TITLE:
Validation of Autonomous Microbe Sensor Prototype for Monitoring of Microorganisms in Injection Seawater Systems
AUTHORS:
Mohammed A. Al-Moniee, Xiangyang Zhu, Lone Tang, Fuad I. Nuwaiser, Niels V. Voigt, Peter F. Sanders, Fahad N. Al-Abeedi, Hanaa H. Al-Habboubi
KEYWORDS:
DNA Staining, Automated Monitoring, Autonomous Microbe Sensor, Microbial Sensor Prototype, Injection Seawater
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Sensor Technology,
Vol.6 No.4,
October
24,
2016
ABSTRACT: Microbial growth in the water injection system is a well-known problem with severe
operational and financial consequences for the petroleum industry, including microbiologically
influenced corrosion (MIC), reduced injectivity, reservoir plugging,
production downtime, and extensive repair costs. Monitoring of system microbiology
is required in any mitigation strategy, enabling operators to apply and adjust
countermeasures properly and in due time. In previous studies [1] [2], DNA staining
technology with SYBR Green dye was evaluated to have a sufficient detection limit
and automation potential for real-time detection of microbial activity in the Saudi
Aramco injection seawater. In this study, technical requirements and design solutions
were defined, and an autonomous microbe sensor (AMS) prototype was constructed,
tested and optimized in the laboratory, and validated in the field for automated
detection of microorganisms in the harsh Saudi Arabia desert environment
and injection seawater. The AMS prototype was able to monitor and follow the general
microbial status in the system, including detection of periods with increased microbial
growth or decreased microbial numbers following biocide injection. The infield
AMS detection limit was 105 cells/mL. The long-term field testing also identified
the areas for technical improvement and optimization for further development of a
more robust and better performing commercial microbial sensing device.