Method of microbial enhanced oil recovery
US5163510A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 1991 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12R2001/01
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of microbial enhanced oil recovery for recovering oil from an oil-bearing rock formation. A population of aerobic bacteria is introduced into the formation at a position spaced from a production borehole. The micro-organisms are adapted to use oil as a carbon source. Pressurised injection water is introduced into the formation via an injection borehole, the water including a source of oxygen and mineral nutrients. The bacteria multiply using the oil as their main carbon source and the oxygen in the injection water as their main oxygen source. In so doing, they dissociate the oil from the rock formation and the dissociated oil is removed via the production borehole by the injection water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.