A Review of Characterization and Quantification Tools for Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in the Oil and Gas Industry: Current and Future Trends

This review evaluates the analytical methods used for detecting microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), which is an aggressive microbiota-facilitated degradation of engineering materials, and discusses their advantages and limitations. The challenges presented by the lack of a comprehensive mechanistic understanding on MIC detection, which include the need to use a combined array of morphological, chemical, electrochemical, and biological characterization for MIC detection, are thoroughly discussed using multiple case studies from the literature. The paradigm shifts and research necessary for the early and real-time monitoring of MIC are presented.