A STUDY OF MICROBIAL INFLUENCED CORROSION IN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) has been the subject of extensive studies. Some of the bacteria are capable of sensing surfaces. Contacting the surface initiates a complex differentiation program resulting in e.g. synthesis of alginate. Metal surfaces are rapidly colonized by microorganisms in contact with natural or industrial aquatic environments, giving rise to a complex and strongly adhering microbial community, termed as biofilm. The biofilm accumulation not only protects microbial cells from the external environment, but also it is detrimental to the underlying substratum thereby causing physical degradation or biodeterioration of the metal surface. In order to circumvent this problem,numerous biocides have been tried, but unfortunately have failed to produce the expected outcomes. An increased dose of biocide may, or may not, succeed in overcoming the protection provided by this polysaccharide covering because these polymers restrict the permeability of the biofilms to most biocides