diff --git a/code/spectral_utilities.f90 b/code/spectral_utilities.f90
index 34eb0eab0..a33c7a9f5 100644
--- a/code/spectral_utilities.f90
+++ b/code/spectral_utilities.f90
@@ -227,12 +227,13 @@ subroutine utilities_init()
                 trim(PETScDebug), &
                 ' add more using the PETSc_Options keyword in numerics.config '; flush(6)
 
- call PetscOptionsClear(ierr); CHKERRQ(ierr)
- if(debugPETSc) call PetscOptionsInsertString(trim(PETSCDEBUG),ierr)
+ call PetscOptionsClear(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,ierr)
  CHKERRQ(ierr)
- call PetscOptionsInsertString(trim(petsc_defaultOptions),ierr)
+ if(debugPETSc) call PetscOptionsInsertString(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,trim(PETSCDEBUG),ierr)
  CHKERRQ(ierr)
- call PetscOptionsInsertString(trim(petsc_options),ierr)
+ call PetscOptionsInsertString(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,trim(petsc_defaultOptions),ierr)
+ CHKERRQ(ierr)
+ call PetscOptionsInsertString(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,trim(petsc_options),ierr)
  CHKERRQ(ierr)
 
  grid1Red = grid(1)/2_pInt + 1_pInt
diff --git a/installation/patch/README.md b/installation/patch/README.md
index 86ed44f0d..f5b9f9706 100644
--- a/installation/patch/README.md
+++ b/installation/patch/README.md
@@ -13,5 +13,3 @@ patch -p1 < installation/patch/nameOfPatch
 
   * **fwbw_derivative** switches the default spatial derivative from continuous to forward/backward difference.  
     This generally reduces spurious oscillations in the result as the spatial accuracy of the derivative is then compatible with the underlying solution grid.
-  * **petsc3.7** adapts to API changes introduced between PETSc 3.6.x and 3.7.x for setting PETSc options.  
-    Use this patch if your system runs PETSc 3.7.x.
diff --git a/installation/patch/petsc3.7 b/installation/patch/petsc3.7
deleted file mode 100644
index b5fd696fb..000000000
--- a/installation/patch/petsc3.7
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-diff --git a/code/spectral_utilities.f90 b/code/spectral_utilities.f90
-index 34eb0ea..a33c7a9 100644
---- a/code/spectral_utilities.f90
-+++ b/code/spectral_utilities.f90
-@@ -227,12 +227,13 @@ subroutine utilities_init()
-                 trim(PETScDebug), &
-                 ' add more using the PETSc_Options keyword in numerics.config '; flush(6)
- 
-- call PetscOptionsClear(ierr); CHKERRQ(ierr)
-- if(debugPETSc) call PetscOptionsInsertString(trim(PETSCDEBUG),ierr)
-+ call PetscOptionsClear(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,ierr)
-  CHKERRQ(ierr)
-- call PetscOptionsInsertString(trim(petsc_defaultOptions),ierr)
-+ if(debugPETSc) call PetscOptionsInsertString(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,trim(PETSCDEBUG),ierr)
-  CHKERRQ(ierr)
-- call PetscOptionsInsertString(trim(petsc_options),ierr)
-+ call PetscOptionsInsertString(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,trim(petsc_defaultOptions),ierr)
-+ CHKERRQ(ierr)
-+ call PetscOptionsInsertString(PETSC_NULL_OBJECT,trim(petsc_options),ierr)
-  CHKERRQ(ierr)
- 
-  grid1Red = grid(1)/2_pInt + 1_pInt