TY - JOUR
T1 - Microbial technology applications in wellbore stimulation and oil recovery enhancement
T2 - A review
AU - Al-Wahaibi, Y.
AU - Al-Bemani, A.
AU - Al-Bahry, S.
AU - Al-Sulaimani, H.
AU - Al-Mandhari, M.
AU - Ghosh, B.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - The different microbial technologies to enhance oil recovery have not yet been proven for two main reasons. Firstly, most microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) field trials lack structured research methodology. Secondly, it is difficult to interpret MEOR tests. In order to correlate qualitatively the effects on oil recovery with the nutrient injections, other variables should be kept constant for a long time which is hard. Correlating these quantitatively is far more difficult. Another challenge is to decide accurately on the mechanisms through which microbes are affecting the oil recovery. To achieve this, additional wells have to be drilled, brine and oil chemical analysis have to be performed and DNA analysis have to be conducted. So far, it is believed that field trials intended to increase volumetric efficiency have yielded mixed results, whereas those designed to reduce permeability through biomass production of microbes are simpler and have a higher chance of success.
AB - The different microbial technologies to enhance oil recovery have not yet been proven for two main reasons. Firstly, most microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) field trials lack structured research methodology. Secondly, it is difficult to interpret MEOR tests. In order to correlate qualitatively the effects on oil recovery with the nutrient injections, other variables should be kept constant for a long time which is hard. Correlating these quantitatively is far more difficult. Another challenge is to decide accurately on the mechanisms through which microbes are affecting the oil recovery. To achieve this, additional wells have to be drilled, brine and oil chemical analysis have to be performed and DNA analysis have to be conducted. So far, it is believed that field trials intended to increase volumetric efficiency have yielded mixed results, whereas those designed to reduce permeability through biomass production of microbes are simpler and have a higher chance of success.
KW - Bioproducts
KW - Microbial enhanced oil recovery
KW - Microbial water shutoff
KW - Microorganisms
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U2 - 10.1504/IJOGCT.2009.030677
DO - 10.1504/IJOGCT.2009.030677
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:73649125305
SN - 1753-3309
VL - 2
SP - 315
EP - 330
JO - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology
JF - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology
IS - 4
ER -