LuminUltra Technologies (Canada)

Abstract Within the energy industry, there are several technologies used to quantify microbiological contamination of fluids and assets. Some of these technologies can also be used to identify or characterize microorganisms of interest. It is important to understand the scope of detection and limitations of individual assays so that accurate, data-driven decisions can be made. Three fluids varying in chemical composition and origin within the energy sector were tested in this study. Serial dilution for detection of acid producing bacteria (APB) and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), activity-reaction tests measuring SRB, an assay quantifying bacterial hydrolases, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) quantification were compared and assessed against molecular microbiological methods (MMM). Data were collected to determine the ease of use, precision, and comparability of the testing technologies to each other. A kill study using organic biocides evaluated the performance of these tests in quantifying changes in the microbiological populations over time. The testing technologies delivered results on the order of minutes (ATP and enzymatic assays) to days (activity-reaction tests and MMM) to weeks (serial dilution). Comparing data from 1stgeneration ATP and the bacterial hydrolase tests to the data generated by the other technologies proved challenging due to the lack of reference standards and equivocal nature of the raw output from those technologies. A relatively high limit of detection was determined for 1st generation ATP technology in fluids where the bioburden was estimated below 104 cells/mL. Interpretation of results in culture-dependent activity-reaction tests was found to be subjective, requiring users to distinguish between visual indicators to estimate bioburden. This was further confounded when testing fluids for industrial uses that have complex mineral content and turbidity. The choice of culture-dependent technology to enumerate SRB resulted in up to 3-log SRB/mL variance compared to other tests. Variable responses of assayed biomolecules to chemical treatment (e.g., biocide) were notable in the kill study, where the choice of testing technology impacted the interpretation of biocide effectiveness. Accurate evaluation of microbiological contamination is essential to operational decision-making in the energy industry. Understanding the strengths and limitations of different testing technologies ensures optimized chemical treatments, reduced costs, and improved environmental outcomes.

Historically, fuel microbiology studies have relied on culture data. Potentially relevant but unculturable bacteria were not detected. Although ATP can quantify total microbial bioburdens in fuels, it cannot differentiate among the taxa present. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) testing promises to fill this gap by quantifying targeted amplicon sequences thereby detecting both culturable and non-culturable taxa and quantifying specifically targeted taxa. In this study, fluid samples drawn from the fuel, interface and water phases of fuel over water microcosms were tested for cellular ATP concentration ([cATP]) and qPCR bioburdens. Additionally, surface swab samples from steel corrosion coupon surfaces exposed to each of these three phases were collected and tested for total ATP concentration ([tATP]) and qPCR bioburdens. Statistical relationships between ATP and qPCR bioburdens were examined. Correlation coefficients between the two variables were matrix dependent and ranged from negligible (|r|=0.2) to strong (|r|=0.7). When results were categorized into negligible, moderate and heavy bioburdens, parameter agreement was again matrix dependent. Percentage agreement between [ATP] and qPCR gene copies ranged from 11 % to 89 % - with qPCR-bioburden ratings typically being greater than ATP-bioburden ratings.

Fluid samples drawn from the fuel, interface, and water phases of fuel over water microcosms were tested for cellular adenosine triphosphate concentration ([cATP]), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) bioburdens. Additionally, surface swab samples from steel corrosion coupon surfaces exposed to each of these three phases were collected and tested for total ATP concentration ([tATP]) and qPCR bioburdens. Relationships between ATP and qPCR bioburdens were examined. Correlation coefficients between the two variables were matrix dependent and ranged from negligible (|r| = 0.2) to strong (|r| = 0.7). When results were categorized into negligible, moderate and heavy bioburdens, parameter agreement was again matrix dependent and ranged from 11% to 89% – with qPCR-bioburden ratings typically being greater than ATP-bioburden ratings.

Summary The Rainbow Keg River "B" pool EOR scheme calls for placement of a 12% (net after recycle) -original-HCPV miscible bank in the crestal region of the pool. This bank will be chased vertically downward with more than 1 PV of dry gas. The injected solvent and chase gas will push the oil/water contact (OWC) downward as the previously injected water is produced. A tertiary oil bank will be formed in the region previously occupied by the water. This paper reports tertiary flood performance, results of the 1987 reservoir simulation study, and the operational strategy and problems encountered in monitoring the flood. The well-completion technique implemented to operate the flood is described, and the scheme economics is reviewed. Performance of the tertiary flood to date is encouraging.

In the early years of exploration — the 1920s (when oil discoveries were made in the Mississippian formations of Turner Valley) — the Devonian formations of the western Canadian sedimentary basin presented a dilemma. They were not accessible beneath the Turner Valley discoveries because of depth and, where they were shallow, they were not accessible because of geographical remoteness. Technological advances in drilling equipment, settlement of remote northern areas, and an increased hunger for petroleum energy resolved the Devonian dilemma in the 1940s.

PreviousNext No AccessSEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 1985Devonian reefsAuthors: A. K. KuhmeA. K. KuhmeCanterra Energy Ltd., Canadahttps://doi.org/10.1190/1.1892619 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 1985ISSN (print):1052-3812 ISSN (online):1949-4645Copyright: 1985 Pages: 643 publication data© 1985 Copyright © 1985 Society of Exploration GeophysicistsPublisher:Society of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished: 07 Mar 2005 CITATION INFORMATION A. K. Kuhme, (1985), "Devonian reefs," SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts : 406-408. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1892619 Plain-Language Summary PDF DownloadLoading ...