Injection of nitrate or nitrite into oil reservoirs can reduce the sulfide concentration through the activity of nitrate-reducing, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. These inhibit sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), but appear to contribute also to increased corrosion risk. Combinations of nitrate or nitrite with other inhibitors can work synergistically in inhibiting SRB activity.
Keywords: souring, SRB, nitrate injection, nitrite inhibition, corrosion, molybdate