Laboratory studies of MEOR in micromodel as a fractured system

Abstract

Microbial EOR (MEOR) is receiving renewed interest worldwide. The method is based on microorganisms' activities to reduce residual oil of reservoirs, which is dependent on behavior of inherent microorganisms or injection of bioproduct of external microorganisms. Five bacterial species were taken from MIS crude oil that is one of the aging Persian fractured reservoirs. Visualization experiments were carried out to examine the behavior of MEOR in micromodels designed to resemble the fractured system: static and dynamic. A new surface sample of the MIS oil was taken at the well head and physical specifications were measured at the lab. This was fairly light oil with API gravity of 42.5. The respective specifications were presented. The selected microorganisms initially formed spores. The microorganisms were all classified as bacillus. Forming different colonies were observed after separation process. All of the microorganisms were facultative anaerobic. Reservoir rock wettabilty alteration was observed from oil-wet to water-wet by the microorganisms.