Isolation, screening, and field applications of clostridial isolates to be used in microbial enhanced recovery (MEOR)

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 1988

OSTI ID:6857182

Russell, H H

This project concerns the isolation and screening of bacterial isolates of the genus Clostridium and their application in the field for Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR). Preliminary screens included growth in the presence of 860 mM sodium chloride as well as the production of metabolic end-products capable of causing a release of oil from a reservoir. Secondary screens deleted pathogenic clostrida and those that produced hydrogen sulfide. In addition, the effect of various cores on the fermentation pattern were also investigated. This involved growth of isolate SEG-3 in the presence of powdered sandstone and limestone cores. Once a number of isolates were obtained, field studies were initiated in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Viable spores and a suitable nutrient were injected into producing oil wells and the fermentations monitored. A number of isolates were obtained that were capable of producing desired end-products in the presence of 860 mM sodium chloride. Field studies indicate that spores can be injected into a reservoir at pressure up to 1200 psia and survive. Complete fermentations occur in the reservoir and a biogenic gas can, to an extent, repressurize a portion of the reservoir. No detrimental effects on the oil wells were detected and although indications are that oil production can be increased no conclusions could be made.

• Research Organization: Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6857182
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
BACTERIA
BIOCONVERSION
CARBONATE ROCKS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CLOSTRIDIUM
DRILL CORES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FEDERAL REGION VI
FEDERAL REGION VII
FERMENTATION
FIELD TESTS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GROWTH
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
KANSAS
LIMESTONE
MICROBIAL EOR
MICROORGANISMS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OIL WELLS
OKLAHOMA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PETROLEUM
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SCREENING
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SODIUM CHLORIDES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TESTING
TEXAS
USA
WELLS