Enhancement of the sweep efficiency of waterflooding operations by the in-situ microbial population of petroleum reservoirs
Live cores were obtained from five reservoirs using special precautions to prevent contamination by exogenous microorganisms and minimize exposure to oxygen. The depths from which the cores were obtained ranged from 2,705 ft to 6,568 ft. Core plugs were cut radially from live cores, encased in heat-shrink plastic tubes, placed in core holders, and fitted with inlets and outlets. Nutrient additions stimulated the in-situ microbial population to increase, dissolve stratal material, produce gases, and release oil. Reduction in flow through the core plugs was observed in some cases, while in other cases flow was increased, probably due to the dissolution of carbonates in the formation. A field demonstration of the ability of the in-situ microbial population to increase oil recovery by blocking the more permeable zones of the reservoir is currently underway. This demonstration is being conducted in the North Blowhorn Creek Unit situated in Lamar County, Alabama. Live cores were obtained from a newly drilled well in the field and tested as described above. The field project involves four test patterns each including one injector, four to five producers, and a comparable control injector with its four to five producers. Nutrient injection in the field began November 1994.
- Research Organization:
- BDM Oklahoma, Inc., Bartlesville, OK (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-90BC14665; FC22-94BC14962
- OSTI ID:
- 270479
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9509173-; ON: DE96001220; TRN: 96:002616-0007
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International conference on microbial enhanced oil recovery and related biotechnology for solving environment problems, Dallas, TX (United States), 11-14 Sep 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]; Related Information: Is Part Of The fifth international conference on microbial enhanced oil recovery and related biotechnology for solving environmental problems: 1995 Conference proceedings; Bryant, R. [ed.]; PB: 619 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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