A new approach to treating H2S

production and biofilm problems

in the oil and gas industry

Location: Black Olive

Date: 19th May 2009
Presenters: Alistair Cameron
Hugh Mackenzie
Rob Bain

Bio-Armour PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

Who are Bio-Armour

Formed in 2009 a Joint venture between Scotmas and WellMack

Are a leading manufacturer of water

treatment systems, and have
specialised in chlorine dioxide
systems for over 25 years.

An oil services company,

specialising in
pumping services
bring innovative flow assurance
technologies to the market

Bio-Armour PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

Introduction To Oilfield Micro Biology
•Traditional downwell biocides
(THPS) being phased out due
to poor environmental
performance.

•Traditional approach has not

focused on the root cause of
H2S problems.

•Chlorine Dioxide has long

been recognised as a superior
biocide but has not been
favoured due to problems with
corrosion, and percieved safety
issues.

•BioStorm is a new approach

to ClO2 treatment that
overcomes these issues and
comprises the latest
technology in a fully managed
solution.
Introduction To Oilfield Micro Biology

Macro Fouling of inlet filters

•Promotes growth of Biofilm.

•Degradation of pump
performance.

•Electro chlorinators proven not

to be effective against macro
fouling.
Introduction To Oilfield Micro Biology

Biofilm in topside plant

•Breeding ground for SRBs

•Allowed to form through poor

biociding regime.

•Present throughout filters and

pump systems

•Biofilm caused collapse of

DA tower internals on North
Sea platform 2008
Introduction To Oilfield Micro Biology

Sulphide Reducing Bacteria

•SRBs do not live alone,

require symbiotic biofilm in
order to thrive.

•Present and most prolific in

the cool zone around the
injector well. Extremeophiles
present deeper in formation
are not prolific H2S producers.

•H2S swept with injected water

through reservoir to producing
wells.
Introduction To Oilfield Micro Biology

H2S Production

•Corrosion Implications

•Safety Implications

•Poor OiW quality

•High chemical/plant cost

Typical Solutions in use
THPS (tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulphate) – North Sea
• Being phased out of North Sea due to poor environmental performance
• Primary action is removal of the Sulphides that SRBs feed on
• Secondary biocidal action requires surfactant to penetrate Biofilm
• Requires very disciplined application to be effective
• Requires high volume of chemical in order to be effective (ie 500ppm)
• High Volume of chemical and high logistical demand.

Nitrate Dosing – North Sea

• Evidence suggests it can result in severe localised corrosion
• Only suppresses the problem, does not eliminate it.

Bio-Armour PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

Typical Solutions in use
Hydrogen Peroxide
• Great environmental performance BUT
• Requires high volumes of chemical
• Shorter lifespan than chlorine dioxide downwell (peroxide will react with more
downwell contaminants than ClO2 and is less specific in its reactions)
• Higher volumes result in higher corrosion than ClO2.

Magnacide
• Not environmentally friendly
• Extremely hazardous to handle

Gluteraldehyde
• Environmentally problematic (acutely toxic to aquatic organisms)

• Expensive solution
Bio-Armour PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001
What is BioStorm?
A managed solution combining:
• Patented equipment
• Unique chemistry
• Application expertise
• Ongoing monitoring and performance benchmarking

BioStorm Advanced PLC control offers

• Multiple dosing points and dosing rate
combined with online monitoring to
eliminate overdosing and corrosion
potential

• Dosing can be integrated with oxygen

scavenger regime.

Bio-Armour PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

Bio Storm Generators

Bio-Armour PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

 Technical advantages of BioStorm

•ClO2 is highly soluble in water as well as in a variety of organic materials.

•ClO2 has more than twice the oxidative capacity of chlorine, but will not react to
form chlorinated organic compounds.

•ClO2 doesn't leave harmful residues following treatment.

•Advanced ClO2 production technology resulting in low corrosion, high

efficiency generation.

•Chlorine Dioxide will easily penetrate Biofilms.

WellMack PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

Operational advantages of BioStorm

•Significant reduction of H2S in sweet reservoirs that have become soured due to
poor hygiene.
•Reduced Corrosion and Corrosion inhibitor costs
•Reduced H2S scavenging costs
•Increased safety with lower H2S on board threat

•The elimination of black water through the plant - plant operations benefit
•A dramatic improvement in OiW quality - environmental benefit
•A lower spend on separation chemicals
•The reduction in costs associated with chemical supply logistics

WellMack PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

Economics - Actual North Sea Field Example
Soured field - 32,000,000 Litres / day Injection water (6 month water sweep)
Typical Biociding regime
•THPS 700ppm 2hours a week – £23,400/month

Resulting Production chemical usage

•H2S Scavenger up to - 3000 litres/day – £80,000/month
•Corrosion Inhibitor - 234 litres/day - £7110/month
•Demulsifiers - 44 litres/day - £2240/month

Total annual chemical costs associated with poor biociding regime = £1.353M
BioStorm Financial Benefits:
• Supercedes THPS, lowering biocide volumes significantly
• Greatly reduces production chemical requirements after the majority of
SRBs are eliminated and H2S has been swept from formation
• Increases efficiency of topside facilities (e.g. DA Tower) lowering OPEX
• Reduces maintenance and shutdowns asscioaited with biofilm accumulation

WellMack PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

ClO2 Misconceptions

It’s unsafe
•Now extensively used in nuclear power stations, unattended water treatment
plants, hospitals and pulp mills.

•Modern processes generate ClO2 at the point of use and minimise operator
exposure to hazardous chemicals.

•Numerous safety interlocks provided as standard.

•Remote monitoring and control to ensure efficient and safe use of chemicals.

•The chemistry uses Sodium Chlorate as opposed to the previous Sodium

Chlorite process.

•Sodium Chlorate is less reactive, safer and uses 40% less chemicals than
sodium chlorite.

WellMack PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

ClO2 Misconceptions
It’s very corrosive
• Chlorine Dioxide has been used extensively for 25 years both on and offshore.
The Biostorm process uses patented new technology derived from the pulp and
paper industry to apply chlorine dioxide without the traditional problems associated
with corrosion control.

• A modern sophisticated control and monitoring system to ensure nearly all the acid
and sodium chlorate is consumed within the reaction, leaving little left to adversely
affect steels, as opposed to older generation systems.

5 NaClO2 + 4 HCl  4 ClO2 + 5 NaCl + 2 H2O

A max 80% of chlorite can be converted to ClO2

NaClO3 + ½ H2O2 + ½ H2SO4  ClO2 + ½ Na2SO4 + ½ O2 + H2O

A max 100% of chlorate can be converted to ClO 2
• Due to its effectiveness against Biofilm, ClO2 significantly reduces MIC (microbially
induced corrosion) and improves efficiency of DA tower

WellMack PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001

Any Questions?

WellMack PPT 12th Jan 2009 ref: 001