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Title: Microbial enhanced oil recovery research. [Peptides]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6878180· OSTI ID:6878180
;  [1]
  1. Texas Univ., Austin, TX (United States)

The objective of this work is to develop an engineering framework for the exploitation of microorganisms to enhance oil recovery. Specific goals include: (1) the production, isolation, chemical characterization and study of the physical properties of microbially produced surfactants; (2) development of simulators for MEOR; (3) model studies in sandstone cores for the characterization of the interactions between growing microbially cultures and oil reservoirs,; (4) design of operation strategies for the sequential injection of microorganisms and nutrient in reservoirs. Accomplishments are: (1) ultra low interfacial tensions (0.003 mN/M) were obtained between decane and 5% NaCl brine using biosurfactants obtained from Bacillus Licheniformis, JF-2 which is the lowest IFT ever reported for biosurfactants; (2) a method to was developed isolate the biosurfactant from the growth medium; (3) the structure of the isolated biosurfactant has been determined; (4) several techniques have been proposed to increase the yield of the surfactant; and (5) an MEOR simulator has been completed.

Research Organization:
Texas Univ., Austin, TX (United States). Dept. of Petroleum Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-89BC14445
OSTI ID:
6878180
Report Number(s):
DOE/BC/14445-T2; ON: DE93008389
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English