OREANDA-NEWS  Russian specialists have developed an import-substituting system of genetic research for biocorrosion of oil and gas pipelines and presented it at the III International Conference "Corrosion and New Materials of the Oil and Gas Industry", which was held on May 25 at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), the press service of the Fund for Infrastructure Educational Programs (FIOP) reports.

According to expert data, more than 40% of cases of corrosion of oil and gas pipelines in the world are caused by bacterial infection.

"The protocols of the oil and gas companies of the West prescribe regular monitoring of oil and gas pipelines for biocorrozzia. Therefore, foreign oil companies regularly order genetic studies for seven groups of bacteria that cause biocorrosion of highways and changes in the composition of crude oil. Not so long ago, such genetic studies for Russian companies could only be ordered abroad. With the introduction of sanctions, ordering tests in Europe became almost impossible, but we were completely ready for this and did not lose anything. We have developed a domestic system for genetic research on biocorrosion with the highest accuracy, clearly defining quantitative and qualitative indicators. This, in turn, allows the oil company to take timely measures to eliminate contamination, not to carry out expensive repairs of equipment and pipelines, minimize environmental risks and associated financial and reputational losses," the press service quotes Denis Nikitinsky, CEO of the Biospark startup.

Biotech startup "TechnoSpark" BioSpark performs genetic studies for biocorrosion using full-genome NGS sequencing and PCR technologies. The equipment used allows you to perform genetic studies with an accuracy of 99.995%, that is, to find even one harmful archaea or bacterium among 20 thousand microorganisms.