Microbial: Enhanced Oil Recovery Process (Meor)

MICROBIAL
ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY
PROCESS (MEOR)
Detailed Documentation &

Appraisal Of:
BY
EZEANYA, CHINYERE CHARITY (BSc. Hons)
(2010)
Miss Ezeanya, Chinyere Charity
ABSTRACT
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) refers to the recovery of oil that is left
behind after primary and secondary recovery methods have either been
exhausted or no longer economical.
Since 1946 more than 400 patents on MEOR have been issued, but none
has gained acceptance by the oil industry. Most of the literature on
MEOR is from laboratory experiments.
Primary recovery usually only accesses 30 to 35 per cent of the original

oil in place (OOIP).
Secondary and tertiary recovery methods may net a further 15 to 25 per

cent OOIP, leaving 30 to 55 per cent OOIP left behind as irrecoverable or
irreducible oil in the reservoir.
Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) technology targets the

remaining oil and aims at enabling production of 80 to 85 per cent of
OOIP.
There are different modes of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods.

These are: Chemical methods, Gas flooding, Microbial processes,
Thermal processes, Novel methods and Computer simulation.
Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) method relies on microbes to

ferment hydrocarbons and produce a by-product that is useful in the
recovery of oil. MEOR functions by channeling oil through preferred
pathways in the reservoir rock. This is done by closing/plugging off small
channels and forcing the oil to migrate through the larger pore spaces.
While it is clear that biocatalysis performed by microbes may promote
beneficial chemical reactions such as the production of biosurfactants in a
2
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR)
very specific and energy-efficient manner, a sound understanding of the

underlying principles is important to predict site-specific effects of
microbial activity on fluid flow in porous media and hence on the
efficiency of oil production.
Stimulating bacterial growth at an oil/water interface causes a substantial

reduction in interfacial tension (IFT), which in turn can help to
achieve improved oil recovery (IOR).
MEOR has two distinct advantages: microbes do not consume large

amounts of energy and the use of microbes is not dependent on the price
of crude oil, as compared with other EOR processes.
The Titan Process of MEOR is a dynamic, new and unique form of

Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR). The Titan Process injects
special nutrients into a reservoir which change the skin characteristics of
the individual microbes living in the reservoir biofilm and induces the
microbes to become oleophilic [oil-loving] and attach themselves to oil
droplets. The microbes then dislodge and uniquely break down the
trapped oil within the pore spaces into smaller droplets. These smaller
droplets can now more easily pass through the pore spaces of the
reservoir and become recoverable. A gentle emulsion is also formed by a
unique combination of oil, water and energized microbes. This emulsion
blocks thief zones, channelling and fingering, thereby allowing for
greatly improved sweep efficiency and a substantial reduction to the
water cut.
The prime consideration with MEOR is, therefore, how much additional
oil can be produced from reservoirs by stimulating the growth of
indigenous or injected bacteria.
3
TABLE OF CONTENT
PAGES
ABSTRACT 1
TABLE OF CONTENT 3
CHAPTER ONE
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Process 5
Modes of EOR 7
Chemical Methods 7
Gas Flooding 8
Thermal Process 9
Computer Simulation 10
Oil Recovery Factor 10
CHAPTER TWO
Description And History of MEOR 11
Description 11
History 12
Current Status of MEOR 14
CHAPTER THREE
The Science of MEOR 15
Biotechnology and MEOR 17
CHAPTER FOUR
Classification of MEOR 19
Ventures Working in MEOR 19
Microbial Flooding Recovery 21
CHAPTER FIVE
Mechanisms of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery 25
CHAPTER SIX
Types of MEOR 28
4
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Titan Process of MEOR 30
Avoiding Complexities 31
No Oxygen Required 32
CHAPTER EIGHT
Advantages of MEOR 35
CHAPTER NINE
Challenges 37
Environmental factors 37
Grounds of Failure 37
CHAPTER TEN 41
Conclusion
CHAPTER ELEVEN
References 44
Profile 48
5
CHAPTER ONE
ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (EOR) PROCESS
Discoveries of new reservoirs, is a high-risk business that companies

undertake hoping to achieve a correspondingly high return. Sometimes
they are successful but more often they are not. In many cases, increasing
the recovery of oil from existing reservoirs can be less expensive than
exploration and less risky as well. The reservoir will have already been
partially developed therefore wells and surface production facilities are
already in place.
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) refers to the recovery of oil that is left
behind after primary and secondary recovery methods are either
exhausted or no longer economical. EOR is a highly–individualized
process that is specific to each field’s characteristics.
6
Primary production is the first oil out, the “easy” oil. In primary recovery
process, when a well is been drilled and completed in a hydrocarbon–
bearing zone, the natural pressures at that depth will cause the oil to flow
through the rock or sand formation toward the lower pressure well bore,
where it is lifted to the surface. Primary recovery is the least expensive
method of extraction, since it uses natural forces to “move” the oil.
Secondary recovery methods are used when there is insufficient

underground pressure to move the remaining oil. The most common
technique, water flooding, utilizes injector wells to introduce large
volumes of water under pressure into the hydrocarbon–bearing zone. As
the water flows through the formation toward the producing well bore, it
sweeps some of the oil it encounters along with it. Upon reaching the
surface, the oil is separated out for sale and the water is re-injected (Cano
Petroleum).
Tertiary recovery method is implemented when water flooding for

secondary recovery reaches a point when production is no longer cost–
effective. This is the surfactant–polymer (SP) flooding. The chemical
components of the SP process, used alone or combined are mixed with
water which is injected into the formation as in a traditional water flood.
Surfactant cleans the oil off the rock – much like dish soap cuts the
grease in a frying pan; Polymer spreads the flow through more of the
rock.
MODES OF ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY
Several methods are employed in Enhanced Oil Recovery process. These

are:
7
Chemical Methods
Chemical methods focus mainly on alkaline–surfactant–polymer (ASP)

processes that involve the injection of micellar–polymers into the
reservoir. Chemical flooding reduces the interfacial tension between the
in–place crude oil and the injected water, allowing the oil to be produced.
Micellar fluids are composed largely of surfactants mixed with water.
Chemical flooding technologies are subdivided into alkaline–surfactant–
polymer processes, polymer flooding, profile modification, and water
shut off methods.
Gas Flooding
Gas flooding technologies primarily use carbon dioxide flooding as a

method to produce more oil from the reservoir by channeling gas into
previously-bypassed areas. Carbon dioxide flooding technologies,
experiment with a number of foams, gels, and thickening agents to

improve sweep efficiency. In the past decade flooding with nitrogen gas,
8
flue gas, and enriched natural gas have also shown some beneficial
results by increasing recovery when used to re–pressure reservoirs.
Nitrogen and flue gas may be useful in areas where CO2 is not
economically available for use (Cano Petroleum).
Thermal Processes
Heavy oil is recovered by introducing heat into the reservoir through

thermally controlled processes. Steam flooding and in situ combustion or
air injection are the most frequently-used thermal recovery methods.
Steam flooding is used extensively in the heavy oil reservoirs in
California. Steam flooding is conducted by injecting steam into reservoirs
that are relatively shallow, permeable, and thick, and contain moderately
viscous oil. The dominant mechanism in thermal recovery by steam is the
reduction in the viscosity of the oil, allowing flow to the well bore. In situ
combustion introduces heat in the reservoir by a process of injection air
and down hole ignition to burn portions of the oil to displace additional
oil. The combustion front is sustained and propagated through continuous
injection of air into the reservoir. Premature breakthrough of the
combustion front contributes to operational problems. Both steam
flooding and in situ combustion have high surface facility costs and
require special safety measures (Cano Petroleum).
Novel Methods
Novel methods include down hole electric heating, microwave heating,
seismic wave stimulation, and wetting ability reversal. Of these, seismic
stimulation has met with success in Russia and is currently being tested
in the U.S. Wetting ability studies to influence oil-wet and water-wet
conditions and to design a brine to reverse wetting ability show promise
for future EOR recovery.
9
Computer Simulation
Reservoir simulation is advancing rapidly with improved computing

capabilities. Reservoir simulators are useful in the design and prediction
of performance in EOR projects. Improved hardware and software
programs are becoming available that include EOR applications. The
development of computer clusters allows high speed data processing at
relatively low cost. Current goals are to develop software and user guides
that predict reservoir properties suitable to independent operators.
Reservoir simulation should be considered as a tool in any enhanced oil
recovery project.
Microbial Processes
Microbial enhanced oil recovery refers to the use of microorganisms to

retrieve additional oil from existing wells, thereby enhancing the
petroleum production of an oil reservoir. In this technique,
microorganisms are introduced into oil wells to produce harmless by-
products, such as slippery natural substances or gases, all of which help
propel oil out of the well. Because these processes help to mobilize the
oil and facilitate oil flow, they allow a greater amount to be recovered
from the well. MEOR is used in the third phase of oil recovery from a
well, known as tertiary oil recovery.
Recovering oil usually requires two to three stages, which are briefly
described as follows:
Stage 1: Primary Recovery – 12% to 15% of the oil in the well is

recovered without the need to introduce other substances into the well.
10
Stage 2: Secondary Recovery – The oil well is flooded with water or

other substances to drive out an additional 15% to 20% more oil from the
well.
Stage 3: Tertiary Recovery – This stage may be accomplished through

several different methods, including MEOR, to additionally recover up to
11% more oil from the well.
Oil Recovery Factor: This is also called overall hydrocarbon

displacement efficiency. This is the volume of hydrocarbon displaced
divided by the volume of hydrocarbon in place at the start of the process
measured at the same conditions of pressure and temperature.
Where,
Ev= macroscopic (volumetric) displacement efficiency; and
ED= microscopic (volumetric) hydrocarbon displacement efficiency.
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CHAPTER TWO
DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF MEOR
DESCRIPTION
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is a biological based

technology that manipulates function or structure, or both, of microbial
environments existing in oil reservoirs. The ultimate aim of MEOR is to
improve the recovery of oil entrapped in porous media while increasing
economic profits. As stated earlier, MEOR is a tertiary oil extraction
technology allowing the partial recovery of the commonly residual two-
thirds of oil, thus increasing the life of mature oil reservoirs.
MEOR is a multidisciplinary field incorporating, among others: geology,

chemistry, microbiology, fluids mechanics, petroleum engineering,
environmental engineering and chemical engineering. The microbial
processes proceeding in MEOR can be classified according to the oil
production problem in the field:
• well bore clean up removes mud and other debris blocking the
channels where oil flows through;
• well stimulation improves the flow of oil from the drainage area
into the well bore; and
• enhanced water floods increase microbial activity by injecting

selected microbes and sometimes nutrients. From the engineering
point of view, MEOR is a system integrated by the reservoir,
microbes, nutrients and protocol of well injection.
12
The microbes in MEOR are typically hydrocarbon-utilizing, non-

pathogenic micro-organisms that are naturally found in petroleum
reservoirs(in situ) or are introduced (ex situ). Injected nutrients, together
with indigenous or added microbes, promote in situ microbial growth and
generation of products which mobilize additional oil and move it to
producing wells through reservoir depressurization, interfacial tension/oil
viscosity reduction, and selective plugging of the most permeable zones.
Alternatively, the oil-mobilizing microbial products may be produced by
fermentation and injected into the reservoir.
HISTORY
This technology depends on the physicochemical properties of the

reservoir in terms of salinity, pH, temperature, pressure and nutrient
availability. Only bacteria are considered promising candidates for
microbial enhanced oil recovery. Moulds, yeasts, algae, protozoa are not
suitable due to their size or inability to grow under the conditions present
in the reservoirs. Many petroleum reservoirs have high Nacl
concentration and require the use of bacteria which can tolerate these
conditions (Jonathan et. al 2003).
The concept of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) was proposed

nearly 80 years ago. It has only received limited attention due to the
scepticism of potential users. The main concern of sceptics was the lack
of scientific proof that the purported results are caused by micro
organisms. The concept of using micro organisms to enhance oil
recovery, MEOR, was first proposed in 1926 by Beckman but, it was not
until the 1940's that the concept was actively researched by ZoBell and
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his colleagues. Since that time, multiplicity of microbiological

technologies has been developed to enhance oil recovery.
The various stages of development of MEOR are outline below:
First Stage: Initial ( to 1975)
In 1895, Miyoshi first reported the growth of a mould culture on n-

alkanes. In 1926, Bastin did the first extensive microbiological study
describing the widespread presence of SRB in oil-producing wells. At the
same year, Beckman suggested that microorganisms could be used to
release oil from porous media7. Later in 1946, as the most important
founder of MEOR, ZoBell patented a process for the secondary recovery
of petroleum, using anaerobic, hydrocarbon-utilizing, sulfate-reducing
bacteria such as Desulfovibrio species in situ8. The first field test was
carried out in the Lisbon field, Union County, AR in 1954. Kuznetsov et
al. found that bacteria discovered in some oil reservoirs in the Soviet
Union produced 2 gm of CO2 per day per ton of rock, in 1963.
Second Stage: Developmental (1975~1996)
From 1970s to late 1990s, MEOR research was boosted by the petroleum
crisis and later became a scientific substantiated EOR method. Many
international meetings were periodically organized on the MEOR topic
and proceedings volumes with the advances in the knowledge and
practice of MEOR have been publi
Third Stage: Rapid (1996~)
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From late 1990s, modern biological methods began to be applied on the

MEOR research, such as Molecular Ecological Technique of Microbes,
Protoplast Fusant Technology, and Recombination DNA Technology11,1 2.
Current Status of MEOR
The research of MEOR has been done worldwide, and most of oil
producing countries have applied this technology into oil fields for pilot
tests. Recently this technology has been widely used in oilfields of China,
such as Daqing, Shengli, Jilin, Dagang, Liaohe, Henan, Changqing,
Xinjiang, and Qinghai.
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CHAPTER THREE
THE SCIENCE OF MEOR
The microorganisms used in MEOR can be applied to a single oil well or

to an entire oil reservoir. They need certain conditions to survive, so
nutrients and oxygen are often introduced into the well at the same time.
MEOR also requires that water be present. Microorganisms grow
between the oil and the well's rock surface to enhance oil recovery by the
following methods:
Reduction of oil viscosity – Oil is a thick fluid that is quite viscous,

meaning that it does not flow easily. Microorganisms help break down
the molecular structure of crude oil, making it more fluid and easier to
recover from the well.
Production of carbon dioxide gas – As a by-product of metabolism,

microorganisms produce carbon dioxide gas. Over time, this gas
accumulates and displaces the oil in the well, driving it up and out of the
ground.
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Production of biomass – When microorganisms metabolize the nutrients

they need for survival, they produce organic biomass as a by-product.
This biomass accumulates between the oil and the rock surface of the
well, physically displacing the oil and making it easier to recover from
the well.
Selective plugging – Some microorganisms secrete slimy substances

called exopolysaccharides to protect themselves from drying out or
falling prey to other organisms. This substance helps bacteria plug the
pores found in the rocks of the well so that oil may move past rock
surfaces more easily. Blocking rock pores to facilitate the movement of
oil is known as selective plugging.
Production of biosurfactants – Microorganisms produce slippery

substances called surfactants as they breakdown oil. Because they are
naturally produced by biological microorganisms, they are referred to as
biosurfactants. Biosurfactants act like slippery detergents, helping the oil
move more freely away from rocks and crevices so that it may travel
more easily out of the well.
Case Study: An Exopolysaccharide Called Xanthan
The Xanthomans campestris bacteria produces a gummy substance called

Xanthan. Because Xanthan is molecularly composed of many different
sugars and is externally secreted, it is known as an exopolysaccharide.
Xanthan may be used in MEOR to lubricate oil drills, to help remove
rocks from the drill site, and to compensate for decreased pressure in
depleted oil wells, thereby facilitating the movement of oil up and out of
the well.
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BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEOR
MEOR is a direct application of biotechnology. It uses biological

materials, such as bacteria, microorganisms, and their products of
metabolism to facilitate the movement of oil out of a well, thereby
enhancing oil recovery. Other applications of biotechnology in MEOR
include genetic engineering techniques and recombinant DNA
technology, which are used to develop strains of bacteria with improved
oil recovery traits.
By inserting genes from one type of bacteria into another, scientists may
combine two desirable genetic traits into one microorganism. For
example, the temperature within an oil well is often too high for most
microorganisms to survive. By inserting a gene that codes for a bacteria's
ability to aid oil recovery into the genome of an existing bacteria that can
survive under high temperatures, scientists may produce microorganisms
that can both survive the heat of an oil well and also help retrieve oil. On
their own, each bacteria lacks a trait necessary for oil recovery
operations, but when combined through genetic engineering, the bacteria
become integral to MEOR.
Current Research Areas
The environmental conditions in an oil well make it very difficult for

bacteria to survive, and those that do often have a decreased ability to
carry out the chemical processes needed to enhance oil recovery.
Researchers are working to create strains of bacteria that are better able
to survive such harsh conditions but still retain the ability to carry out the
chemistry needed for MEOR. Genetic engineering is being used to
develop microorganisms that can not only live in the high temperatures
of an oil well, but can also subsist on inexpensive nutrients, remain
18
chemically active, and produce substantial amounts of biosurfactants.

Some researchers are developing bacteria that can be grown on
inexpensive agricultural waste material, which is abundant in supply and
is environmentally friendly.
Sustainable Development and MEOR
As MEOR reduces or eliminates the need to use harsh chemicals during

oil drilling, it is an environmentally compatible method of carrying out
tertiary oil recovery. MEOR will become increasingly economically
feasible as genetic engineering develops more effective microbial
bacteria that may subsist on inexpensive and abundant nutrients. Methods
for developing and growing MEOR bacteria are improving, thereby
lowering production costs and making it a more attractive alternative to
traditional chemical methods of tertiary oil recovery.
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CHAPTER FOUR
CLASSIFICATION OF MEOR
MODELS
Developing mathematical models for MEOR is very challenging since
physical, chemical and biological factors need to be considered.
Published MEOR models are composed of transport properties, local

equilibrium, breakdown of filtration theory and physical straining. Such
models are so far simplistic and they were developed based on:
(A) Fundamental conservation laws, cellular growth, retention kinetics of

biomass, and biomass in oil and aqueous phases. The main aim was to
predict porosity retention as a function of distance and time.
(B) Filtration model to express bacterial transport as a function of pore

size; and relate permeability with the rate of microbial penetration by
applying Darcy’s law.
VENTURES WORKING IN MEOR
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Mainly, MEOR is classified as surface MEOR and underground MEOR

based on the place where microorganisms work. For surface MEOR,
biosurfactand (Rhamnolipid), biopolymer (xanthan gum), and enzyme
are produced in the surface facilities. These biological products are
injected into the target place in the reservoirs as chemical EOR methods.
While, for underground MEOR, microorganisms, nutrients and/or other
addictives are injected into the reservoir and let them sustain, grow,
metabolize, and ferment underground.
Based on the source of microorganisms, underground MEOR is

categorized into in-situ MEOR and indigenous MEOR. While according
to procedures of processes, underground MEOR is sorted as:
• Cyclic Microbial Recovery (Huff and Puff, Single Well

Stimulation)
• Wax Removal and Paraffin Inhibition (Wellbore Cleanup)
21
• Microbial Flooding Recovery

• Selective Plugging Recovery
• Acidizing/Fracturing
Cyclic Microbial Recovery
A solution of microorganisms and nutrients is introduced into an oil

reservoir during injection. The injector is then shut in for an incubation
period allowing the microorganisms to produce carbon dioxide gas and
surfactants that help to mobilize the oil. The well is then opened and oil
and products resulting from the treatment are produced. This process may
be repeated. The figure here illustrates this technology.
Illustration of Cyclic Microbial Recovery
MICROBIAL FLOODING RECOVERY
Recovery by this method utilizes the effect of microbial solutions on a

reservoir. The reservoir is usually conditioned by a water preflush, then a
solution of microorganisms and nutrients is injected. As this solution is
pushed through the reservoir by drive water, it forms gases and
surfactants that help to mobilize the oil. The resulting oil and product
22
solution is then pumped out through production wells. The figure below
diagrammatizes this technology.
Illustration of Microbial Flooding Recovery
Microbial growth can be either within the oil reservoir (in situ) or on the
surface where the byproducts from microbes grown in vats, are
selectively removed from the nutrient media, and then injected into the
reservoir.
The prime consideration with MEOR is how much additional oil can be
produced from reservoirs by stimulating the growth of indigenous or
injected bacteria. This is accomplished by adding nutrients to injection
water.
When certain types of microbes are stimulated in core samples of

reservoir sandstone in the laboratory, they improve oil production by
mobilising residual oil trapped in the pore space.
23
This is probably because the bacteria induce changes in the interfacial

tension (IFT) between the oil and the water, and possibly also because
they cause a change in wetting properties.
Researchers at Statoil and Norway’s Sintef foundation have made a

significant advance by quantitatively monitoring changes in IFT at a
simple oil/water interface using an advanced laser-light scattering
technique.
Microbially induced reduction in interfacial tension with time.
The graph of IFT versus time shows that the bacteria induced a 6,000-
fold exponential reduction in the IFT.
Displacement of Oil by Metabolites of Inoculated Bacteria Grown In

Situ
Injection of bacterial suspensions followed by nutrients to produce

biopolymer and microbial itself, which may plug the high permeability
zone in the reservoir. The reduction of permeability would change the
inject profile and achieve conformance control.
This development is thought to occur because the bacterial growth

requires both carbon from the oil and nutrients from the formation water.
24
Since they occur in the water, the bacteria need to penetrate the oil/water
interface to access the carbon.
They achieve this by producing a biosurfactant (tenside), which reduces

the IFT and thus lowers the energy needed for breakthrough.
Statoil is thought to be the only company in the world using MEOR on an

offshore field, in this case Norne in the Norwegian Sea.
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CHAPTER FIVE
MECHANISMS OF MICROBIAL ENHANCED OIL RECOVER

(MEOR)
An approach to apply MEOR technology considers primarily:
a. microbiological studies to select the appropriate microorganisms

and
b. mobilization of oil in laboratory experiments before oil field
application. Ten bacterial strains identified as Pseudomonas

aeruginosa, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus
polymyxa, Micrococcus varians, Micrococcus sp. and two Vibrio
species demonstrated potential to be used in oil recovery. Strains
of B. licheniformis and B. polymyxa produced the most active
surfactants and proved to be the most anaerobic and thermo
tolerant among the selected bacteria. Micrococcus and B. brevis
were the most salt-tolerant and polymer producing bacteria,
respectively, whereas Vibrio sp. and B. polymyxa strains were the
most gas-producing bacteria.
The mechanisms by which the bacteria can improve the oil recovery are
as follows:
(a) Biodegradation of Crude Oil: A proposed mechanism of MEOR is

utilization of bacteria that can degrade crude oil and consume its heavy
fractions. As a result of this process, oil becomes a lighter and more
valuable product as a result of a decrease in viscosity (Bryant and Burch.
26
eld, 1989). Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, and other aerobic bacteria are

especially effective in the degradation of crude oil (Bushnell and Haas,
1941; Bryant, 1990). However, this degradation is confined to lighter
portions of petroleum—especially paraffins—and bacterial treatment is
beneficial for removal of paraffins from the wellbore, which can restrict
the flow seriously (Pelger, 1992).
(b) Gas Production: The bacterially produced gases (such as CO2, N2,
H2, and CH4) improve the oil recovery in 2 ways:
• Dissolves in the crude oil and thus reduces its viscosity
• Increases the pressure in the reservoir (Donaldson and Clark,

1982).
The source of this produced gas is in-situ fermentation of carbon sources

such as glucose by usually anaerobic bacteria (Jack, 1983). The most
important gas-producing bacteria are Clostridium, Desulfovibrio,
Pseudomonas, and certain methanogenes (Bryant and Burch. eld, 1989).
(c) Production of Chemicals: Chemicals that can be useful in the

improvement of oil recovery such as organic acids, alcohols, solvents,
surfactants, and polymers are produced by a wide array of
microorganisms (Bryant and Lockhart, 2001).
(d) Selective Plugging: Apart from these techniques, bacteria can be

used in selective plugging (permeability modification) operations. In this
method, polymers or bacteria themselves are used to reduce the
permeability of highly permeable zones or of water channels that form in
heterogeneous reservoirs. Thus the unswept formations are invaded by
the water and sweep efficiency increases (Production Operations, 1997).
27
Bacillus, Xanthamonas, and Leuconostoc strainsare reported to be

effective in such processes (Yakimov et al., 1997; Jennemanet al., 1994).
(e) Other Techniques: Other uses of bacteria in the petroleum industry

include the control of unwanted bacteria (such as sulfate-reducing
bacteria) in oil fields (Hitzman and Sperl, 1994) and biodegradation of
hazardous wastes caused by petroleum-related activities for the
controlling and removal of environmental pollution (Ronchel et al.,
1995).
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CHAPTER SIX
TYPES OF MICROBIAL PROCESSES IN MEOR
MEOR processes continue to be evaluated for the following different

applications:
Microbial Well Stimulation: This process uses microbes that produce

gases in the oil reservoir.
Microbial Enhanced Water flooding: This process requires the

transportation of nutrients over a long distance within the reservoir; is still
in the developmental phase.
Profile Control and Sweep Improvement: This process uses microbes

that produce polymers, biomass, and slimes that selectively plug
the more permeable zones (Mclnerney and Sublette 1997).
CONTRIBUTION OF MICROBIAL PRODUCTS
Microbial enhanced oil recovery – participating micro organisms produce

a variety of products and they are applied in enhanced oil recovery
Product Micro organism Application in oil

recovery
Biomass Bacillus licheniformis Selective biomass
Leuconostoc plugging
mesenteroides
Xanthomonas Viscosity reduction
campestris Oil degradation, wet
ability alteration
Bio surfactants Arthrobacter Emulsification,

(emulsan, paraffineus decrease of interfacial
sophorolipids, Bacillus licheniformis tension, viscosity
peptidolipid, Clostridium reduction
rhamnolipid) pasteurianum
Corynebacterium
29
fascines
Pseudomonas
rubescens
Biopolymers Bacillus polymyxa Injectivity profile
(alginate, xanthan, Brevibacterium modification, mobility
dextran, pullulan) viscogenes control
Leuconostoc
mesenteroides
Xanthomonas
campestris
Solvents (n- Clostridium Oil dissolution,
butanol, acetone, acetobutylicum viscosity reduction
ethanol)
Clostridium
pasteurianum
Zymomonas mobilis
Acids (acetate, Clostridium spp. Permeability increase,

butyrate) Enterobacter emulsification
aerogenes
Gases (CO2, CH4, Clostridium Increased pressure, oil
H2) acetobutylicum swelling, decrease of
interfacial tension,
SOURCE: Jonathan et.al, 2003.
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CHAPTER SEVEN
THE TITAN PROCESS OF MEOR
The Titan Process is a Totally Different Form of Microbial Enhanced Oil

Recovery (MEOR) method.
Other MEOR technologies past and present are very different from the
Titan Process. These technologies almost all either inject microbes into
existing oil fields or inject a glucose food source (eg. molasses) to feed
resident microbes. The goal is to have the microbes excrete a by-product
referred to as a biometabolite. These microbial produced by-products are
gas, polymers, acids and surfactants.
Inherent in the disadvantages of some of the other known MEOR

technologies is that in order to produce 100 pounds of bio-products in a
reservoir, one would have to inject 100-200 pounds of food. There will
31
be a constant need to feed the microbes many times, usually on a weekly

basis.
The Titan Process, by contrast, changes the microbes’ “activity,” and the
feeding process is much less frequent, usually once every three to six
months.
The Titan Process is radically different and only uses resident microbes
and injects a non-glucose nutrient formula which induces the microbes to
become “active” in the reservoir by changing the characteristics of their
skin. The microbes then seek and surround oil droplets in the sandstones
and carbonate strata. This activity dislodges and breaks up oil droplets,
which significantly increases oil recovery.
AVOIDING COMPLEXITIES
Other MEOR processes injecting non-indigenous microbes into a

reservoir will have disadvantages. All species from the plant and animal
kingdoms have very specific habitats and living patterns and naturally
over thousands and millions of years have adapted to their environment.
For example, to adapt penguins to swim in warm tropical waters would
require complex and unnatural biological, chemical or physical
adaptations to be implemented. Microbes are no different.
All oil reservoirs have varying characteristics that make non-indigenous

microbes either die or not function efficiently if introduced. Some of
these characteristics are temperature, salinity (salt concentrations),
pressure and pH level. The Titan Process only uses indigenous microbes,
avoiding all complexities of adaptation. Therefore a majority of oil
reservoirs are eligible for the Titan Process. The important prerequisite is
32
that there are microbes in the reservoir and this scientifically always has
been the case.
Titan avoids the engineering of newly injected microbes that require

extensive biotechnical hurdles to be overcome, all of which must take
place for success. For example: 1) making sure the microbes can survive;
2) making sure they can reproduce sufficiently; and 3) making sure they
can excrete the desired biometabolites efficiently in the new
environment.
NO OXYGEN REQUIRED
The Titan Process works on either aerobic or anaerobic microbes (those

not requiring oxygen to survive). The Titan Process induces the microbes
to become oleophilic (to seek and attach themselves to oil droplets) and
induces the microbes to perform an activity and “do” something within
the oil reservoir as opposed to “excreting” something (bio-gas, bio-
surfactant or bio-polymers). This oleophilic (oil-loving) activity is an
entirely new direction in the field of MEOR. This process is simple,
efficient, inexpensive and 100% environmentally friendly.
Because the Titan Process does not inject new microbes into oil fields
and only uses resident microbes, problems and complex solutions dealing
with reservoir pressure, saline content and temperature are not
encountered, since the microbes have already adapted to their
environment. Also the Titan Process does not require an extensive
feeding and excretion cycle. It relies on the microbes' skin characteristic
changes to induce superior oil recovery activity.
The Titan Process boosts and enhances water flood performance

33
1. Original Oil Field: Primary 2. Oil Field After Several

production is caused by Years: The pressure of the
internal reservoir pressures reservoir abates and recovery
that have built up over now has to be aided by forcing
millions of years. This water under very high pressure
pressure forces a flow of into the reservoir that will push
liquids towards the well bore oil towards the production well.
This is called a “water flood”
which acts like a release
and is the most common
valve. Years of oil production
secondary oil recovery method.
takes place and The water, pushing through the
approximately 20% of the porous carbonate or sandstone,
original oil in place is recovers another 10-15% of the
recovered. original oil in place.
34
3. Before Drilling: 4. After Primary Production:

Microscopic view of oil and A great deal of oil still
sand compacted under remains in the reservoir but is
pressure in the oil reservoir. increasingly difficult to
recover.
35
CHAPTER EIGHT
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF

MEOR
ADVANTAGES OF MEOR
MEOR has two distinct advantages: microbes do not consume large

amounts of energy and the use of microbes is not dependent on the price
of crude oil, as compared with other EOR processes. Another means of
using microbes in the oil industry involves the use of bacteria to prevent
sulfide production. Sulfides can plug wells thus reducing oil production;
they can also generate hydrogen sulfide, a deadly gas. Microbial enzymes
have also been used in upgrading oil.
Advantages of MEOR
• The injected bacteria and nutrient are inexpensive and easy to

obtain and handle in the field.
• Economically attractive for marginally producing oil fields; a

suitable alternative before the abandonment of marginal wells.
• According to a statistical evaluation (1995 in U.S.), 81% of all

MEOR projects demonstrated a positive incremental increase in oil
production and no decrease in oil production as a result of MEOR
processes.
• The implementation of the process needs only minor modifications

of the existing field facilities.
• The costs of the injected fluids are not dependent on oil prices
36
• MEOR processes are particularly suited for carbonate oil

reservoirs where some EOR technologies cannot be applied with
good efficiency
• The effects of bacterial activity within the reservoir are magnified

by their growth whole, while in EOR technologies the effects of
the additives tend to decrease with time and distance.
• MEOR products are all biodegradable and will not be accumulated

in the environment, so environmentally friendly.
b. Disadvantages of MEOR
• Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE).
• A better understanding of the mechanisms of MEOR.
• The abilibity of bacteria to plug reservoirs.
• Numerical simulations should be developed to guide the

application of MEOR in fields.
• Lack of talents.
37
CHAPTER NINE
CHALLENGES
Nigeria as an oil producing nation has paid no attention to this mode of

oil recovery. The reason is that the players in the field believe that efforts
on the conventional excavation methods have not been fully exploited to
give room for any other processing method for now.
ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS
There are some environmental factors that affect the performance of

MEOR operations. These are temperature, permeability, pH, salinity of
the medium, and oxygen content (Donaldson and Clark, 1982). As all oil
reservoirs are essentially devoid of oxygen, anaerobic bacteria are
generally preferred in field applications.
GROUNDS OF FAILURE
• Lack of holistic approach allowing for a critical evaluation of

economics, applicability and performance of MEOR is missing.
• No published study includes reservoir characteristics;

biochemical and physiological characteristics of microbiota;
controlling mechanisms and process economics.
• The ecophysiology of microbial communities thriving in oil

reservoirs is largely unexplored. Consequently, there is a poor
38
critical evaluation of the physical and biochemical mechanisms

controlling microbial response to the hydrocarbon substrates and
their mobility.
• Absence of quantitative understanding of microbial activity and

poor understanding of the synergistic interactions between living
and none living elements. Experiments based on pure cultures or
enrichments are questionable because microbial communities
interact synergistically with minerals, extracellular polymeric
substances and other physicochemical and biological factors in the
environment.
• Lack of cooperation between microbiologists, reservoir engineers,

geologists, economists and owner operators, incomplete pertinent
reservoir data, in published sources: lithology, depth, net thickness,
porosity, permeability, temperature, pressure, reserves, reservoir
fluid properties (oil gravity, water salinity, oil viscosity, bubble
point pressure, and oil-formation-volume factor), specific EOR
data (number of production and injection wells, incremental
recovery potential as mentioned by the operator, injection rate,
calculated daily and total enhanced production), calculated
incremental recovery potential over the reported time.
• Limited understanding of MEOR process economics and improper

assessment of technical, logistical, cost, and oil recovery potential.
• Unknowns life cycle assessments. Unknown environmental impact
• Lack of demonstrable quantitative relationships between microbial
performance, reservoir characteristics and operating conditions
• Inconsistency in in situ performance; low ultimate oil recovery
factor; uncertainty about meeting engineering design criteria by
39
microbial process; and a general apprehension about process

involving live bacteria.
• Lack of rigorous controlled experiments, which are far from
mimicking oil reservoir conditions that may have an effect over
gene expression and protein formation.
• Kinetic characterization of bacteria of interest is unknown. Monod
equation has been broadly misused.
• Lack of structured mathematical models to better describe MEOR.
• Lack of understanding of microbial oil recovery mechanism and
deficient mathematical models to predict microbial behaviour in
different reservoirs.
• Surfactants: biodegradable, effectiveness affected by temperature,
pH and salt concentration; adsorption on to rock surfaces.
• Unfeasible economic solutions such as the utilization of enzymes
and cultured microorganism.
• Difficult isolation or engineering of good candidate strains able to
survive the extreme environment of oil reservoirs (up to 85 °C, up
to 17.23 MPa).
Clostridium acetobutylicum causes a reduction in oil viscosity due to its

vigorous CO2 production. This gas also causes extensive pressurization.
Clostridium acetobutylicum is also effective in recovering oil from
depleted reservoirs. The oil recovery increase due to microbial activity is
more than twofold compared to other methods of enhanced oil recovery
Other challenges are :
40
1. Manipulation of the environmental conditions to promote growth
and product formation by participating micro organisms.
2. Reservoir heterogeneity; a situation where there is variation in
reservoir conditions. That is; when conditions vary from one

reservoir to another (Jonathan et. al 2003).
41
CHAPTER TEN
CONCLUSION
Microbial consortia activity within an oil and gas reservoir is a

potentially powerful biological system that can profoundly affect the
entire reservoir. Certain species of microorganisms can be manipulated
and controlled to release trapped oil in significant and economic
quantities. Some microbial methods aid inn paraffin removal while others
are designed to modify heavy oil. Still other micro-organisms produce
chemicals, such as surfactants, polymers, or solvents that are useful in oil
recovery processes, either in above ground facilities or in situ. Most of
the methods are designed to treat single wells and not the entire fields.
Several factors make microorganisms attractive for improved oil
recovery. They are self-replicating and relatively inexpensive to produce.
The nutrients required to sustain their growth are economically priced.
Microorganisms produce many of the chemicals, such as gases,
surfactants, acids, solvents and polymers involved in improving oil
recovery. The general criteria for microbes to exist in the reservoir
environment are:
1. Salinity should be less than 15% NaCl.
2. Temperature less than 1800F.
3. Depth less than 8000 ft.
4. Trace elements (As, Se, Ni, Hg) less than 10-15 ppm
5. Permeability greater than 50 md.
6. Oil gravity greater than 150 API.
7. Residual oil saturation greater than 25%.
42
Primary recovery usually only accesses 30 to 35 per cent of the original

oil in place (OOIP).
Secondary and tertiary recovery methods may net a further 15 to 25 per

cent OOIP, leaving 30 to 55 per cent OOIP left behind as irrecoverable or
irreducible oil in the reservoir.
MEOR technology targets this remaining oil and aims to enable

production of 80 to 85 per cent of OOIP.
While it is clear that biocatalysis performed by microbes may promote

beneficial chemical reactions such as the production of biosurfactants in a
very specific and energy-efficient manner, a sound understanding of the
underlying principles is important to predict site-specific effects of
microbial activity on fluid flow in porous media and hence on the
efficiency of oil production. Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR)
has several unique advantages that make it an economically attractive
method to enhance oil recovery. MEOR processes do not consume large
amounts of energy as do thermal processes and MEOR processes do not
depend on the price of crude oil as do many chemical recovery processes.
Because microbial growth occurs at exponential rates, it should be
possible to produce large amounts of useful products quickly from
inexpensive and renewable resource. Continued industrialization and
economic growth will increase the demand for oil. The demand for crude
oil often exceeds existing production in many countries. Conventional oil
production technologies are able to recover only about one-third of the
oil in the reservoir. Microbially enhanced oil recovery may offer an
economic alternate oil recovery method.
43
The principle behind this kind of technology (Microbial Enhanced Oil

Recovery Technology) is the use of non pathogenic bacteria to
prevent the outbreak of infection. But the question remains: what
then is the function of a solid filter in the production well during
production? The solid filter are suppose to trap the bacteria in the
oil when flowing through the production well; thus, if pathogenic
or non pathogenic bacteria are used or not ;there will be no
outbreak of infection (Mclnerney and Sublette 1997).
MEOR has two distinct advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
(1) Microbes do not consume large amounts of energy.
(2) The use of microbes is not dependent on the price of crude oil, as
compared to many of the other EOR processes (Cano Petroleum).
Disadvantages
(1) The microbial enhanced oil recovery process may modify the
immediate reservoir environment by damaging the production
hardware or the formation itself. Certain sulphate reducers can
produce hydrogen sulphide, which can corrode pipeline and other
components of the recovery equipment.
(2) Microbial enhanced oil recovery systems currently represent high-
risk processes to oil producers looking for efficient and predictable

oil recovery (Jonathan et. al, 2003).
Finally, microbial enhanced oil recovery technology may be attractive

to independent oil producers, who mostly operate “stripper wells”
(producing an average of 0.2 to 0.4 ton of oil per day). A single well
44
stimulation treatment might increase the rate of production from 0.2 to

0.4 of oil per day and sustain the increased rate for 2 to 6 months
without additional treatments (Jonathan et. al, 2003).
Another attraction in the microbial treatment is clearing up of oil spillage

in the riverine areas and creeks. Recently, a sizeable proportion of the
spillage in the oil slicks that once spread across thousands of miles of the
Gulf of Mexico disappeared completely. This was reported by Yahoo
News Exclusive on Wednesday, the 28th of July, 2010. Perhaps the most
important cause of the oil’s disappearance, some researchers suspect, is
that the oil has been devoured by microbes. The lesson from past spills is
that the lion’s share of the cleanup work is done by nature in the form of
oil-eating bacteria and fungi. The microbes break down the hydrocarbons
in oil to use as fuel to grow and reproduce. A bit of oil in the water is like
a feeding frenzy, causing microbial populations to grow exponentially.
This experience is informing.
Microbes can therefore be cultured to clear spillage even in difficult

terrains.
45
CHAPTER ELEVEN
REFERENCES
.
Beckman J. W (1926), The Action of Bacteria on Mineral Oil, pp.
3.
Industrial Engineering Chemical News, November
10,1926.
Cano Petroleum , http://www.canopetroleum.inc.org/html
Department of Energy, Grant and the Venezuelan Ministry of

Energy and Mines, Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery April
1997. (DOE/BC- 97/3/SP OSTI ID:14278), USA.
Distribution of the Effect of Nutrient Injection into the deposit

in Kuznetsov, USSR, 1958, 6:10-16. New York, USA.
Fourth International Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR)

Workshop in Poland, 1961: An Overview of Microbial
Enhanced Oil Recovery. Department of Applied Science,
Brookhaven Lab, New York 11973, USA.
Jonathan D., Van Hamme, Ajay S. (2003), Microbial Enhanced

Oil Recovery,Microbial Molecular Biology Review. Pp. 535-
549. American Society for Microbiology, Canada.
Lazar I. (1987), Research on the Microbiology of Microbial

Enhanced Oil Recovery(MEOR) in Romania, Jeannette King
and Debra Stevens (publishers), pp124-153; Bartles Ville
Project office. Department of Energy, Grant, USA.
Mclnerney J. and Sublette B.1997, Petroleum Microbiology:

Biofouling, Scouring and Improved Oil Recovery, pp. 600-
607. ASM Press, Washington D.C, USA.
Mississippi State University, “Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery”

http://www.msstate.edu/depr/wrri/meor
Petroleum Technology Transfer Council , “Microbial Enhanced

Oil Recovery” http://www.pttc.org/index.html
46
The World Bank Group, (1998), Pollution Prevention and

Abatement Handbook,pp.446, 447-455. Washington D.C.,
USA.
ZoBell C.E, (1947), Bacteria Release of Oil from Oil-bearing

Materials, Parts 1 and 11. Pp. 36-47(part 1), 35-41(part
11). World Oil 126, USA.
Ballangue, J., E. Masion, J. Amine, H. Petitdemange, and R.
Gay. 1987. Inhibitor effect of products of metabolism on
growth of Clostridium acetobutylicum. Applied Microbiology
and Biotechnology 26:568.
Bryant, R. S. 1990. Screening Criteria for Microbial Eor

Processes, Topical Report, Bartlesville Project Of. ce,
Department of Energy, Bartlesville, OK.
Bryant, R. S., and T. E. Burch. eld. 1989. Review of microbial

technology for improving oil recovery. SPE Reservoir Eng. J.
4(2):151.
Bryant, S. L., and T. P. Lockhart. 2001. Reservoir engineering

analysis microbial enhanced oil
recovery. Journal of Petroleum Technology 53(1):57.
Bushnell, L. D., and H. F. Haas. 1941. The utilization of certain

hydrocarbons by microorganisms. Journal of Bacteriology
41:529.
Donaldson, E. C., and J. B. Clark. 1982. Conference focuses on

microbial enhancement of oil recovery. Oil and Gas Journal
82:47.
Hitzman, D. O. 1983. Petroleum microbiology and its role in

enhanced oil recovery, Proc. of the 1982 International
Symposium on MEOR, NTIS, Spring. eld, VA, 162.
47
Hitzman, D. O., and G. T. Sperl. 1994. A new microbial

technology for enhanced oil recovery and sul. de prevention
and reduction, Proc. SPE/DOE Ninth Symposium on Improved
Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK, Pap. SPE/DOE 27752, 171.
Jack, T. R. 1983. Enhanced oil recovery by microbial action. In

T. F. Yen, F. K. Kawahara,R. Hertzberg (eds.), Chemical and
Geochemical Aspects of Fossil Energy Extraction, Ann Arbor,
MI: Ann Arbor Science.
Jenneman, G. E., P. D. Mof. tt, and G. R. Young, 1994.

Application of a microbial selective plugging process at the
North Burbank unit: Prepilot tests and results, Proc. SPE/DOE
Ninth Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK, Pap.
SPE/DOE 27827, 493.
Lepage, C., F. Fayolle, M. Hermann, and J. P. Vandecasteele.

1987. Changes in membrane lipid composition of Clostridium
acetobutylicum during acetone-butanol fermentation: Effects
of solvents, growth temperature and pH. Journal of General
Microbiology 133:103.
Pelger, J. W. 1992. Wellbore stimulation using microorganisms

to control and remediate existing paraffin accumulations, Proc.
SPE Intl. Symposium on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette,
LA, Pap. SPE 23813, 419.
Production Operations (Editorial). 1997. Biotechnology:

Alternative permeability-modi. cation methods.Journal of
Petroleum Technology 49(3):280.
Ronchel, M. C., C. Ramos, L. B. Jensen, S. Molin, and J. L.

Ramos, 1995. Construction and behavior of biologically
contained bacteria for environmental applications in
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bioremediation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology

61(8):2990.
Yakimov, M. M., M. M. Amro, M. Bock, K. Boseker, H. L.

Fredrickson, D. G. Kessel, and K. N. Timmis. 1997. The
potential of Bacillus licheniformis strains for in-situ enhanced
oil recovery. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering
18:147.
PROFILE
Attended Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria where I

obtained an honours degree in Microbiology, BSc.(2007).
Was employed briefly between 2007 and 2008 as a
teacher in School of Mid-wifery, Maiduguri, Borno State of
Nigeria, during my national youth corps service year,
where I taught Microbiology to midwifery students.
Worked in 2008 with the World Health Organisation as an
49
Independent monitor. Worked with Innercity Resource

Centre, Maiduguri, between 2008 to 2010, as a Chapter
Representative, where I offered varying degrees of public
health services. Currently doing a Master Degree Course
in University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Desires
sponsorship for research works that will remarkably touch
on oil productivity and oil related paradigm. Contact:
chi_chi34@yahoo.com.
50

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MICROBIAL

ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY

Detailed Documentation &

Primary recovery usually only accesses 30 to 35 per cent of the original

Secondary and tertiary recovery methods may net a further 15 to 25 per

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) technology targets the

There are different modes of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods.

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) method relies on microbes to

very specific and energy-efficient manner, a sound understanding of the

Stimulating bacterial growth at an oil/water interface causes a substantial

MEOR has two distinct advantages: microbes do not consume large

The Titan Process of MEOR is a dynamic, new and unique form of

ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (EOR) PROCESS

Discoveries of new reservoirs, is a high-risk business that companies

Secondary recovery methods are used when there is insufficient

Tertiary recovery method is implemented when water flooding for

MODES OF ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY

Several methods are employed in Enhanced Oil Recovery process. These

Chemical methods focus mainly on alkaline–surfactant–polymer (ASP)

Gas flooding technologies primarily use carbon dioxide flooding as a

experiment with a number of foams, gels, and thickening agents to

Heavy oil is recovered by introducing heat into the reservoir through

Reservoir simulation is advancing rapidly with improved computing

Microbial enhanced oil recovery refers to the use of microorganisms to

Stage 1: Primary Recovery – 12% to 15% of the oil in the well is

Stage 2: Secondary Recovery – The oil well is flooded with water or

Stage 3: Tertiary Recovery – This stage may be accomplished through

Oil Recovery Factor: This is also called overall hydrocarbon

Ev= macroscopic (volumetric) displacement efficiency; and

ED= microscopic (volumetric) hydrocarbon displacement efficiency.

DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF MEOR

Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is a biological based

MEOR is a multidisciplinary field incorporating, among others: geology,

• enhanced water floods increase microbial activity by injecting

The microbes in MEOR are typically hydrocarbon-utilizing, non-

This technology depends on the physicochemical properties of the

The concept of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) was proposed

his colleagues. Since that time, multiplicity of microbiological

The various stages of development of MEOR are outline below:

First Stage: Initial ( to 1975)

In 1895, Miyoshi first reported the growth of a mould culture on n-

Second Stage: Developmental (1975~1996)

Third Stage: Rapid (1996~)

From late 1990s, modern biological methods began to be applied on the

Current Status of MEOR

THE SCIENCE OF MEOR

The microorganisms used in MEOR can be applied to a single oil well or

Reduction of oil viscosity – Oil is a thick fluid that is quite viscous,

Production of carbon dioxide gas – As a by-product of metabolism,

Production of biomass – When microorganisms metabolize the nutrients

Selective plugging – Some microorganisms secrete slimy substances

Production of biosurfactants – Microorganisms produce slippery

Case Study: An Exopolysaccharide Called Xanthan

The Xanthomans campestris bacteria produces a gummy substance called

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MEOR

MEOR is a direct application of biotechnology. It uses biological

Current Research Areas

The environmental conditions in an oil well make it very difficult for

chemically active, and produce substantial amounts of biosurfactants.

Sustainable Development and MEOR

As MEOR reduces or eliminates the need to use harsh chemicals during

Published MEOR models are composed of transport properties, local