Method of treating a hydrocarbon bearing formation
US7124817B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/905
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing measure such as an oil-bearing rock formation (13). The method comprises: injecting water containing a source of vitamins, phosphates and an electron acceptor such as nitrate into the formation at first location (10) and allowing anaerobic bacteria, which are either already present in the formation (13) or which are introduced simultaneously to multiply using the oil as their main carbon source. This establishes a biomass layer (16) which acts to dissociate the oil from the rock formation (13). The dissociated oil is removed via an outlet (15). The vitamins are supplied by means of a controlled-release medium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.