Abstract
Microbial processes sour oil, corrode equipment, and degrade
hydrocarbons at an annual global cost to the oil and gas industry of
nearly $2 billion. However, top-down control of these microbial
processes can reduce their damage and enhance oil recovery. Here, we
screened microbial communities from five oil wells in the Illinois basin
and evaluated nutrient injection strategies to control metabolism and
community composition. Molasses and molybdate supplementation stimulated
significant gas and organic acid production while completely suppressing
corrosive H2S formation in samples from two wells. These
changes were accompanied with significant shaping of the microbiome
community. Simulations of field operations via a lab-scale
mini-coreflood validated that oil well microbiomes can be engineered to
also shape oil hydrocarbon composition in situ . These pilot
studies validate the potential of economical and sustainable top-down
microbiome engineering to control microbes in oil extraction and enhance
the economic viability of oil recovery.
Topical Heading: Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering,
Biochemicals, Biofuels, and Food
Keywords: Microbial enhanced oil recovery, top-down
microbiome engineering, miniature coreflood, cultivation screening,
comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography