Saudi Researcher Focuses on Biological Side of Oil

DHAHRAN, July 26, SPA -- On his way to earning a Ph.D. in petroleum
microbiology, Abdulmohsen A. Al-Humam of the Research and Development
(R&D) Center completed some research that could have far-reaching
effects on Saudi Aramco oil production.

His thesis, “Effects of Nitrate on Mixed Bacterial Communities in an
Oilfield Water Distribution System,” sheds light on the processes
that control microorganisms at oil facilities.

“Unfortunately, for years, industries disregarded the concept of
biological souring of oil field reservoirs,” said Al-Humam. “This
resulted in production facilities being designed and built without
consideration of the long-term effects that microorganisms might have
on the operation and maintenance of these facilities.”

Al-Humam’s research offers a new, alternative approach to
controlling SRB levels through repeated injections of nitrate.



The study was conducted in two parts: laboratory experiments and a
field trial at Saudi Aramco’s Hawtah oil field.

The trial showed that injecting nitrate into the water distribution
system limited SRB activity and H2S production, was 43 percent more
cost-efficient than other methods and improved well operation by 12
percent to 15 percent.

Al-Humam’s research was presented at the Reservoir Microbiology
Forum, held by the British Energy Institute in London, and at the
Corrosion Conference held by NACE International, according to a press
release of Saudi Aramco.

Al-Humam first joined Saudi Aramco in 1993 after receiving his
bachelor’s degree in microbiology from King Saud University in
Riyadh. He began working in the R&D Center, where he studied the
microbiology found in petroleum facilities.

He is with the Biotechnology Group, where he works on methods to
control microorganisms that cause problems in water injection systems
and oil field reservoirs.

--SPA