Faced with rising costs and tighter sustainability regulations, oil and gas producers are under pressure to improve their water management practices. Leading industry executives are shifting away from traditional microbial control chemistries in favor of PAA-based biocides with the ability to enhance productivity while safeguarding people, assets, and the environment.
PAA biocides offer significant benefits to oil and gas producers by optimizing hydrocarbon recovery processes, reducing freshwater demand and related costs, enhancing safety, and mitigating regulatory risks. Unlike traditional chemicals like glutaraldehyde or THPS, PAA is an environmentally friendly option.
Traditional biocides like CIO2 can be effective, but they pose significant risks concerning safe handling and potential contamination of wells and groundwater. On the other hand, peracetic acid-based products provide broad-spectrum effectiveness while reducing risks to both humans and the environment. And they minimize adverse interactions with other chemicals present in frac fluids, such as friction reducers and scale inhibitors.
Reducing Infrastructure Costs by Recycling Fracking Water
High producing operators actively work to reduce water use which is why the adoption of PAA biocides is growing exponentially. Water is crucial in the fracking process. It creates fracking fluid; initiates pressure at the start of operations and is key for cleanup and debris flushing. Over the years, the water required per well has steadily increased. Geology and multiple other factors influence water demand at the well site. According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), a typical fracking operation utilizes around 4 million gallons of water per well. Reusing and recycling frack water increases operational efficiency by reducing costs related to sourcing, transporting, and storing fresh water.
Pros and Cons of Chlorine Dioxide for Microbial Control
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) has been a popular choice for microbial control in the oil and gas industry, but there is a misconception that it can handle all microbial issues on its own. Operators need to be aware that while effective in various applications, its efficacy decreases after initial topside decontamination. High doses are needed to eliminate bacteria during fracturing operations, which can lead to corrosion and reduced productivity. It’s crucial for industry professionals to realize that no single biocide is effective in every production phase. Successful microbial control requires a customized program that uses the right biocide for each specific phase and application.
Comprehensive Microbial Prevention and Control Programs
To effectively prevent microbial contamination in oil and gas operations, a structured approach across three main phases—preparing the water, decontaminating the well, and protecting the reservoir—is essential. At Brainerd, we tailor our biocide recommendations to the specific needs of each phase, considering factors like temperature, salinity, and both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, along with the control duration required.
During water injection, native downhole populations, along with microbes introduced with the water, can lead to bacterial contamination in wells. Introducing a potent biocide into drilling and stimulation fluids is critical for gaining initial control. It is equally important to manage microbial growth in the reservoir continuously. Biocides capable of maintaining their effectiveness under high temperatures, pressures, and salinities are crucial to prevent issues like reservoir souring, asset corrosion, and the formation of in situ biofilms over time.
Expert Microbial Control Advice and Service
Brainerd Chemical Company water treatment technologies are effective against a broad spectrum of micro-organisms over a wide pH range. Operators use our chemistries to reduce bacteria, hydrogen sulfide, iron sulfide and other oilfield contaminates in topside and downhole applications without the harmful byproducts and safety risks associated with traditional chemistries.
Whether you need treatment technologies for injection water or produced water reuse or disposal, Brainerd Chemical microbial control solutions will help you control costs, meet specifications and reduce regulatory risks. We support you with proven biocide chemistries, reliable service and a proven team of experts able to advise you.
Our Terrastat® line of specialty peracetic acid biocides can be utilized during drilling, fracturing, productivity enhancement, and secondary recovery as a biocide and oxidizer. And they are compatible with other water treatment chemicals and work in a variety of water-intensive applications.
| Product | Blend | Typical Applications | Uses |
| Terrastat® 15-S | 16% peracetic acid and 10.5% hydrogen peroxide. | Scavenge hydrogen sulfide, iron sulfide, and other contaminants from drilling, completion, and production waters. | Well drilling operations. Formation fracturing operations. Productivity enhancement systems. Secondary recovery systems. Pipeline and tank maintenance. Drilling muds, fracturing fluids, well squeezed fluids Flooding, injection and produced water sanitation. |
| Terrastat® 1522-S | 16% peracetic acid and 23% hydrogen peroxide | Control anaerobic sulfide-forming bacteria or aerobic slime forming bacteria. | Fresh or recycled waters. Secondary recovery systems. Pipeline and tank maintenance. Drilling muds, fracturing fluids, well squeezed fluids. Flooding, injection and produced water sanitation. |
| Terrastat® 22 | 23.5% peracetic acid and 9% hydrogen peroxide. | Scavenge hydrogen sulfide, iron sulfide, and other contaminants from drilling, completion, and production waters. | Drilling muds. Workover & completion fluids. Water flooding operations. Saltwater disposals and injection wells. |
| Terrastat® 22-S | 22% peracetic acid and 5% hydrogen peroxide. | Scavenge hydrogen sulfide, iron sulfide, and other contaminants from drilling, completion, and production waters. | Drilling muds. Packing fluid. Secondary oil recovery systems. |
Optimizing Energy Production Through PAA
Oilfield microbial control methods are constantly evolving. And, with pressure from rising operational costs and environmental regulation risks, leading operators are incorporating PAA-based biocides into their microbial control programs to boost productivity while safeguarding personnel, assets, and the environment.
Microbial control methods in oilfields are continually advancing, making it essential for operators to ensure their programs are optimized at every stage of production.
Partnering with a trusted PAA biocide supplier like Brainerd Chemical Company offers operators essential technical expertise and exceptional service to help them continually optimize operations through every stage of production.
About Brainerd Chemical Company
Brainerd Chemical Company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative technologies and peroxyacetic acid formulations, delivering wide-ranging solutions that optimize water treatment improving safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operations. Through our hybrid distribution network, our team delivers a complete line of EPA and FDA approved products for a variety of industries including oil & gas production, industrial water treatment, meat and poultry processing, food & beverage, agriculture, animal health, wastewater treatment and more.
Media Inquiries:
Brainerd Chemical Company: 1+ (918) 622-1214
SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company.
