Situ microbial plugging process for subterranean formations

US4558739A · 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: Dec 17, 1985
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2003

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C09K8/905
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Subterranean paths of water flow are impeded or changed by the facilitation of microbial growth therein. Either indigenous bacterial growth may be stimulated with nutrients or the formation may be first seeded with bacteria or their spores which inhibit fluid flow after proliferation. These methods and bacteria are usable to alter the flow of water in a waterflooded oil formation and to impede the outflow of contaminated water.