The presence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in territorial water is of great concern due to the carcinogenicity. In this study, monthly collection of surface water from four artisanal petroleum marketing points was made from November 2019 -October 2020 using standard methods. Hydrocarbon utilizing (Hydrocarbonoclastic) bacteria were isolated by vapour phase transfer method using mineral salts medium, isolates were identified based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The mean HUB count was 1.2 x 10 4 cfuml -1 . The HUB isolates were