Value of On-site Access to Advanced Microbial Diagnostic Techniques in the Investigation of Biofouling at a Saudi Aramco Remote Facility

Abstract In order to determine the impact of biofouling challenges, remote areas rely on testing facilities causing issues with sample validity and a long wait time to obtain results. This case study examines a remote facility that utilized on-site microbial testing to determine the impact of biofouling on the operation of an in-plant lagoon system. Four sludge samples were collected: lagoon surface foam, bottom shell growth, bottom shell black mud, and a sludge-plugged strainer. The goal was to determine if biofouling was contributing to sludge accumulation in the lagoon. Samples were subjected to on-site qPCR testing to determine sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) counts. Another batch of samples from the same locations were transported to a testing facility to undergo similar tests. Due to quick sample-to-results time availed by the access to testing, results were obtained in <5 days. Results point to a significant number of SRB in all samples (~106 to 107 counts/g) that indicate a contamination of the lagoon, which may be source of sludge. Results obtained from the testing facility largely agree with the remote facility testing for all samples. Additionally, the engineering team was able to rapidly devise a sludge treatment strategy to alleviate biofouling.