Biocide Selection Guide

OIL AND GAS

Putting you in control.

Take control of your oil and gas microbial control challenges.

Corrosion, souring and plugging can keep your processes from working at peak efficiency. The AQUCAR line of biocides protects the quality of water used in your oil and gas operations. Plus, our environmentally preferred options help you promote sustainable processes.

Applications
To help with evaluation and selection of biocides for oil and gas applications, Dow Microbial Control has completed a comparison of various active ingredients along several dimensions of performance. The following summary table and accompanying detailed comments are intended to assist users in making informed decisions about biocide selection.

Summary
Appropriate microbial control in oil and gas recovery processes is critical for safe and efficient operations. Several parameters, including antimicrobial efficacy, compatibility with equipment and other chemical additives and potential impact on the environment are all critically important considerations when choosing a biocide. This selection guide is intended to arm you with the important data necessary to make an informed decision.

Active Ingredient Glutaraldehyde Glut-Quat Combo DBNPA THPS Bronopol Dazomet TTPC Halogenated Oxidizers

Overall Performance

Biocidal Efficacy

Compatibility

Environmental Parameters

Efficacy
Microbiocides are used in the oil and gas industry to control the growth of bacteria and prevent the formation of harmful byproducts of their growth (such as hydrogen sulfide). The effectiveness of biocides is most often measured by the concentrations required to achieve a threshold kill. Different types of organisms can require different amounts of biocide to achieve acceptable threshold kill. Likewise, the speed of kill and overall length of control can vary across organisms.
Length of Bacterial Control

Active Ingredient
Glutaraldehyde Glut-Quat Combo DBNPA THPS Bronopol Dazomet ADBAC DDAC TTPC Halogenated Oxidizers

SRB Efficacy

APB Efficacy

Aerobe Efficacy

Kill Speed

SRB Efficacy q
A lab study was performed with SRBs in a synthetic frac water matrix. The samples were inoculated with an isolated SRB strain and then treated with different biocides. Viable organism levels were measured at 30 minutes and 2 hours.

Acid-Producing Bacteria Efficacy q

A lab study was performed with APBs in a synthetic frac water matrix. The samples were inoculated with an isolated APB strain and then treated with different biocides. Viable organism levels were measured at various time points.

Active Levels Needed for 4-log SRB Kill

25

Active Levels Needed for 4-log APB Kill

140

20

120 100 ppm a.i. 80 60 30 min 1 hr 4 hr 24 hr 48 hr Glut Glut-Quat DDAC TTPC ADBAC THPS Dazomet

ppm a.i.

15

10 30 min 2 hr

40 20 0

Glut

Glut-Quat

THPS

DBNPA

ADBAC

DDAC

TTPC

Aerobic Organisms u
A lab study was performed with a mixed pool of aerobic organisms in a synthetic frac water matrix. The samples were inoculated and then treated with different biocides. Viable organism levels were measured at multiple time points.

Active Levels for 4-log Aerobic Organism Kill

200 180 160 140 ppm a.i. 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Glut TTPC DDAC ADBAC THPS Glut-Quat Dazomet 15 min 1 hr 4.5 hr 24 hr

Compatibility
Hydrocarbon production involves many additives that can interfere with the activity of some biocides. It is critical to understand potential incompatibilities and other properties of biocides that could negatively affect operations.
Compatibility with Friction Reducers

Biocide
Glutaraldehyde Glut-Quat Combo DBNPA THPS Bronopol Dazomet Quaternary Amines TTPC Halogenated Oxidizers

Foaming

Temperature Stability

6

Proppant and Formation Compatibility

6

Use-Level Corrosion

Friction Reducers q
Many biocides have negative interactions with frictionreducing polymers used for hydraulic fracturing. Those interactions can negatively influence the function of both the biocide and the friction reducer.
Active Levels for 5-log Kill of Aerobic Organisms in Frac Water with 500 ppm Friction Reducer
500 450 400 350 ppm a.i. 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Glut Glut-Quat DDAC TTPC ADBAC THPS Dazomet FR 1 FR 2

Temperature Stability
Biocides with higher temperature stability can last further downhole, giving protection not only against the organisms in the injection water, but also against organisms native to the formation that causes souring.

Proppant/Formation Compatibility
Surface-acting biocides (like quaternary amines and TTPC) can be absorbed on high-surface area solids, like some proppants and silt layers of the formation, reducing the availability of the biocide to kill microorganisms.

Use-Level Corrosion
Some biocides in their concentrated form are corrosive to metals, including stainless steel. However, when diluted to their use concentration (1000 ppm or less), most are essentially non-corrosive. The exceptions are oxidizing biocides, which are strongly corrosive even at use levels (1 ppm or less).

Foaming q
A biocide that foams can cause problems during application. Minimum foaming is a desirable parameter for a biocide.

15

Measured Foam Height (cm)

Exceeded 15 cm maximum measurable height 12

Dynamic Stable
TTPC ADBAC
42.5% Glut Glutaraldehyde THPS DBNPA Bronopol Dazomet 25.8% Glut 7.5% Quat (50 ppm a.i.) (70 ppm a.i.) (50 ppm a.i.) (200 ppm a.i.) (600 ppm a.i.) 12.5% Quat (38 ppm a.i.) (43 ppm a.i.)

(50 ppm a.i.) (20 ppm a.i.)

Environmental Parameters
Biocide
Glutaraldehyde DBNPA THPS Bronopol Dazomet Quaternary Amines TTPC Halogenated Oxidizers

Ecotox MOE

Biodegradation

Abiotic Degradation

Aquatic Toxicity

AOX Formation

Toxicity-/Hazard-Based Ratings
Individual data points for toxicity based solely upon the hazards of the concentrated product can give an incomplete picture of the risk profile of any given biocide. Risk-based models that take into account all factors (such as toxicity, treatment levels, biodegradation, etc.) are more accurate and used by regulating authorities. The hazard-based data below are given for illustrative purposes, and risk-based analysis is further discussed.
Active
Glutaraldehyde DBNPA THPS Bronopol Dazomet (MITC) ADBAC

Ecotox Margin of Exposure (MOE) q

Margin of exposure is the ratio of the no observable effect level (NOEL)the highest levels that testing indicates shows no effect on the organisms testedto the amount of residual chemical that EPA models predict would remain in the environment after use in accordance with the label. These models take into account usage levels, biotic and abiotic degradation. Similar models include the hazard quotient and CHARM. The data below shows the calculated safety factor for biocidal actives calculated by MOE models. Higher numbers indicate a bigger safety factor and less risk to the environment.
Biocide Margin of Exposure (Based on Chronic Aquatic Toxicity)
20 18 16 14 12 10 >20X >20X

Daphnia
NOEC = 0.413 ppm (21 day) NOEC = 0.02 ppm (32 day) NOEC = 0.032 ppm (21 day) NOEC = 0.005 ppm NOEC = 0.025 ppm (21 day) NOEC = 0.004 ppm

Rainbow Trout
LC50 = 12 ppm (96 hr) LC50 = 1.0 ppm (96 hr) LC50 = 94 119 ppm (96 hr) LC50 = 41.2 ppm (96 hr) LC50 = 0.05 ppm (96 hr) LC50 = 1.0 ppm

Degradation
Biodegradation and chemical degradation are important aspects when considering the overall sustainability of applying a biocide for oilfield applications and is taken into account by risk-based models such as CHARM and margin of exposure.
OECD 301

8 6 4 2 0 Glutaraldehyde DBNPA THPS 4.3X 3.3X

7X 3.2X

2.5X

Bronopol Dazomet

ADBAC

TTPC

Biocide
Glutaraldehyde DBNPA THPS Bronopol Dazomet ADBAC TTPC

Ready Biodegradation

Inherently Biodegradable

OECD 302

Abiotic Half-Life
63.8 days @ pH 9, 25C 1.2 hrs @ pH 9, 25C 72 days @ pH 7 60 days @ pH 8 4.5 days @ pH 9 379 days @ pH 9

Adsorbable Organic Halide (AOX) Formation

Most organic biocides do not contribute to AOX levels in water. Certain biocides, most specifically halogenated oxidizers (chlorine, bromine, bleach, ClO2 and stabilized versions thereof), however, can react with residual hydrocarbons found in oilfield waters to produce halogenated hydrocarbons (AOXs). These products can often be difficult to biodegrade and many are of concern for water discharge.

OIL AND GAS

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Contact Information

Central and Eastern Europe: Turkey +90-216-571-16-00 Russia +7-495-663-78-20 Poland +48-22-833-22-22 Western Europe: +800-3-694-6367 (toll-free) +31-115-67-26-26 (phone) +31-115-67-28-28 (fax) North America: +1-800-447-4369 (toll-free) +1-989-832-1560 (phone) +1-989-832-1465 (fax) Middle East and Africa: UAE +971-4-332-88-66 South Africa +800-99-5078 (toll-free)

Greater China: Shanghai +86-21-3851-1000 Beijing +86-10-8527-9199 Guangzhou +86-20-3813-0600 Taiwan +886-227-718-000 Southeast Asia: Philippines +63-2-867-3293 Indonesia +62-21-2995-6273 Singapore +65-6830-4575 +65-6796-6217 Thailand +66-2365-7371 Vietnam +84-8-3822-5808 Malaysia +603-7965-5200 Australia and New Zealand: +61-3-9226-3500 (phone) +61-3-9226-3562 (fax)

Japan and Korea: Japan +81-3-5460-2261 Korea +82-2-3490-4348 Indian Subcontinent: +91-22-6793-4953 (phone) +91-22-6793-4924 (fax) Latin America: +55-11-5188-9555 (phone) +55-11-5188-9400 (fax) Other Global Areas: +1-989-832-1560 (phone) +1-989-832-1465 (fax)

NOTICE: No freedom from any patent owned by Seller or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for Customers use and for ensuring that Customers workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other governmental enactments. Seller assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED. Please note that not all products are registered in all regions for all applications. Please contact your local Dow representative for detailed technical information applicable to your individual situation. USE BIOCIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE. Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow Form Number: 253-02697- 09/24/12 -TCG.

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