Potentials of Enzyme Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Review

Abstract

In this paper, the progresses of understanding of the enzymes application in hydrocarbon production from extensive experimental and field studies are reviewed. Enzyme enhanced oil recovery is an emerging method of improving oil production in an environmentally friendly way, but the mechanisms underlying this process are not clearly understood. Also, detailed studies on enzyme enhanced oil recovery applications are not readily available. From the comprehensive review carried out in this study, we observed that most of the works done on enzyme enhanced oil recovery processes were not properly detailed and the different experimental procedures adopted makes coherent understanding of the process difficult. Evident however in all the studies from the laboratory experiments and field applications, is the capacity of enzyme to improve oil production from both sandstone and carbonate rocks. Also, we have identified and highlighted the physicochemical properties of the enzymes commonly used for enhanced oil recovery and their effects on oil recovery process in order to improve the understanding of their applicability in relevant hydrocarbon reservoir. Furthermore, the challenges and future research directions for enzyme enhanced oil recovery applications have been pinpointed in this study. Having unfold the enhanced oil recovery potential of enzyme, a clarion call is thereby made for deeper studies on this emerging method of improving oil production. This study is relevant to the design and application of enzyme enhanced oil recovery process in both carbonate and sandstone reservoirs.