Oilfield Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) Genetic Testing

Genetic analysis and identification of oilfield microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).

Intertek provides qPCR analysis of bacteria associated with microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Client samples are quantified to determine the concentrations of total bacteria, SRBs, nitrate reducing bacteria (NRB), and methanogens.

An alternative for the quantification of bacteria associated with microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in oilfield environments, are genetic techniques called quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the microscopic technique called Fluorescence in-situ Hybridization (FISH). Genetic tests have largely replaced microbial growth tests in the medical, pharmaceutical, food safety, public health, cosmetics, and environmental industries. The FISH analysis provided by Intertek CML (UK) and Westport (USA) is quantified to determine the concentrations of total bacteria and SRBs. 

Why use genetic tests for Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion?  

• Speed: Hours for genetics tests, versus weeks for growth tests. 
• Accuracy: Genetic tests are extremely selective while growth tests are not. For example many species of bacteria that are not sulfate reducers can grow in media meant for the quantification of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). In some cases less than 10% of the bacteria are the intended type.
• Comprehensive: Genetic tests quantify what is actually in a sample rather than just what grows in laboratory media. Less than 1% of microbial species can be grown in laboratory media so what grows is often not representative of the environment where the sample was taken, but genetic tests quantify all bacteria present in a sample regardless of the ability of the bacteria to grow in laboratory media.
• Flexibility: Some types of microorganisms that are important to MIC, such as methanogens, can’t be conveniently quantified in microbial growth media but genetic tests easily quantify methanogens or any other microbial population of interest. Recent research demonstrates that methanogens are often the most abundant type of microorganisms in corrosion-associated biofilms, yet there are no convenient growth tests to quantify methanogens.
• Cost: The cost of genetic techniques can be less than the cost of microbial growth tests when personnel time and materials costs are considered, yet genetic tests produce higher quality data.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses: 

Intertek uses FISH for bacteria and archaea mircrobe detection and identification. FISH is a technique used to detect the presence of specific groups of Bacteria and Archaea. Inside active cells, molecules called rRNA are involved in the synthesis of proteins which are manufactured according to a specific code which is carried in the strand of DNA in the cell. Intertek genetic MIC testing can help you control bacterial corrosion.

Contact us to see how Intertek can help your organization with Oilfield Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) Genetic Testing.