Sustainable crude oil recovery: Advancing technology in microbial souring control and microbial enhanced oil recovery

天然栖息在油藏中的微生物对油气行业的运营有积极也有消极的影响。从负面来看，硫酸盐还原微生物会将硫酸盐转化为硫化物，导致储层酸化、管道腐蚀，并对健康造成不利影响。从积极的方面来看，油藏相关微生物的代谢活动可能有助于可持续地提高石油采收率。在之前的研究成果的基础上，拟议的项目将重点推进(1)酸化控制和(2)MEOR技术，重点是在高温和原油存在的情况下进行研究。在酸化控制方面，微生物活动对油藏在高温或低温下酸化的贡献将被确定。将研究新的硝酸盐和杀菌剂组合来缓解酸味，重点是高温场。在MEOR领域，将探索各种微生物活动，通过使用商业上可获得的廉价底物或可生物降解的油成分来促进微生物的生长和活性，以提高高温和低温下的石油产量。我们还将测试现有方法的有效性，例如使用碳氢化合物或溶剂应用，以提高选定油田的石油产量。拟议项目的结果将有助于(1)减轻硫化物引起的管道腐蚀、变酸和硫化物对健康的有害影响；(2)延长常规石油生产的生产寿命；(3)以最小的环境影响提高采出水循环和高效采油。这些活动将为我们的行业合作伙伴（Enerplus， Yara和GE公司的贝克休斯）带来很大的好处，因为：(1)提供了对导致酸化和MEOR的潜在因素的更好理解，(2)开发了防止酸化和以可持续方式回收化石能源的增强技术。此外，参加这个项目的受训人员将为负责任地开发加拿大的矿物燃料资源作出贡献。总的来说，该项目对能源行业、加拿大经济以及需要安全可靠能源的公众都有很高的好处。

Microorganisms that naturally inhabit oil reservoirs can contribute negatively or positively to oil and gas industry operations. On the negative side, sulfate-reducing microorganisms that convert sulfate to sulfide contribute to reservoir souring, pipeline corrosion, and detrimental health impacts. On the positive side, the metabolic activities of reservoir-associated microorganisms may contribute to sustainable, enhanced oil recovery. Building on previous findings, the proposed project will focus on advancing (1) the control of souring and (2) MEOR technology with an emphasis on conducting research at high temperature and in the presence of crude oil. In the area of souring control, the contributions of microbial activities to reservoir souring at high or low temperature will be determined. New nitrate and biocide combinations will be examined to alleviate souring, focusing on high temperature fields. In the area of MEOR, various microbial activities will be explored to enhance oil production at high and low temperatures by using commercially-available and inexpensive substrates or biodegradable oil components to promote microbial growth and activity. We will also test the efficacy of existing methods, such as the use of hydrocarbon or solvent application, to enhance oil production at selected oil fields. The outcome of the proposed project will help (1) to mitigate sulfide-induced pipeline corrosion, souring, and detrimental health impacts of sulfide; (2) to extend the production life of conventional oil production; and (3) to improve production water recycling and efficient oil production with minimal environmental impact. These activities will be of high benefit to our industry partners (Enerplus, Yara, and Baker Hughes, a GE Company) by (1) providing a better understanding of the underlying factors driving souring and MEOR, and (2) developing enhanced technologies for preventing souring and recovering fossil energy in a sustainable manner. Further, trainees undertaking this project will contribute to the responsible development of Canada's fossil fuel resources. Overall, the project is of high benefit to the energy industry, the Canadian economy, and the general public who demand safe and reliable energy sources.