: H2S Control
Permian Basin # 2: H 2 S Control 18,000 16,000 14,000 H2S$(ppm)$ 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 10 /1/14" 12 /1/14" 2 /1/15" 4 /1/15"
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