Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) or bacterial corrosion can be a major problem
in process equipment exposed to different types of waters in the production, processing and
handling of crude oil and gas. Hence, there is a constant need to monitor bacterial
proliferation in such systems in order to take remedial action. The most commonly used
methodology to determine bacterial contamination is the Serial Dilution Technique. However,
this method though very reliable, is quite involved and time consuming. Several commercial
Bacteria Field Test Kits are currently available which are simple to use and require much less
time to obtain results. The present paper discusses the findings of an investigation that was
conducted to assess the advantages and limitations of some of these field kits compared to the
Serial Dilution Technique.