Ohio State Research Finds Microbes in Utica Well May be Corrosive

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Last year MDN brought you the story of researchers who found microbes (bacteria) living nearly two miles down in Utica Shale wells. They dubbed one of the never-before-seen bacterial "lifeforms" in the well Frackibacter. We immediately labeled it a different name: Frackenstein (see Frackenstein! Researchers Find New Life Form in Fracked Utica Wells). One of the Ohio State researchers who helped discover Frackenstein, Mike Wilkins, has continued his work. In a newly published study, titled "Sulfide Generation by Dominant Halanaerobium Microorganisms in Hydraulically Fractured Shales" (full copy below), Wilkins says a different bacteria he studied, that appeared in multiple Utica wells (called Halanaerobium) may be a cause for concern. In this new study, Halanaerobium was found to convert thiosulfates found in the environment to sulfide--which can be toxic to workers and corrosive to pipes and cement in the ground. Bear in mind this latest study appears to be pretty theoretical--and based on observations at a single Utica well. However, the research seems legit to us, and was not funded by anti-drilling organizations...

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