An enhanced oil recovery polymer promoted microbial growth and accelerated microbiologically influenced corrosion against carbon steel

Enhanced oil recovery typically relies on injection of seawater mixed with chemicals to increase reservoir pressure. A polymer such as partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) is often added to increase viscosity. In this work, an oilfield biofilm consortium was found to utilize a commercial HPAM-based polymer. The polymer at 1000 ppm (w/w) promoted the growth of planktonic cells and sulfate reducing bacteria sessile cells in an artificial seawater medium during a 30-day incubation period in anaerobic vials. The polymer utilization led to 34.5% viscosity loss and more severe microbiologically influenced corrosion weight loss and pitting against C1018 carbon steel.