Prevention and mitigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) using a halophyte derived natural biocide

Sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP) are known to cause microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in the upstream oil and gas industry. SRP notoriously produce and embed themselves within a corrosive biofilm. Conventional biocides in the oil and gas industry have been reported to have a minor-to-no
effect on well established biofilms. However, salt-tolerant plants, called halophytes, produce several extractable bioactive compounds, including natural biocides. The project aims to produce a less ecotoxic alternative to the current biocides used in the oil and gas industry; the bioactive compounds in these
halophyte biocides naturally decompose in the ocean as seasonal coastal plants wither. Previous experiments using static tests in an unrenewed medium established that these natural biocides effectively inhibit SRP [1]. Biofilm-reactor experiments with the natural biocide show the ability to break down an established biofilm. Performance was compared to a common biocide in the oil and gas industry; Tetrakis Hydroxymethyl Phosphonium Sulfate (THPS). 3D surface scanning and weight loss of steel coupons were measured to assess the effectiveness of the biocides in preventing corrosion, and measurements of H2S concentration and Next Generation Sequencing were used to assess the
activity and diversity of microorganisms active in the corrosion process, respectively.

[1] T. Chaturvedi, M. H. Thomsen, and T. L. Skovhus, “Investigation of natural antimicrobial compounds for prevention of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC),” in ISMOS-7 Abstract book, 2019, pp. 53– 54, Accessed: Nov. 30, 2021. [Online]. Available: http://www.ismos7.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/06/Abstractbook_ISMOS7.pdf.