Biosurfactant and enhanced oil recovery

US4522261A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents for the University of Oklahoma · US

Inventors

• Michael J. McInerney · Norman, US
• Gary E. Jenneman · Bartlesville, US
• Roy M. Knapp · Norman, US
• Donald E. Menzie · Norman, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 5, 1983
• Grant date: Jun 11, 1985
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2003

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S507/936
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A pure culture of Bacillus licheniformis strain JF-2 (ATCC No. 39307) and a process for using said culture and the surfactant lichenysin produced thereby for the enhancement of oil recovery from subterranean formations. Lichenysin is an effective surfactant over a wide range of temperatures, pH's, salt and calcium concentrations.