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Objectives/Scope: In this study, we describe a metagenomic approach which is a Next Generation Sequencing Technique (NGS) for the identification of biosurfactant-producing microbes present in the formation water sample in the oil fields of Upper Assam. In this paper, we describe a method for the isolation and identification of biosurfactant-producing microbial strains present in the formation water sample of the Upper Assam Oil reservoir. A protocol was developed for the production of biosurfactants from strain (SB23) grown in formulated media. Core analysis and microbial flooding were performed to understand the behaviour of strain (SB23) and its interactions with the porous media of the sandstone reservoir rocks of Upper Assam Oil reservoirs.
Methods, Procedures, Process: Strain (SB23) was isolated from the formation water sample contaminated with crude oil. The formation water sample was collected from one of the wells of the Upper Assam oil field. Determination of the strain (SB23) has been done through 16S rRNA sequencing and an open-source web application server. The formation water sample was used for elemental analysis and based on that; the nutrient package was designed to produce rhamnolipid biosurfactant. The interfacial tension between crude oil and produced biosurfactant was measured using the spinning drop method. Microbial surfactant flooding in core samples was performed in a laboratory-based core flooding system.
Results, Observations, Conclusions: Pseudomonas aeruginosa OR051038 strain (SB23) was isolated in the laboratory and identified by biochemical test and 16S rRNA sequencing. Strain (SB23) which produced the rhamnolipid type of biosurfactant, was selected for surfactant flooding. The produced biosurfactant remained stable over a wide temperature range of 30-85 ℃, pH of 2-10, and salinity of 0-16%, w/v. At the value of 126 mg/L, the biosurfactant solution exhibited critical micelle concentrations (CMC). The core flooding studies were performed in sandstone cores (3.5 ×8.4 cm) with an average of 23.72% porosity and 41.18 mD of permeability. (1.7 PV) of nutrient solution with 4% (v/v) inoculum was injected into cores and incubated for 7 days at 50 ℃. 4000 mg/L of rhamnolipid was produced, which decreased IFT and ST to 0.98 and 24.8 mN/m respectively. Under reservoir conditions, the produced biosurfactant from strain (SB23) is used in microbial flooding to recover an additional 7.55% of heavy crude oil. This paper will discuss the ability of strain (SB23) and its applications in advanced Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods, particularly the Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery method (MEOR).
Novel/Additive Information: As a result, the isolated strain (SB23) has the potential to significantly improve oil recovery from depleted oil fields of Upper Assam. This paper will benefit the Reservoir engineers, Production engineers, Petroleum engineers, and Petroleum Microbiologists interested in enhanced oil recovery processes and Field Development plans using advanced EOR applications. Chemical EOR is costly and not environmentally friendly, MEOR can be an alternative to them. In addition, MEOR is an advanced technology to enhance oil recovery from oil wells with high water cuts and also it can delay the decommissioning costs related to abandoned oil and gas wells.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Water & Porous Media Focused Abstracts | This abstract is related to Water |
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