Complex interactions within a microbial consortium can induce severe corrosion in oil pipelines. This study investigated the mechanism of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) that led to failure of X52 steel pipelines after hydrostatic testing. Laboratory hydrostatic testing with untreated lake water and underground water were used to simulate and study the events that led to the actual corrosion. Biofilm analysis, weight loss, and several electrochemical measurements demonstrated rapid corrosion rates after hydrostatic testing. Analysis of microbial community structures revealed that methanogenic archaea and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), introduced by the hydrotest water, formed corrosive biofilms on X52 steel coupon surfaces that induced severe pitting.

微生物集团内部复杂的相互作用会导致石油管道严重腐蚀。这项研究调查了静压测试后导致X52钢质管道失效的微生物腐蚀（MIC）的机理。使用未经处理的湖水和地下水的实验室静水压试验来模拟和研究导致实际腐蚀的事件。生物膜分析，重量损失和一些电化学测量结果表明，静水压试验后腐蚀速度很快。对微生物群落结构的分析表明，由水压试验水引入的产甲烷古细菌和硫酸盐还原细菌（SRB）在X52钢试样表面形成了腐蚀性生物膜，导致严重的点蚀。