“Despite an intensive biocide program, the customer never achieved the desired results. However, the impact of Verza360 was immediate and dramatic, especially in reducing H₂S levels. Since implementing Verza360 at the frac site, there has been no H₂S detected during and after the 90-day flow back monitoring period. This program not only saved the customer about $2 million annually but also cut H₂S scavenger use by 85%.” 

Missed the webinar? Reach out to energysolutions@solugen.com to request the link to the recording. 

Solugen recently held a webinar to discuss its Verza360 line of organic acid-based products for biocide potentiation. The takeaway? Verza360 is an incredibly versatile additive that can be dosed at various levels to help oil & gas operators improve the efficiency of their biocide treatment programs, save money, and reduce their environmental impact. 

The Challenge

Microbial growth impacts product quality, asset integrity and productivity in oilfield systems.  For microbial control in oil and gas, biocides are used to mitigate poor heat transfer, microbially induced corrosion (MIC), plugging and fouling. Yet even in carefully designed biocide systems, operators still have challenges keeping microbial populations under control. Problems like biocide deactivation, lack of adequate monitoring, cost, and toxicity can compound to create an expensive and ineffective solution.   

The Answer

Solugen’s Verza360 additive, which reduces interference from inorganic environmental contaminants. Without this interference, systems using common biocides, such as glutaraldehyde, glut/quat mixtures, and THPS can show improved biocide performance while lowering overall active biocide use and improving toxicity profile. 

Why It Works

Inorganic materials such as salts and metal ions can deactivate biocides in produced water systems. THPS, for example, shows strong performance against biofilm, H₂S, and iron sulfide in fouled and matured systems. However, as THPS is an excellent iron chelator, there typically isn’t enough THPS remaining to achieve minimum effective concentration to control bacteria.  This in turn leads operators to overdose biocides, all the while experiencing marginal performance improvement.  

Verza360 has a higher affinity to interact with environmental particles than it does with biocides. Thus, operators can consume less biocide as Verza360 helps prevent its deactivation.

Scenario #1

An operator was using two biocides, THPS and DDAC, to treat 45,000 bbl/day in their produced water (PW) recycling system. They were also using a glutaraldehyde/quat-based biocide at the frac site. They were trying to control sulfate reducing and general bacteria activity going into their above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) and in-ground water pits. Instead, they observed bacterial growth despite the costly biocide treatment. 

Through a trial conducted in three phases, Verza demonstrated its ability to enhance biocide performance, resulting in a 50% reduction in overall chemical use, estimated annual savings of $2 million, and a significant decrease in bacterial activity, thereby reducing environmental impact. 

Scenario #2

Another field trial with Verza360 was conducted with a partner in the MidCon region at a production site that had historically seen bacteria. The bacteria had resulted in failures and significant corrosion within the system, despite a glute/quat program in place. Treating the system with Verza360 enabled 70-80% reduction in biocide use and bug bottle turns in their produced water. After the study ended and Verza360 was no longer used, bacteria levels started trending back to their original state. Once again, Verza360 had a positive impact on system performance, saving the customer time and money by incorporating this additive into its biocide program. 

Scenario #3 

An offshore operator in Brazil experienced biofilm and H₂S generation in an FPSO Slop Tank, creating a challenging environment for biocide efficacy. The operator faced problems including a slow flow rate with long turnover, H₂S generation due to the presence of old, stabilized biofilms, and requirements for water discharge ecotoxicity. Our field trial tested various dose combinations of THPS and THPS alone over a 24-day period. Ultimately, using Verza enabled improved biocide performance and H₂S Control. The outcomes included >50% reduced biocide consumption, improved microbial control, and H₂S levels below the method detection limit. 

When biocide performance improves, you achieve efficiency, reduced chemical use and costs. We like to call this decarbonizing without compromising. 

To receive the link to the webinar or to speak with one of our oil & gas chemical experts, please contact us at energysolutions@solugen.com or visit www.solugen.com/oilandgas.