6th International Symposium on Applied Microbiology

and Molecular Biology in Oil Systems, San Diego, CA

Modelling of Microbiologically
Influenced Corrosion
Limitations and Perspectives
Torben Lund Skovhus, VIA University College
Christopher Taylor, DNV GL
Richard B. Eckert, DNV GL

@Torben_Skovhus
Agenda

 Introduction and
background
 Types of models today
 Newly developed Risk
Based Inspection model
 Challenges for MIC
models
 The end user perspective
 Future needs and
developments
Early microbiologists looking at MIC
Source: Petroleum Microbiology
Introduction
MIC modelling is an area that has not been fully developed.

Models can provide numerous benefits:

• guidance on MIC mitigation selection and prioritization
• identification of data gaps
• a scientific basis for risk-based inspections
• technical justification for asset design and life-extension
SPE-179930
Resources for this presentation:
Types of Models

Photo: Skovhus et al. CRC Press 2017

Current:
• MIC mechanistic models
• MIC susceptibility models
• Risk-based models

Future:
• Molecular level models
• Integrated models
• Bayesian models
MIC Susceptibility Models
Authors Key Outcome Main factors included

Sooknah et al MIC susceptibility - likelihood Temperature, partial pressure

Corrosion/2008, of gases, flow rate, water
paper no. 08503 quality, oxygen and pipe
Internal MIC pigging, ability for biofilm
growth
Pots et al Ranking of oil pipelines for Temperature, pH, dissolved
Corrosion/2008, paper MIC susceptibility solids, and nutrients; operating
no. 08503 parameters, mitigation
Internal MIC measures (pigging and biocide)

Gas Research Institute Likelihood of corrosion Bacteria numbers by MPN

GRI-92/0005, 2005 damage on a sample being Sulfide, Iron Oxide forms, pit
Internal or external MIC MIC shape, chlorides, pH

Li et al , Corros. Sci. Factor for corrosivity of an Soil resistivity, redox potential,

and Tech. 31(6): 461- external site water content, clay content,
467 (2002) pipe to soil potential, etc.
External MIC model
MIC Mechanistic Models
Authors Key parameters Main factors included

Maxwell and Campbell Speed of biofilm development, pH

(2006), Maxwell concentration of sulfide and Temperature
(2006) velocity are considered driving Total dissolved solids
Deposits
Pigging frequency
Oxygen ingress
Fluid velocity

Allison et al. (2008) Nutrient availability and Total dissolved solids

quantity of SRB and GHB Quantified SRB and GHB
numbers
Sørensen et al. (2012), Quantity of SRP and MET Quantified numbers of SRB,
Skovhus et al. (2012) SRA and MET

Taxèn et al. (2012) Quantity of SRB Oxygen

Quantified SRB numbers
MIC-RBI Model for O&G Topside Systems
Step 1. Screening flow chart:
Qualitative data
Historical/inspection data
Microbiological monitoring and mitigation
effort
Temperature, pH

Stepwise
procedure for
assessment of
MIC

SPE-179930-MS 2016, Management of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in Risk Based

Inspection Analysis, TL Skovhus, ES Andersen, E Hillier
MIC-RBI Model for O&G Topside Systems
Step 1. Screening flow chart:
Qualitative data
Historical/inspection data
Microbiological monitoring and mitigation
effort
Temperature, pH

Step 2. PoF ranking tool:

Semi-quantitative parameters
Settlement potential
Oxygen ingress
Mitigation effectiveness Stepwise
procedure for
Availability of nutrients
assessment of
Expected rate of metal dissolution MIC

SPE-179930-MS 2016, Management of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in Risk Based

Inspection Analysis, TL Skovhus, ES Andersen, E Hillier
MIC RBI
model:
Step 1
MIC RBI
model:
Step 2

PoF
Ranking
 Real Data Testing: Screening Assessment

• Danish sector of the North Sea

• CC1 : Downstream of the 1st stage separator on the outlet pipework
to the 2nd stage separator
• Key operating parameters:
MIC RBI
model:
Step 2

2
PoF
Ranking
Challenges for MIC Models

• Reliability of microbiological data from field

samples (MPN vs. MMM)
• Inclusion of biotic and abiotic effects of the
environment on corrosion
• Microbiological/material interactions in complex
biofilms/corrosion products
• Diverse microbiological/chemical/physical
environments in engineered systems
• Lack of insight about MIC growth rates
• Microorganisms can initiate and promote corrosion
different ways
Integrated computational materials engineering
(ICME)

• Promising future approach for prediction and management

of MIC, using translational research to deliver new modeling
tools to industry in the shortest development time
• ICME development would couple our current understanding
of MIC, as represented in models, with experimental data,
to build a digital “twin”
• Account for uncertainties in MIC mechanisms and rates, and
ranges of operating variations
• Data ranges can be employed in ICME using a probabilistic
approach through a Bayesian network
 The ICME Framework

Verification & Validation

 MIC Models: End-User Needs
• Design and Life Extention
• Materials selection
• Mitigation design
• Monitoring design
• Basis for life extension

• Operations
• MIC control
• Souring control
• RBI
• Resource prioritization
• Optimization of mitigation
 MIC Models: End-User Needs
• Design and Life Extention
• Materials selection
• Mitigation design
• Monitoring design
• Basis for life extension

• Operations
• MIC control
• Souring control
• RBI
• Resource prioritization
• Optimization of mitigation
 Future Efforts
• Models must provide a practical result for operators to drive
decision making
• Data inputs must be accurate and reliable, e.g. MPN vs. MMM
• Models need to use each other’s outputs to get a more refined
answers to benefit the end user corrosion management system
• Integrating different models, molecular, mechanistic,
probabilistic, risk – can it be done?

• A newly established research project (LSARP MIC) will deal with

this challenge over the next 4 years to come…
Questions
Contact details
Torben Lund Skovhus, MSc, PhD
Researcher and Project Manager

VIA Building, Energy & Environment

Centre for Applied Research &
Development

VIA University College

Chr. M. Østergaards Vej 4
DK-8700 Horsens

T: +45 87 55 42 96
E: tols@via.dk
www.viauc.com

@Torben_Skovhus