DNA & Microbial Diagnostics Testing

Advanced Microbial Diagnostics for Asset Protection and Performance

OSP’s DNA Testing services provide advanced microbial diagnostics for oil & gas, fuels, and industrial water systems where asset integrity, production reliability, and risk management matter. Instead of “throwing chemistry at the problem,” DNA testing identifies the actual microbial drivers behind corrosion (MIC), H₂S generation and souring, biofilm and slime formation, fuel degradation, process instability, and premature asset failure. OSP not only provides the testing, but interpretive, contextualized reporting unique in the space. Using modern molecular techniques, OSP delivers functional and identification-based microbial analysis that helps asset owners optimize treatment programs, protect infrastructure, and reduce operational risk. This is the most robust level of microbial insight available, designed for decision-makers who need clarity, not guesswork.

Why DNA Testing Matters

Microbial problems are rarely random. They are systemic. Without proper diagnostics, asset owners risk:

Overtreating or undertreating systems
Masking root causes
Accelerated corrosion
Production loss
Regulatory exposure
Unexpected equipment failures

DNA-based microbial diagnostics allow asset owners to:

Identify specific microorganisms responsible for corrosion or souring
Understand functional microbial activity
Detect early-stage microbial shifts before visible failures occur
Optimize biocide selection and dosage
De-risk operations through data-backed decisions
Estimate total microbes: living dead and dormant

The goal isn’t just to control microbes — it’s to optimize your entire treatment strategy.

DNA Testing Options

OSP offers two levels of DNA-based analysis depending on your objective.

DNA qPCR — Targeted Functional Analysis

Best for: Spotlighting active problems quickly.

qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a targeted diagnostic tool used to quantify specific microbial groups known to cause operational problems.

This method is ideal when:

Corrosion or souring is suspected
You need rapid insight into the root cause
You are troubleshooting a treatment underperformance issue
You want to validate microbial reduction after treatment

qPCR provides:

Fast turnaround
Functional microbial insight
Clear identification of problem organisms
Actionable data for treatment decisions

Think of it as a focused diagnostic tool to identify the cause of a known issue.

DNA 16S Sequencing — Full Microbial Community Analysis

Best for: Baseline system understanding and long-term strategy

16S sequencing provides a comprehensive view of the entire microbial community within a system.

This method allows operators to:

Establish a microbial baseline
Understand interactions between microbial populations
Identify emerging risks early
Detect shifts before operational issues arise
Build more strategic treatment programs

16S sequencing provides deeper, system-wide insight — not just what’s present, but how microbial populations interact.

This is ideal for:

Asset integrity programs
Reservoir and long-life infrastructure
Highly regulated water systems
Proactive risk management

How the Process Works

1. Discovery Call:
OSP conducts an initial consultation to understand system history, operational challenges,  and treatment goals.

2. Sample Kit Delivery:
A testing kit is sent directly to the client with clear instructions for sample collection.

3. Laboratory Analysis:
Samples are analyzed using qPCR or 16S sequencing, depending on the selected testing scope.

4. Interpretive Reporting:
OSP delivers a detailed but clear report that includes: Microbial identification, Functional risk interpretation, Operational implications, and Treatment considerations.

5. Collaborative Review & Treatment Planning:
Unlike standard labs that provide raw data dumps, OSP’s reporting is collaborative and interpretive. After results are delivered, OSP works directly with clients to diagnose the issue, refine or build a treatment plan, optimize chemistry selection, and reduce risk moving forward. The goal isn’t just analysis but an actionable strategy.

From Diagnostics to Optimization

DNA Testing often feeds into:

Kill Studies
Biocide program refinement
Ongoing monitoring programs
Risk mitigation strategies

When microbial diagnostics guide treatment decisions, operators reduce downtime, extend asset life, and improve system reliability.

Request DNA Testing Support

If you are experiencing corrosion, souring, fuel instability, or inconsistent treatment performance, or if you simply want to build a smarter microbial control program.

What Makes OSP Different

Most labs provide data. OSP provides interpretation and collaboration.

Reports are not generic or automated, offering targeted analysis (SRB, APB, IRB, etc.)
Findings are contextualized for your system, identification of dominant risk pathways
Treatment decisions are data-driven, not guessed
Follow-up expert consultation is built into the process

DNA Diagnostics in Action

Real-world microbial challenges require real-world data. These case studies highlight how OSP’s DNA diagnostics have helped operators identify hidden risks, optimize treatment programs, and protect critical assets across North America.

Regional Microbial Community Clustering in Permian Pit Waters

Asset Owners across the Permian Basin provided pit and post-filter water samples to understand regional microbial trends affecting souring, corrosion, and treatment performance. OSP used DNA qPCR and 16S sequencing to analyze microbial communities and compare them across multiple sites.

Download Full Case Study

Frequently Asked Questions

DNA qPCR Testing

What is DNA qPCR testing?

DNA quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a targeted genetic testing method used to detect and quantify specific microbial groups without requiring growing bacteria on a culture media. qPCR testing packages are designed to identify microbes associated with biogenic souring and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). The method provides both quantitative and qualitative data on targeted organisms.

What does qPCR measure?

qPCR quantifies the total number of specific microbial targets present in a sample. It can detect bacteria and archaea associated with souring, sulfur cycling, iron oxidation/ reduction, and methanogenesis. Unlike ATP testing, which measures overall biomass, qPCR identifies and quantifies defined microbial functional groups or biomarkers.

What qPCR packages are available?

The Souring testing package targets organisms associated with hydrogen sulfide production, including sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), sulfur cycling organisms, Halanaerobium, sulfur oxidizing bacteria, sulfate reducing archaea, total bacteria, and total archaea. The MIC Package expands upon this by including methanogens, iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB), iron reducing bacteria (IRB), and specific MIC biomarkers such as micH and micC, which are associated with severe corrosion cases.

What are micH and micC biomarkers?

The micC gene is a biomarker found in certain highly corrosive sulfate reducing bacteria and encodes part of a c-type cytochrome unique to severely corrosive SRB. The micH gene is found in certain methanogens and encodes a nickel iron hydrogenase enzyme that can intensify MIC attack on steel. Detection of these biomarkers indicates increased corrosion risk and may need a tailored treatment program.

How does qPCR differ from culture testing?

qPCR does not require microbes to grow in a culture medium and can detect organisms regardless of their ability to form cultures. Traditional bottle tests may underestimate microbial populations or miss organisms that do not thrive in standard media, such as Halanaerobium, which cannot be detected in standard SRB culture media bottle tests. qPCR provides faster and more specific results, particularly for targeted functional groups of concern.

DNA 16S Sequencing

What is DNA 16S sequencing?

DNA 16S sequencing characterizes the full microbial community present in a sample and reports the relative abundance of organisms detected. It identifies dominant genera and provides insight into the overall microbial composition and potential functional risks within the system

What information does a 16S report provide?

A DNA 16S report outlines the most prevalent microbes detected in the sample along with their relative percentages of the total microbial population. It also includes a functional interpretation of microbial groups, such as sulfide producers, methanogens, acid producers, and iron related microbes. OSP’s technical team provides interpretation of potential risks associated with the microbial community identified.

When should DNA 16S sequencing be used?

DNA 16S sequencing is particularly useful for root cause investigations, souring issues, various corrosion issues, biocide program failures, or when establishing a baseline microbial profile. Since it evaluates the entire community rather than specific targets, it provides a broader diagnostic view than qPCR alone.

Have a water or microbial problem?

Our team can help you understand what’s happening, what’s causing it, and how to fix it — effectively and sustainably.

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