Addressing the Challenges of the Midstream Oil and Gas Sector
The midstream sector is the vital link between the exploration and production of oil and gas and the delivery of refined products to market. It involves the transportation, storage, and distribution of crude oil, natural gas, and their derivatives, connecting upstream extraction with downstream refining. However, midstream operations are not without challenges, particularly as companies grapple with aging infrastructure, performance loss, and unplanned downtime. The occurrence of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) can exacerbate these issues and can have significant financial and environmental implications.
Aging Infrastructure: A Growing Concern
One of the most pressing issues facing midstream operations is the deterioration of aging pipelines and storage systems. Over 62% of domestic pipelines are more than 21 years old, and many were constructed decades before current technology and safety standards were in place. Maintaining these older systems requires constant investment in repairs and upgrades. This has forced many companies to prioritize maintaining what they have over expanding capacity, delaying pipeline expansions or new construction.
As pipelines age, they become more susceptible to failure, with corrosion being a major threat. The consequences of infrastructure failure can be catastrophic, leading to environmental spills, production slowdowns, and regulatory penalties. The need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of aging infrastructure cannot be overstated, especially in an industry where safety and reliability are paramount.
The Impact of Corrosion and Performance Loss
Corrosion is a key factor contributing to performance loss in the midstream sector, and it poses a persistent threat to pipelines, storage tanks, and other equipment. Corrosion can occur internally and externally, with MIC being a particularly damaging form. MIC is caused by microorganisms that thrive in the conditions found within oil and gas pipelines, accelerating the breakdown of metal surfaces.
When corrosion isn’t properly addressed, it can result in reduced flow rates, costly repairs, and even asset destruction. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that corrosion-related maintenance and performance improvements can increase production output by 25%, reduce maintenance costs by 30%, and significantly cut equipment downtime. For midstream operators, controlling corrosion is essential to optimizing asset performance and extending the life of their infrastructure.
Unplanned Downtime: A Costly Setback
Unplanned downtime is one of the most expensive challenges faced by midstream oil and gas companies. Just 1% of unplanned downtime can cost an oil and gas company over $5 million per year. These interruptions not only hinder productivity but can also result in equipment damage, environmental risks, and lost revenue. In the worst-case scenario, unplanned downtime can cause incidents that severely impact human lives, damage ecosystems, and invite increased scrutiny from regulators.
With aging infrastructure and corrosion contributing to unplanned downtime, midstream companies must prioritize proactive maintenance and monitoring solutions to minimize interruptions and keep operations running smoothly. Reducing downtime means not only saving money but also protecting the environment and maintaining public trust.
Safeguarding Midstream Operations with Microbial Insights
While the midstream sector faces significant challenges, advanced diagnostics can help operators mitigate these risks and extend the lifespan of their assets. Microbial Insights offers state-of-the-art Molecular Microbiological Methods (MMMs) to identify and quantify MIC-associated microorganisms that contribute to corrosion. Our precise, unbiased data allows companies to make informed decisions about corrosion management and asset maintenance, ensuring a more efficient and reliable operation.
Here are a few tips for incorporating MMMs into oil and gas corrosion management programs:
- Collect multiple lines of evidence to support a MIC diagnosis. Unfortunately, there’s not a single test that can definitively confirm MIC. Instead, multiple lines of evidence are needed. Operational, chemical, material, mineralogical, and microbial data should be included in MIC assessments.
- Quantify microorganisms and functional genes associated with MIC using QuantArray®-MIC. Incorporate QuantArray®-MIC into routine monitoring and begin tracking trends in the microbial data. Increases in microorganisms associated with MIC can serve as an early warning sign, allowing responsible parties to investigate and intervene sooner.
- Profile the microbial community using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). NGS provides an overall profile of the microbial community and a more comprehensive assessment of potential MIC threats than is possible with culture-based methods.
- Consider sample hold times. Unlike mineralogical testing, microbial analyses have a short 24 to 48 hour hold time. If samples are being collected from a remote location like an offshore oil rig or an isolated pipeline, on-site DNA extraction using Bio-Extract™ kits can be used to preserve sample integrity over a longer time.
With over 30 years of experience, Microbial Insights is a trusted partner for the oil and gas industry, providing expert analysis without selling mitigation solutions. Learn more about what we can do: https://crm.microbe.com/oilgas-with-mi.
Contact us today at [email protected] to learn more about how our MMMs can help you protect your infrastructure and reduce the impact of corrosion.
