Endospore-producing bacteria are often detected in oilfield produced waters via 16S rRNA identification. Although prevalent in oilfield brines little is known about their significance and potential implications on microbial control efforts. The presence of noxious chemicals and subsequent chemical damage can force a capable cell into an endospore a dormant structure that preserves the cellular genetic material. As extracellular conditions improve such as the dilution or removal of antimicrobials the endospore again becomes a vegetative cell. These endospores are largely impervious to and are not readily eradicated by antimicrobial agents. Here commonly used microbiocide chemistries are applied in differing concentrations and contact times in order to evaluate the cellular response scored as cell survival endospore formation or cell death. Outcomes were determined utilizing the schaeffer-fulton method for endospore staining and a fluorescence assay of bacterial viability based upon membrane integrity. Treatments are applied to cultured Bacillus subtilis the laboratory model organism commonly utilized to study endospore formation as well as unadulterated produced water containing members of the Phylum Firmicutes including the endospore capable Geobacillus stearothermophilus. Results indicate that the presence of a large population of endospore-forming bacteria may explain the failure of some microbiocide applications.

Pipeline coatings operating in salt flats have a tremendous responsibility to protect the pipe in a very aggressive environment. When the coating shows a weak spot and fails the carbon steel pipe will corrode until a repair is performed. However many repairs in salt flat regions have seen disbonding or other issues due to high salt concentration. The following paper is an overview of the development and testing of a composite repair system that has been designed to handle these harsh conditions. The results include a one-year field trial in a salt flat environment with no signs of degradation as well as a general summary of the issues seen in salt flat areas. Whether a serious repair is needed or just an aggressive re-coat is wanted it is vital to ensure that the repair lasts a long time.

Cathodic protection (CP) systems are often a vital component of integrity management programs for oil sands facilities. The electrical components of these systems must be designed and installed in accordance with regional electrical codes such as the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) or the National Electrical Code (NEC). The CEC and NEC include limited direction on the electrical requirements for CP systems. This paper examines installations of typical CP components and suggests ways in which the CEC and NEC can be interpreted. It is demonstrated that interpretation of electrical requirements for CP systems can be difficult. To help improve compliance and understanding future revisions of these codes should provide additional guidance for the design and installation of CP systems.