A major problem for the management of oil and gas pipelines is corrosion influenced by microorganisms particularly, bacteria. The present study focuses on the influence particularly of the sulfate reducing bacteria on the internal corrosion of water injection pipelines. The research is based on reports from long-term observations of several water injections pipelines from the North Sea continental shelf. Observation data taken into consideration are pigging operation information, composition of corrosion products and their amount, corrosion rates and pipe geometry, identified biological consortia, water chemistry and process parameters. Observations regarding water quality and mitigation methods are made also. The distribution of corrosion including pitting and ‘features' along the pipeline as well as the localization of these in relation to the orientation of the surfaces, is considered. This includes different corrosion patterns along the pipeline and the relative severity of six o'clock corrosion. These observations are used to make correlation estimates between severity and location of corrosion and service history and the local environmental conditions, where this information is available. The correlations are used to develop a clearer view of the proportion of biocorrosion contributing to the total corrosion in water injection pipelines. Additionally, an assessment is made of the efficiency of mitigation procedures such as biocide treatments and pigging operations. The paper provides possible explanations for different rates and spatial patterns of corrosion for water injection pipelines.
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