Dow Microbial Control introduces new winterized water treatment microbiocides

WILMINGTON, Delaware -- As hydraulic fracturing activity ramps up in colder locations across the U.S. to meet growing energy demand, harsher temperatures and environmental conditions remain a challenge. Providing the market with a cold-weather solution, Dow Microbial Control, a business unit of DowDuPont Specialty Products, has launched two new products within its AQUCAR Water Treatment Microbiocides portfolio: AQUCAR TN 250 LT Water Treatment Microbiocide and AQUCAR 7140 LT Water Treatment Microbiocide.

“Shale basins are dependent, in part, on their surrounding environment. As demand for oil increases in the Canada, Bakken and Marcellus basins, so has the need for biocide products that can perform under extreme temperatures,” said Joe Ferrara, global industry leader for energy and water at DuPont Industrial Biosciences. “Our new biocides – winterized with methanol – help operators extend microbial control down to negative 40° F, with a host of additional benefits.”

A cost-effective formulation for cold-weather regions

Engineered to meet the demands of cold climates, AQUCAR 7140 LT Water Treatment Microbiocide is highly effective in controlling problematic microorganisms across a variety of conditions. The glutaraldehyde-ADBAC blend is efficacious over a broad temperature and pH range, and resists freezing at temperatures as low as -40° F. Compatible with most fracturing fluid additives, the biocide is effective in controlling slime-forming and sulfate-reducing varieties of bacteria, and helps enhance operational sustainability.

“From topside to downhole, glutaraldehyde has proved to be one of the most versatile biocides available – efficacious in the preparation and decontamination hydraulic fracturing phases – with short-term effectiveness as a protective biocide. However, when combined with a quaternary ammonium, like ADBAC, its performance sees a noticeable increase in speed of kill,” said Ferrara. “AQUCAR 7140 LT’s synergistic combination is highly effective in controlling bacteria and is ideally-suited to meet the diverse demands of most oil and gas applications.”

Efficient well completions

New AQUCAR TN 250 LT Water Treatment Microbiocide is an antimicrobial agent designed to control bacteria under reservoir conditions for months, and is winterized to minimize freezing at temperatures as low as -40° F. When co-dosed with glutaraldehyde or DBNPA, the solution provides excellent compatibility with high temperatures, high salinity, fracturing fluid additives and sub-surface rock matrix, and helps minimize and delay the impact of souring, microbial induced corrosion, biofouling and plugging. The product also helps reduce amounts of contaminated flowback and produced water.

Both microbial control products are approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with additional registrations underway.