Paraffin Control

Crude oils containing paraffinic hydrocarbons tend to thicken and solidify as temperatures approach the cloud point, resulting in wax deposition within tubing, flowlines, and the near‑wellbore region. These deposits restrict flow, increase frictional pressure losses, and can ultimately obstruct production.

To address paraffin buildup, operators often perform mechanical removal or hot‑oil circulation. Hot‑oiling involves injecting heated crude to raise temperatures above the paraffin cloud point, temporarily restoring flow. However, repeated thermal treatments can negatively impact reservoir integrity by damaging permeability, mobilizing fines, or re‑depositing wax within pore spaces. These operations also incur significant costs and production downtime.

PetroBiotics microbial treatments mitigate paraffin‑related issues by degrading organic particulates and waxy precipitates within the wellbore and surrounding formation. Through metabolic processes, these microorganisms break down paraffinic compounds into smaller, more mobile constituents, reducing deposition and improving flow characteristics. Restoring permeability in this way enhances production efficiency and extends the economic life of mature wells.

Overview

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), particularly Desulfovibrio vulgaris, are primary contributors to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in oilfield tubing, production equipment, and injection systems. Their ability to form persistent biofilms within tanks, pipelines, and reservoir interfaces makes them extremely difficult to eradicate using conventional biocide programs. Acid-producing bacteria (APB) introduce additional operational and integrity challenges through acid generation, scaling, and synergistic biofilm formation.

ChainBreaker Mechanism of Action

ChainBreaker introduces a highly concentrated, specialized microbial blend engineered to interrupt the metabolic pathways that sustain SRB/APB populations.

Core mechanism: sulfur-source displacement and metabolic starvation

1. SRB rely on iron sulfide (FeS) as a key component in their metabolic cycle and protective biofilm structure.
2. ChainBreaker microbes enzymatically cleave the Fe–S bond, releasing sulfur from iron complexes.
3. The liberated sulfur is incorporated into ChainBreaker microbial cell walls as part of their natural metabolic assimilation.
4. As the microbial population grows and divides, demand for sulfur increases, accelerating FeS breakdown.
5. With FeS depleted, SRB and APB lose both a critical nutrient and a protective environmental niche, leading to sustained population decline.

Economic Impact

ChainBreaker provides a mechanism-based solution, not a chemical band-aid. By removing the environmental foundation required for SRB/APB survival, operators achieve:

• Significant reductions in biocide consumption
• Lower maintenance and remediation costs
• Fewer corrosion failures and workovers
• Improved system reliability and operational stability

Overview

ChainBreaker® is a microbial formulation engineered to reduce and control hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in oil-producing formations, produced water systems, and surface facilities. It targets the biological root cause of H₂S generation—sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB)—while improving reservoir conditions and reducing corrosion and scale.

Mechanism 1: Competition With Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB)

ChainBreaker® microbes compete directly with SRB for essential nutrients and electron donors. By consuming the organic substrates that SRB require to metabolize, ChainBreaker® limits SRB growth and reduces their ability to generate H₂S through sulfate reduction.

Mechanism 2: Redirecting Sulfate Into Non-H₂S Byproducts

Certain microbial strains within ChainBreaker® convert sulfate into non-toxic compounds instead of hydrogen sulfide. This reduces the availability of sulfate, which is a key reactant in biological souring. As sulfate becomes limited, SRB activity declines and H₂S formation is reduced.

Mechanism 3: Starvation of SRB Energy Sources

ChainBreaker® microbes metabolize organic acids, hydrocarbons, and other compounds that SRB typically use as electron donors. By removing these energy sources, ChainBreaker® suppresses SRB populations and disrupts the H₂S production cycle.

Mechanism 4: Biofilm Disruption

SRB commonly grow in protective biofilms within tubing, near-wellbore regions, and water systems. ChainBreaker® produces natural biosurfactants and enzymes that break down these biofilms. This exposes SRB to environmental stress and prevents regrowth, further reducing H₂S generation.

Mechanism 5: Reduction of Iron Sulfide (FeS) Scale

H₂S reacts with iron to form iron sulfide scale, which can trap SRB and promote corrosion. ChainBreaker® chelates iron and helps dissolve FeS deposits, removing microbial habitats and improving flow efficiency.

Mechanism 6: Long-Term Reservoir Souring Prevention

Unlike traditional biocides that temporarily kill bacteria, ChainBreaker® creates a competitive and stable microbial environment that suppresses SRB over the long term. This results in sustained H₂S control without the environmental and operational drawbacks of chemical treatments.

Summary

ChainBreaker® mitigates H₂S production through competitive microbial activity, nutrient diversion, biofilm breakdown, sulfate conversion, and FeS scale reduction. These mechanisms work together to provide long-term H₂S reduction, lower corrosion, improved reservoir performance, and safer production operations.