Abstract
One of the major challenges that face our national oil company is microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). In spite of biocide treatment in the facilities, the serial dilution results continue to confirm a high proliferation of sessile and planktonic bacteria in all the water handling systems. Planktonic and sessile samples from different gathering centers are now being analyzed for their molecular identities based on 16S rRNA characterization employing a molecular microbiological method (MMM) of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for enumeration of specific microorganisms. The results so far demonstrate the presence of ten principal groups of bacteria in brackish, effluent and sea water systems. These bacterial groups can be broadly classified as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. This paper focuses on the linkage between the findings of 16S rRNA characterization with the field analyses of the diverse microbial population based on Serial Dilution Test Method outlined in NACE TM0194-2004. The key issues relate to the linkage of sulfate reducing bacteria, acid producing bacteria, general aerobic, and general anaerobic bacteria with specific microorganisms. The ultimate goal is the mitigation of MIC damage in the operating facilities by targeting specific microorganisms, identified by 16S rRNA, through a judicious selection of treatment chemicals.
