Biocorrosion in the Oilfield I. Experimental Methods Development; Scanning Electron Microscopy Technique

Abstract Biocorrosion is routinely encountered, but not always recognized, in the oilfield. Biocorrosion results primarily from the activities of sessile (adherent) bacteria growing in biofilms on metal surfaces. Classical microbiological methods are not appropriate for detecting or monitoring sessile bacteria. In the work reported here, biofilming bacteria, their associated exopolymer, and the early time-course events of biofilm development on steel were visualized by use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Scanning electron photomicrographs also show that corrosion occurred directly under the bacterial growth. Prevention of bacterial growth prevented corrosion. These SEM results represent progress in developing technology useful for detecting and monitoring sessile bacteria and biocorrosion in the oilfield environment.