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Occurrence of bacteria in Pembina crude oil pipeline system and their potential role in corrosion process

  • Environmental Microbiology
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Summary

Crude oil stream from the Pembina fields of North Central Alberta, Canada, contained a relatively high detectable load of bacteria. The oil and produced water contained aerobic and anerobic microorganisms capable of producing sulphides from sulphates and sulphite, and ferrous ions from ferric compounds. The ability to produce S2- and Fe(II) in solution is considered very important in corrosion phenomenon in the pipeline system.

Apart from SO 2-4 — reducers (Desulfovibrio spp) the organisms found in the crude oil system and capable of generating corrosive environment were mainly members of the Genus Pseudomonas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

    C. O. Obuekwe

  2. Department of Microbiology, University of Alberta, T6G 2E9, Edmonton, Canada

    D. W. S. Westlake

Authors
  1. C. O. Obuekwe
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  2. D. W. S. Westlake
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Obuekwe, C.O., Westlake, D.W.S. Occurrence of bacteria in Pembina crude oil pipeline system and their potential role in corrosion process. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 26, 389–393 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256676

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256676

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