Abstract
Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is one of the recent techniques suggested to stimulate oil production. This technique is based on in situ growth and metabolism of selected microorganism in the reservoir rock with certain nutrients. The microorganisms produce gases and/or chemicals in the formation such as polymer, acids, gases and surfactants. Production of these chemicals in the formation changes fluid and rock properties of the reservoir and improves the sweep efficiency. This change respectively increases the oil production from the reservoir.
This paper presents the methods to find out about suitable bacteria, the assessment of their oil mobilizing abilities and the determination of the responsible mechanisms for oil mobilization. In addition, the effect of different reservoir parameters on the growth of microorganisms was investigated. Flooding experiments were carried out under reservoir conditions, in order to verify the ability of bacteria strains to mobilize residual oil in place and to detect the oil mobilizing mechanisms.
Important mechanisms leading to oil recovery by microorganisms are found. Moreover, the most important screening criteria for the application of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) in any field are included. Achievements of this project have been found also and strongly on the involvement of other disciplines. Among those branches are; microbiology, chemistry and of course petroleum engineers. This interdisciplinary challenge has been set up for better result improvements.
