Operator Eliminates Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) Growth With Sodium Chloride Treatments, Reduces Costs

An operator in the Fayetteville Shale was experiencing heavy Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) growth, greater than 10,000,000 colony-forming units of bacteria per milliliter of fluid. This level of bacteria also caused a constant background of Hydrogen Sulfide production at elevated levels. As a stop gap measure, the pit was treated with Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂); however, this solution was expensive and would not prevent a future outbreak of bacteria due to quick dispersion of ClO₂.