Microbes that can change the properties of crude oil are being developed to improve oil recovery capability of productive wells.
Overview
Microbially Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is the use of microbes in petroleum reservoirs to enhance the amount of oil that can be produced.
The microbes in MEOR are simply hydrocarbon-utilising, non-pathogenic micro-organisms which are endemic in petroleum reservoirs where they occur naturally using hydrocarbons as a food source to metabolise.
As a result of this digestive process, the microbes excrete natural and non-toxic bio-products such as alcohols, gases, acids, surfactants and polymers.
These can cause a series of very desirable changes in the physical-chemical properties of the crude.
There is also a marked improvement or a near-complete restoration of the lithological properties of the reservoir rock.
Improving production of Australia’s oilfields
Creating MEOR technology is one of the ways CSIRO is responding to a demand for fossil fuels that approaches or even outstrips supply growth.
Despite advances in renewable energy sources and the likely move to a hydrogen economy, oil will remain a key energy source for 20-30 years.
However, globally it’s recognised that it’s getting progressively harder to find more oil.
Most of the oil provinces and giant oilfields have most likely been discovered already.
Future oil exploration is focussing more and more on difficult targets:
The best way to influence oil production and hence Australia’s balance of payments is by improving productivity of known oilfields.
In 2003 Australia was 75 per cent self-sufficient in oil, but this is predicted to decline to 50 per cent by 2015.
This will contribute to an ever-widening trade deficit.
The key to solving this problem is not better exploration success (although that would help).
The best way to influence oil production and hence Australia’s balance of payments is by improving productivity of known oilfields.
Improved recovery
Primary recovery usually only accesses 30 to 35 per cent of the original oil in place (OOIP).
Secondary and tertiary recovery methods may net a further 15 to 25 per cent OOIP, leaving 30 to 55 per cent OOIP left behind as irrecoverable or irreducible oil in the reservoir.
MEOR technology targets this remaining oil and aims to enable production of 80 to 85 per cent of OOIP.
Applications in offshore oilfields
Around 75 per cent of estimated remaining oil and gas reserves lie offshore.
Over the past two decades, the industry has been forced to move into increasingly deep water to tap these reserves and meet global energy demand.
The MEOR project aims to generate new knowledge and understanding of the microbiology of oil and gas reservoirs in sub-ocean floor.
About the scientists
CSIRO’s multidisciplinary breadth means we are uniquely placed to conduct R&D for the energy sector, combining:
The microbes excrete natural and non-toxic bio-products … which can cause a series of very desirable changes in the physical-chemical properties of the crude.
CSIRO Petroleum is the lead Division for the MEOR project which is headed by Dr Herbert Volk and also involves:
-
Dr Keyu Liu
-
Mr Manzur Ahmed
-
Dr Se Gong
-
Dr Mohammad Bahar.
The disciplinary breadth necessary for the project is provided by:
-
CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies: Dr Phil Hendry and Dr Dongmei Li
-
CSIRO Entomology: Dr Tara Sutherland and Dr Rinku Pandey
-
CSIRO Land & Water: Dr Greg Davis, Dr Colin Johnston, Dr Mike Trefry and Dr Jason Plumb.
The MEOR project is part of the Wealth from Oceans Flagship.
Learn about CSIRO's work in Energy from Oil & Gas.
Site Map | Legal Notice and Disclaimer | Privacy | Copyright | Last updated: 11 December 2007
