What is the best way to monitor oilfield microbes?

NCIMB has worked with biofilms from various locations and in a number of different ways over the years, but the main area that we have focused on is the monitoring of microbial populations in biofilms that influence microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in offshore oil and gas production facilities. It is important that oil and gas operators monitor the location, prevalence and diversity of these populations in order to generate data to aid the mitigation of the effects of pitting corrosion. Such localised corrosion is difficult to predict and detect – and can lead to sudden failures that may cause major disruption to operations – as well as detrimental effects to the marine environment.