Penetration of Sulfate Reducers through a Porous North Sea Oil Reservoir

Abstract

The presence of mesophilic benzoate-degrading sulfate-reducing bacteria in the water systems of three Norwegian oil platforms was investigated. Strain 4502 was isolated from the injection water system, and specific antibodies were produced against this isolate. It was present in the injection water system during a period of 3 years, but not in the in situ reservoir water. Later it was found in water samples collected from the oil field production system. This showed that strain 4502 had penetrated the reservoir together with the injection water and eventually reached the production well.