Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oil Field Systems addresses the major problems microbes cause in oil fields, (e.g. biocorrosion and souring) and how beneficial microbial activities may be exploited (e.g. MEOR and biofuels). The book describes theoretical and practical approaches to specific Molecular Microbiological Methods (MMM), and is written by leading authorities in the field from both academia and industry. The book describes how MMM can be applied to faciliate better management of oil reservoirs and downstream processes. The book is innovative in that it utilises real industrial case studies which gives useful technical and scientific information to researchers, engineers and microbiologists working with oil, gas and petroleum systems.
Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oilfield Systems Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oilfield Systems Proceedings from the International Symposium on Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oil Systems (ISMOS-2), 2009 Edited by Corinne Whitby Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK Torben Lund Skovhus Danish Technological Institute, DTI Oil & Gas, Aarhus, Denmark 123 Editors Corinne Whitby University of Essex Department of Biological Sciences Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ Essex United Kingdom
[email protected] Torben Lund Skovhus Danish Technological Institute DTI Oil & Gas Kongsvang Allé 29 DK-8000 Aarhus Denmark
[email protected] ISBN 978-90-481-9251-9 e-ISBN 978-90-481-9252-6 DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-9252-6 Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2010932402 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011 No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Cover illustration: Graphics produced by Jennie Ojczyk, JO Design, Ildved, Denmark,
[email protected] Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com) Preface This book provides a combined theoretical and practical approach to molecular microbiology studies in oil reservoirs and related downstream processing plants and is written by some of the world’s leading authorities in this area from both academia and the oil and petroleum industry. The book is based on specific case studies and encapsulates the ethos of the ‘International Symposium on Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oil Systems (ISMOS)’. The text explains how each method works and the type of information that can be obtained. This is of direct relevance to reservoir engineers, production chemists, corrosion managers, field technicians and microbiologists, who are working in the oil and petroleum industry. The text begins with Chapter 2, which addresses practical issues relating to sampling from oilfield systems and the types of samples to be collected. Specifically, the focus is on the importance of correct sampling techniques, how to maintain sample integrity, for example, from offshore facilities, until the samples are processed in the laboratory. Details are also given on methodologies relatin