Biocorrosion dans l’industrie pétrolière. Identification de quelques cas

Analyse des Solides et Microbiologie Directeur de Recherche associé au C.N.R.S. Total-France, Centre de Recherches

Abstract

Biocorrosion is only one aspect of the corrosion faced in petroleum industry. Nevertheless, its damages can result in the complete destruction of the product. It results from microorganisms carried either by the main petroleum products, or by the running waters. In the first case, microorganisms are developping in the aqueous phasis of tank heads and/or the lower points of the pipings, and in the second case it is developping on the buried parts. Each type of these damages is illustrated by a concrete example enforcing the means used for identifying a biocorrosion caused by sulfate reducing bacteria, as it is in internal corrosion, and by thermophilic bacteria, case of external corrosion.