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System and method for preparing near-surface heavy oil for extraction using microbial degradation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1016803
A system and method for enhancing the recovery of heavy oil in an oil extraction environment by feeding nutrients to a preferred microbial species (bacteria and/or fungi). A method is described that includes the steps of: sampling and identifying microbial species that reside in the oil extraction environment; collecting fluid property data from the oil extraction environment; collecting nutrient data from the oil extraction environment; identifying a preferred microbial species from the oil extraction environment that can transform the heavy oil into a lighter oil; identifying a nutrient from the oil extraction environment that promotes a proliferation of the preferred microbial species; and introducing the nutrient into the oil extraction environment.
Research Organization:
International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)
Patent Number(s):
7,922,893
Application Number:
US Patent Application 11/350,206
OSTI ID:
1016803
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (1)

Evaluation of Inoculum Addition To Stimulate In Situ Bioremediation of Oily-Sludge-Contaminated Soil journal April 2001

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