Microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) is an electrochemical process in which microorganisms initiate, facilitate or accelerate metallic corrosion. MIC has been reported to account for 20 per cent of the total cost of corrosion and drives a worldwide market for microbial control that is worth billions of dollars annually. In particular, MIC of oil and gas production equipment and pipelines has significant costs and potentially serious environmental damage. The complex interactions between chemical, electrochemical and biological factors in the environment near the corroding surface have made identification of MIC mechanisms difficult. Particularly, it is very intricate to establish a direct association between microbial effects and corrosion failure as MIC does not produce a unique type of corrosion.
This presentation will provide an overview of current understanding of MIC and current research on the subject aimed at addressing key industry grand challenges. The presentation will cover findings on the role of microorganisms in metal dissolution in different environments, from the deep petroleum reservoirs at temperatures above 60°C to the cold-dark-anoxic environments in our deep oceans.