Rawwater Engineering Company Ltd / Rawwater to Present Innovative Souring Mitigation Research at SPE International Conference on Oilfield Chemistry

Rawwater is pleased to announce its participation in the 2025 SPE International Conference on Oilfield Chemistry, where we will present groundbreaking findings from our latest high-pressure bioreactor research. This collaborative study, conducted with Microbial Insights, explores the potential of sub-optimal nitrate dosing as a strategic approach to mitigating microbiological oilfield souring.

Microbiological souring, caused by sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) generating hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), poses significant challenges to oilfield operations. Our research investigated the effectiveness of intentional sub-optimal nitrate treatment in controlling souring under realistic subsurface conditions using advanced pressurised bioreactors.

Over a 13-week study period, our team simulated near-wellbore environments, evaluating microbial activity and chemical transformations. Key findings revealed that a 50% nitrate under-dose reduced sulfide production by 73%, significantly exceeding theoretical expectations. Sulfide concentrations in treated bioreactors dropped by 81% compared to controls, while microbial analysis confirmed a stable nitrate-reducing microorganism (NRM) population and suppressed SRM activity. These results highlight the critical role of precise nitrate dosing within the thermal viability shell (TVS) and offer valuable insights for optimising nitrate-based souring mitigation strategies tailored to specific reservoir conditions.

We look forward to sharing our findings with industry professionals and engaging in discussions on the future of souring control technologies.

Join us at the 2025 SPE International Conference on Oilfield Chemistry to learn more: https://www.spe-events.org/oilfieldchemistry/