Dr. Ir. Dedy Kristanto, M.

Sc

MICROBIAL EOR (MEOR)

What is MEOR ?
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is the use
of microorganisms to retrieve additional oil from
existing wells, thereby enhancing the petroleum
production of an oil reservoir.
In this technique, selected natural microorganisms
are introduced into oil wells to produce harmless byproducts, such as slippery natural substances or
gases, all of which help propel oil out of the well.
Because these processes help to mobilize the oil
and facilitate oil flow, they allow a greater amount to
be recovered from the well.

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The Science of MEOR

The microorganisms used in MEOR can be applied
to a single oil well or to an entire oil reservoir.
They need certain conditions to survive, so nutrients
and oxygen are often introduced into the well at the
same time.
MEOR also requires that water be present.

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The Science of MEOR

Microorganisms grow between the oil and the well's
rock surface to enhance oil recovery by the following
methods:
Reduction of oil viscosity Oil is a thick fluid that is
quite viscous, meaning that it does not flow easily.
Microorganisms help break down the molecular
structure of crude oil, making it more fluid and easier
to recover from the well.
Production of carbon dioxide gas As a by-product
of metabolism, microorganisms produce carbon
dioxide gas. Over time, this gas accumulates and
displaces the oil in the well, driving it up and out of
the reservoir.
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The Science of MEOR

Production of biomass When microorganisms
metabolize the nutrients they need for survival, they
produce organic biomass as a by-product. This
biomass accumulates between the oil and the rock
surface of the well, physically displacing the oil and
making it easier to recover from the well.
Selective plugging Some microorganisms secrete
slimy substances called exopolysaccharides to
protect themselves from drying out or falling prey to
other organisms. This substance helps bacteria plug
the pores found in the rocks of the well so that oil
may move past rock surfaces more easily. Blocking
rock pores to facilitate the movement of oil is known
as selective plugging.
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The Science of MEOR

Production of biosurfactants Microorganisms
produce slippery substances called surfactants as
they breakdown oil. Because they are naturally
produced by biological microorganisms, they are
referred to as biosurfactants. Biosurfactants act like
slippery detergents, helping the oil move more freely
away from rocks and crevices so that it may travel
more easily out of the well.

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Microbial Product and Their

Application in EOR

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Main Mechanisms of Microorganism in

Improve Oil Recovery
In-situ generation of gases such as methane,
carbon dioxide, hydrogen or nitrogen from the
metabolic processes.
Break down of heavy hydrocarbon by the enzymes
produced in-situ by some microorganisms (mostly
aerobic types).
In-situ generation of chemicals such as
biosurfactants, biopolymers, organic acids and
alcohols.
Reduction of residual oil saturation due to the insitu generation of gases and chemicals as well as
the upgrading of reservoir oil.
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Main Mechanisms of Microorganism in

Improve Oil Recovery
Plug off high permeability layers (thief zones) in
injection wells or to redirect the injection fluid into
lower permeability regions by plugging off the
flooded-out high permeability channels.
Note : This is accomplished by injecting an inactive
(spore form) slug of the microbial culture followed
by enough nutrient to activate it in-situ and hence
increase its size and population.

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Type of Microbial Processes for

Improve Oil Recovery

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Field Applications of MEOR

Most field applications of MEOR are conducted on a
cyclic basis.
A slug of the microbial culture and its nutrient
(such as molasses with some nitrates and
phosphates) are injected into a well.
The well is then shut-in for 3-6 months (called
incubation period) to allow for enough production
of bioproducts prior to placing the well back on
production.

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Schematic of MEOR Processes

More
Bacteria

Bacteria
+

Regenerate

Nutrient

Appropriate Conditions

Metabolitic
Reactions
and
Interaction
with fluids

Temperature 30 - 40 C
0

Pressure < 30000 kPa

Crude Upgrading

Salinity < 4% by weight

Plugging of thief
zones

Products
useful for EOR
Gases (CH4, N2,
H2, CO2)
Chemicals
(Surfactants,
Polymers, Acids,
Alcohols)

1 psi = 6.9 kPa

1 atm = 101.3 kPa

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Typical of MEOR Cycle

Injection into the well 0.05 - 0.1 m3 of microbial
culture (with a cell count 106 - 108 cell/ml).
Injection into the well 50 - 100 m3 of nutrient.
Nutrient concentration of 2 - 4 % and 0.03 - 0.1 %
(by weight) nitrate and phosphate additives.
Incubation period (shut-in) for about 3 - 6 months.
Production period.

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Microbial Solutions

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MEOR Injection Processes

(Injection, Soaking and Shut-in)
Separation and
Storage Facilities

Water
Injection
Well

Production Well

Microbe + Nutrient with oil & water

Oil Zone

Microbe

Drive Water

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Factor Affecting MEOR

How active and how long these microbes survive.
The conditions which affect the microbes behavior
in the reservoir include temperature, pressure and
salinity.
Optimum reservoir conditions for MEOR are:
Temperature

30 - 40 0C

Pressure

less than 30000 kPa

Salinity

less than 4 %
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Typical Stimulation of Oil Production

The stimulation of oil production by in situ bacterial
fermentation is thought to proceed by one or a
combination of the following mechanisms:
Improvement of the relative mobility of oil to water
by biosurfactants and biopolymers;
Partial repressurization of the reservoir by methane
and CO2 gases;
Reduction of oil viscosity through the dissolution
of organic solvents in the oil phase;

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Typical Stimulation of Oil Production

Increase of reservoir permeability and widening of the
fissures and channels through the etching of
carbonaceous rocks in limestone reservoirs by organic
acids produced by anaerobic bacteria;
Cleaning of the wellbore region through the acids and gas
from in situ fermentation. The gas serves to push oil from
dead space and dislodge debris that plugs the pores. The
average pore size is increased and, as a result, the
capillary pressure near the wellbore is made more
favorable for the flow of oil;
Selective plugging of highly permeable zones by injecting
slime-forming bacteria followed by sucrose solution which
"turns on" the production of extra cellular slimes. Areal
sweep efficiency is improved.

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Wellbore Cleaning
1. Acids
The acids react with various minerals, especially
carbonates, and loosen clay particles and other inorganic
deposits.
2. Solvents
Solvents dissolve or swell the precipitated organic
deposits, improving the mobility of the oil phase.
3. Biogas
After a shut-in period of about 1 to 4 weeks for anaerobic
growth, the pressure around the well bore was raised to
200-300 psi. When the well was opened and allowed to blow
out, a considerable amount of sludge and drilling mud were
removed. The well was then placed back in production.

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Field Example Application of MEOR

Field tests in US, Russia, Poland, Checoslovakia, Hungry,
Rumania and Indonesia.
Depth range 200 - 1500 m.
Temperature < 70 0C.
Permeability 50 - 800 mD
Reported Response:
All mechanisms confirmed
Results are encouraging but inconclusive
Oil production increase, but could be due to effects of well
shut-in
Need for additional research is evident

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Example Application of MEOR

Effectiveness of various surfactant solutions in releasing light
crude oil from sand (Abu-Ruwaida et al., 1991; Banat et al.,
1991;Banat, 1993)

ST = surface tension; RO = residual oil; RRO = recovered residual oil.

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