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 Petroleum processing, oil and natural gas extraction
use extensive amounts of antimicrobials to prevent or reduce the souring
of natural gas, crude oil and water in oil fields. Water is used both in
drilling muds to lubricate the drill and as fluid to force crude petroleum
from oil-bearing rock.
Souring refers to the production of hydrogen sulfide,
an extremely toxic gas, which can be produced by certain oil-consuming bacteria
that occur in the upper layers of soil and are easily introduced into an
oil well.
Not only has hydrogen sulfide (gas that smells
like rotten eggs) caused deaths in oil fields and crude processing facilities,
it is also very corrosive to piping and equipment and can require expensive
special processing of the natural gas or crude oil if contaminated with
the chemical. The use of effective, low-cost antimicrobials, which have
minimal environmental impact, is essential for the safe and efficient operation
of oil fields.
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