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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

New microorganisms and processes for MEOR. Quarterly report ending, December 31, 1992

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10134286· OSTI ID:10134286

We have been successful in isolating and characterizing sulfate reducing bacteria and denitrifying Thiobacillus sp. from oil field waters which can use volatile fatty acids and dissolve carbonates found in these waters and formations. We have shown that these cultures can feed each other in sequential cultures and survive in mixed culture as long as sterile conditions are maintained. When nonsterile conditions are present both organism types are only successful to a limited degree, and, instead, an additional microflora develop belonging to the heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria. These microorganisms appear to be potentially useful in new MEOR processes through the production of pressure forming gases, viscosifying agents and the removal and prevention of de novo synthesis of hydrogen sulfide and are currently being pursued. They are capable of producing large amounts of gas, predominantly nitrogen and carbon dioxide and also form viscosifying agents under conditions which we believe we can easily maintain in an oil reservoir. In this report we show that they are also potent agents for the control of SRB growth, development and production of sulfide.

Research Organization:
Injectech, Inc., Ochelata, OK (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC22-90BC14663
OSTI ID:
10134286
Report Number(s):
DOE/BC/14663--10; ON: DE93010066
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English