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Enhanced Oil Recovery using a Combination of Biosurfactants
Published on: June 3, 2022
Selective plugging strategy-based microbial-enhanced oil recovery using Bacillus licheniformis TT33.
Harish Suthar1, Krushi Hingurao, Anjana Desai
1Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara-390 002, Gujarat, India.
Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
|November 4, 2009
Summary
Bacillus licheniformis TT33 enhances oil recovery by producing exopolymeric substances (EPS) and biosurfactants to plug high-permeability zones in reservoirs. This microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) strategy effectively increases oil extraction from low-permeability areas.
Area of Science:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) utilizes microorganisms to improve oil extraction.
- Selective plugging is a key MEOR strategy, using microbial products to block high-permeability zones.
- Bacillus licheniformis TT33, a thermotolerant and halotolerant bacterium, is investigated for its MEOR potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Bacillus licheniformis TT33 in enhancing oil recovery.
- To characterize the exopolymeric substances (EPS) and biosurfactant produced by B. licheniformis TT33.
- To confirm the role of B. licheniformis TT33 in oil recovery through laboratory experiments.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of Bacillus licheniformis TT33 from a hot water spring.
- Analysis of EPS composition (carbohydrate and protein content) and biosurfactant activity (surface tension reduction).
- Sand pack column experiments to assess oil recovery efficiency, followed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and molecular analysis (amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis).
Main Results:
- Bacillus licheniformis TT33 demonstrated significant oil recovery of 27.7+/-3.5% in a sand pack column.
- The bacterium produces exopolymeric substances (EPS) with 26% carbohydrate and 3% protein, and a biosurfactant reducing water surface tension from 72 to 34 mN/m.
- ESEM confirmed bacterial growth and biofilm formation within the sand pack, while molecular analysis verified the strain's identity.
Conclusions:
- Bacillus licheniformis TT33 is a promising candidate for microbial enhanced oil recovery due to its ability to produce EPS and biosurfactants.
- The observed increase in oil recovery is directly attributable to the growth and biofilm-forming capabilities of Bacillus licheniformis TT33.
- This study validates the selective plugging strategy using B. licheniformis TT33 for improved oil extraction efficiency.
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