Nitrite is a more efficient inhibitor of microbial sulfate reduction in oil reservoirs compared to nitrate and perchlorate: A laboratory and field-scale simulation study

Microbial sulfate reduction is the most significant source of hydrogen sulfide (souring) as oil reservoirs are flooded with seawater (with mM concentrations sulfate) for secondary recovery. Nitrate (nitrite) injections into routinely used to constrain souring. Perchlorate was proposed an alternative souring mitigation agent, however its effectiveness remains be determined on a field scale. We combination laboratory-based experiments and scale numerical models compare efficacy nitrate, nitrite, perchlorate in inhibiting production offshore reservoirs. Our results suggest that inhibits accumulation by promoting oxidation. Elemental sulfur observed during nitrate Archaeglobus fulgidus confirming previous suggestions process coupled oxidation sulfide. Finally, nitrite efficient inhibitor accumulation, further confirmed our simulations. simulations predict injection 1 can reduce 92%, while (1 mM) or have potential 57% 80% respectively.