Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Corrosion of Pipeline Steel in Polyacrylamide Gel Used for Enhanced Oil Recovery (MAR, 10.1007/s11665-023-08058-2, 2023)

Hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), a viscosity booster in the enhanced oil recovery process, has been found to be prone to microbial degradation. The effect of HPAM degradation on the electrochemical properties and corrosion behavior of C20 steel was examined in oilfield injection water containing sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses showed that HPAM promoted SRB growth, which resulted in the precipitation of higher amount of ferrous sulfide in the test medium. Electrochemical investigations revealed that the HPAM biodegradation enhanced the corrosion rate and localized perforation of steel. These were possible because the HPAM degradation furnished the test medium with nutrients like acetate and ammonium ions, which sustained microbial activities, thus boosting the anodic dissolution of steel.