Abdulmohsen A. Al-Humam of the Research and Development (R&D) Center completed some research that could have far-reaching effects on Saudi Aramco oil production. His thesis, “Effects of Nitrate on Mixed Bacterial Communities in an Oilfield Water Distribution System,” sheds light on the processes that control micro-organisms at oil facilities. “Unfortunately, for years, industries disregarded the concept of biological souring of oil field reservoirs,” said Al-Humam. “This resulted in production facilities being designed and built without consideration of the long-term effects that microorganisms might have on the operation and maintenance of these facilities.” Al-Humam's research was presented at the Reservoir Microbiology Forum, held by the British Energy Institute in London, and at the Corrosion Conference held by NACE International, according to a report carried by Saudi Aramco's web-site.
