51314-3879-Determining Effective Antimicrobial Treatments for Long-Term Protection of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

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Product Number: 51314-3879-SG

ISBN: 3879 2014 CP

Author: Jon Raymond

Publication Date: 2014

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Hydraulic fracturing has rapidly become a critical process in the global energy market for the efficient extraction of oil and natural gas reserves from low-permeability reservoirs. A particular concern during implementation of this advanced technology is the utilization and management of large water volumes which if left unchecked permit the rapid accumulation of microbial contaminants resulting in reduced oil and gas quality and recovery. Consequences of unrestrained microbial growth in top-side water sources and the downhole environment due to the absence or inadequate use of antimicrobial treatments include hydrocarbon souring metal corrosion and formation damage (plugging).Conventional antimicrobial treatments for hydraulic fracturing fluids flow-back water and produced water include chemistries such as glutaraldehyde tetrakis-(hydroxymethyl)-phosphonium sulfate (THPS) and quaternary ammonium compounds. While the rapid microbial kill efficacy of these biocides in top-side water sources are efficiently demonstrated by traditional “bug-bottle” methodology the long-term potential for protection of the oil and gas reservoirs from microbial-induced damage has received limited attention. A stringent two-stage laboratory method has been developed to assess rapid and long-term biocide efficacy ranging from the mild top-side conditions of water sources in drilling and fracturing operations to the harsh conditions of the downhole environment. Specifically water sources used in stimulation and fracturing operations were treated with various concentrations of biocide combinations and incubated at elevated temperatures during the course of the laboratory experimental procedure. At predetermined time points during the two-month test the heat-aged samples were challenged with oil and gas field microbial contaminants (acid-producing sulfate-reducing and iron-reducing bacteria) to evaluate extended biocide performance in water chemistries and temperatures that mimicked the downhole environment. This paper discusses a summary of effective biocide treatments for the holistic protection of hydraulic fracturing operations from microbial contamination.