Review and analysis of microbiologically influenced corrosion: The chemical environment in oil and gas facilities

Abstract

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a complex phenomenon requiring integrated knowledge of multiple disciplines to better manage and mitigate impacts. The chemical environment (e.g. produced water, soured oil) plays an important role in MIC. Chemical reactions and phase changes due to temperature, pressure, pH and to a lesser extent salinity, impact microbial activities which in turn influences the surrounding chemical environment leading to corrosion. The chemical–microbial interactions complicate the understanding of chemical species transformation and partitioning behaviour in gas, water and oil and subsequent impact on corrosion. In this paper, a review of the complex chemical transformations of chemical species resulting from biotic and abiotic processes are presented. These chemical species can have growth, inhibitory or synergistic effects on microbial activities causing MIC. Microbial activities are found to overlap with chemical/electrochemical processes leading to corrosion. The interaction between chemical environment, environmental factors, electrochemical and microbial processes has been explained with examples from the literature, to understand the contributory effects on MIC. This study will inform further investigation on the chemical environment impacting MIC and model development.