Preventing and managing MIC for the oil and gas industry in collaboration with Curtin University

Microbial induced corrosion (MIC) is a phenomenon by which metal forms metal corrosions by a process initiated with bacterial biofilm. It is very common to occur in sewage or different water pipes like the ones used in oil and gas industries. Current techniques to validate the existence of MIC start with identifying the microorganisms present. The focus of this research is on the following types: general heterotrophic bacteria, acid-producing bacteria, iron-reducing bacteria, iron-oxidizing bacteria, and sulfate-producing microbes. Culture-based enumeration and luminescence readings were used to identify the bacteria present in different water samples (seawater, and process water), in addition, to quantify the bacterial activity within the water sample. This project aims to quantify and characterize the bacteria causing MIC in the water pipes of oil and gas industries that would then be used to innovate preventative approaches.

 

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  • Author

    Sara Fakhroo

  • Advisor

    Annette Vincent