A five-year research project on microbiology’s impact on the oil and gas industry gained a $200,000 commitment from Intertek.

The project, conducted by the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, involves research that examines reservoir souring due to bacteria, corrosion control with biological treatment and microbial enhanced oil recovery, according to a press release.

The research could prove beneficial for Intertek clients who are exploring new reservoirs and addressing quality issues caused by microbial activity in existing reservoirs.

“A significant proportion of microorganisms are still not that well understood. The research will create new insights into the problems commonly faced due to bacteria,” said Heike Hoffmann, consultant microbiologist at Intertek Commercial Microbiology.

“It is widely accepted that nitrates halt reservoir souring but it is not fully understood how. This study will look at the mechanism of reservoir souring more deeply and allow us to develop the reservoir chemistry testing and evaluation programmes we provide to clients.”

The research forms part of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Industrial Research Chairs program, which aims to unite top university researchers and companies to produce findings which will help advance understanding of how microorganisms can work both for and against the oil industry.