Abstract
The occurrence of sulfide in gas wells is a major problem for the oil and gas industry. Sulfide causes production and revenue loss, increased corrosion, and is a serious environmental hazard. A new low cost technology has been field demonstrated which both remediates sulfide in oil and gas wells and additionally prevents the ongoing biogenic formation of sulfide in the well. This treatment system is based on the biocompetitive exclusion of the sulfide generating (sulfate reducing bacteria) microbial population by its replacement with a beneficial indigenous microbial consortium. This enhancement of an already existing microbial population requires only the addition of a selected nutrient salts formulation. The inorganic salts composition is tailored to maximize the treatment response and minimize treating levels. Treatment of producing wells with low concentrations of these water soluble nutrients has shown a long term control of sulfide in field tests sponsored by the Department of Energy. Levels of sulfide can be reduced to zero and can be maintained at low levels with periodic treatments. The effectiveness of these treatments as demonstrated by sulfide reduction measurements is illustrated by field examples. The technology offers oil and gas producers a new low cost methodology to successfully treat wells with sulfide problems.
