Microbial processes have several unique advantages that may result in the improvement of oil recovery, the decrease in paraffin wax and in the reduction of H2S and scale in the reservoir.
Table: Microbial Products Beneficial to Improved Oil Recovery
| Microbial Activities | Beneficial By-Products | Solves Oilfield Problems |
|---|---|---|
| Gases | CO2, H2, CH4 | Reservoir Re-pressurization, Oil Viscosity Reduction |
| Organic Acids | Acetic, Butyric, Lactic Acids | Increases Carbonate and Oilfield Rock Porosity |
| Solvents | Ethanol, Butanol, Acetone | Oil Viscosity Reduction, Improves Oil/Water Wettability |
| Bio-Polymers | Polysaccharides, Proteins | Improves Oil Mobility and Permeability |
| Bio-emulsifiers | Hetero-polysaccharides, Proteins | Paraffin Wax Control, Enhances Emulsification |
| Bio-surfactants | Glycolipids, Lipopeptides | Interfacial Tension Reduction, Improves Oil/Water Wettability Alteration |
| Biomass Formation | Microbial Cells | Plugs Channels for Improved Oil Recovery |
| Hydrocarbon Metabolism | Aerobic and Anaerobic Growth in Reservoir | Paraffin and Asphaltene Control, Viscosity Alteration, Accelerates Oil Thinning, Improves Hydrocarbon Profile |
Many of the above microbial technologies can slow the rate of decline in oil production and extend the operational life of marginal oil fields. With marginal oil fields the goal is to improve oil production rather than the ultimate recovery factor.
Sentinel’s AlkaLYNXTM Improves Oil Production By:
- Altering heavy oil chains to lighter molecular chains resulting in more producible oil
- Shifting the reservoir microbial population away from non-beneficial SRB’s to beneficial hydrocarbon reducing bacteria
Controlling and reducing H2S, scale buildup and sludge accumulation and plugging in the reservoir- Favorably altering reservoir sweep efficiency and oil mobility
- Controlling Paraffin Wax buildup resulting in cleaner near well bore, rods and flow lines
- Favorably altering flow characteristics such as viscosity and pour points yielding more oil