Micro-Bac International, Inc.
Litho-Bac
General Description Litho-BacTM is a proprietary combination of natural, facultative anaerobic bacteria used in oil well operations to inhibit scale formation. Litho-Bac has some corrosion inhibition properties. Scale formation is inhibited through Litho-Bac's metabolic by-products, including alcohols, ketones, organic acids, and biosurfactants. Litho-Bac also has a limited ability to disperse, dissolve, and prevent paraffin deposition.
Application of Litho-Bac protects the formation face, as well as downhole and surface equipment from scale deposition by sequestering and chelating major cations, such as calcium, magnesium, and barium. Some by-products of metabolism, the ketones and organic acids, are chelating agents that can inhibit the scale crystallization process. This is accomplished by bonding with the cation and preventing it from bonding with the anion to form an insoluble scale. This is similar to the process by which chemical inhibitors work. Litho-Bac further protects equipment with biosurfactants that remove previously deposited solids, which cause under-deposit corrosion.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Color | light pink to tan |
| pH | 6.5 - 8 |
| Weight per gallon | 8.51 lbs. |
| Specific Gravity | 1.02 |
| Freeze Point | 32° F |
| Viscosity | 1.30 cps at 60° F |
| Odor | mild organic |
Application Litho-Bac comes as a ready-to-use liquid fomulation and can be introduced to the well by batch or squeeze treatments. Batch treatments usually involve the product being applied to the annulus and flushed with clean lease or fresh water. For optimum performance, it is recommended that the well be shut in for one to three days after treatment; however, this is not mandatory.
Treatment begins with an inoculation to establish the bacterial population of the well system. Thereafter, at predetermined intervals, maintenance doses of Litho-Bac can be added to maintain the colony of bacteria.
Squeeze treatment applications are a function of fluid porosity, perforation interval, and desired depth of penetration. The well is shut in for three to seven days.