Novel MIC Biomarker Correlated to Severe Corrosion

 

Discovery and Assay Development of the micH Gene, a Novel MIC Biomarker

Despite the long-standing association between methanogens and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of oil and gas pipelines, neither the type nor abundance of the detected methanogens was correlated with the perceived severity of corrosion. Recent combined efforts have resulted in the discovery and assay development for the micH gene, a globally-relevant MIC biomarker. Early studies of the gene have already provided key thresholds with an observed high probability of severe corrosion (>0.25 mm/yr) when micH abundance is above 1.0 x 10⁴ cells/cm².

 

The micH assay is available at Microbial Insights, Inc. and is included in the QuantArray^®-MIC suite.

Adapted from Lahme et al., 2021

The micH biomarker offers superior correlation with MIC compared to other technologies and is globally applicable:  The micH biomarker has been detected in field samples from seven locations on three continents where MIC has been identified as the degradation mechanism.

An upcoming JIP will uncover unknown biomarkers and reduce current MIC integrity threats to oil field operations:  Participants will have direct access to biomarker assays once established. In addition, they will have exclusive knowledge of key performance indicators that translate data into action.

 

Join This New Joint Industry Project with ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, DNV, and Microbial Insights, Inc.

 

This Joint Industry Project (JIP) aims to develop methods, tools and workflows (‘biomarker technology’) to reliably detect the occurrence of MIC in oil field operations. This project will assemble MIC experts from across the industry (JIP participants) and unravel the most relevant microbial degradation mechanisms in carbon steel infrastructure, such as full well stream pipelines, crude transmission lines, produced water piping and sea water injection systems.

 

Need more information on the Joint Industry Project? Click here!

 

Interested in some of the work already developed by this collaborative team?

 

Check out this article:

 

Severe Corrosion of Carbon Steel in Oil Field Produced Water Can Be Linked to Methanogenic Archaea Containing a Special Type of [NiFe] Hydrogenase