Drilling & production: Microbes enhance oil recovery through various mechanisms

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

Abstract

Microbial EOR (MEOR) methods rely on microorganisms and their metabolic products to mobilize residual oil in several different ways. MEOR mechanisms include interfacial tension reduction, selective plugging, gas production, biodegradation, and wettability alteration. A discussion on MEOR covers its mechanisms; background information on enhanced oil production; comparison of MEOR with traditional EOR methods; bacteria that produce biosurfactants which reduce oil-water interfacial tension; selective plugging; test injected bacteria solution; viscosity reduction; wettability alteration; bacteria delivery; bacteria flooding; and feeding existing bacteria.

Original languageEnglish
Pages34-40+42-43
Volume107
No.31
Specialist publicationOil and Gas Journal
Publication statusPublished - Aug 17 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Drilling & production: Microbes enhance oil recovery through various mechanisms'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this