Characteristics of a <i>Geobacillus</i> sp. as an Enhanced Oil Recovery Material

Abstract

The enhanced oil recovery characteristics of a Geobacillus sp. was investigated by shake flask experiments, blind-tube oil displacement experiments and core flooding tests. The strain exhibited good properties such as resisting high temperature, taking different types of crude oil as the sole carbon source, reducing the viscosity of crude oil, emulsifying and dispersing crude oil or liquid wax. The oil in the dead area could be effectively driven out by the strain, and the oil recovery of original oil in place had been increased by 12.9-15.9% after 5 treatments in 50 days by adopting air-assistant technique (air/liquid 10:1, v/v) due to the synergistic effect of the bacteria and their metabolites such as biogas and biosurfactants. The strain seems to be a promising candidate for microbial enhanced oil recovery and underground sewage treatment technology.