Why H2S Can Be Overlooked in Early Stage of Field Development

In this paper we highlight several processes from drilling, sampling, metering and early production demonstrating difficulties in an accurate assessment of the initial H2S concentrations that may lead to underestimation of initial H2S concentrations in a reservoir fluid. We emphasize that a sudden detection of H2S in production streams may not be related to recent production lifetime activities such as microbial activity or migration and leakage from a H2S-rich formation. Possibly, the H2S was there initially, but it was never accurately detected. Application of biocides or other expensive mitigation techniques may thus be unwarranted. An integrated approach with proper sampling and analysis is required to investigate future H2S production risks.