EOSCA’s Biocides Working Group have met and are responding to Cefic and ECHA requests for expert input into oilfield specific areas of the Biocidal Products Regulation.

The BWG have been discussing the recently drafted guidance on PT11 (Preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems) and PT12 (Slimicides) borderline cases guidance, and have also been discussing the development of guidance on efficacy testing for PT12 products.

The particular nuance for PT12 products in oilfield applications is that, due to the majority of installations being mature, biofilms will already exist in these systems, and so the treatment of these systems is two -fold, to remove existing biofilms and limit or prevent the building/development of further biofilms.  Oilfield installations also represent specific and novel challenges for conducting efficacy field studies.  The BWG will offer their experience and knowledge of the industry with respect to biocide efficacy testing.