The Ohio Geological Society

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15th, 2018

Lunch at 11:30, talk at 12:30 pm
Holiday Inn Columbus-Worthington
7007 N. High St., Worthington, OH 43085

Characteristics and Performance of Microbial-Based Well-Stimulation and Paraffin Dispersal Products

Marty Shumway – Locus Bio-Energy Solutions, LLC
Dr. Kenneth Alibek – Locus Bio-Energy Solutions, LLC

The use of microbes in enhanced oil recovery and paraffin dispersal has been studied for more than 50 years with mixed success. They function by generating production-enhancing metabolites such as biosurfactants and biopolymers and degrading crude oil components through biochemical reactions. A major weakness of prior processes using bacteria produced ex-situ has been a loss of efficacy of the microbial-cultured products when transported from the fermenter to the wells.

Unique patent-pending processes have recently been developed that provide extremely active microbial enhanced oil recovery and paraffin dispersal products.  A low-capex, modular fermentation system ensures maximum potency at the point of application and can be located within four hours of the point of application.  Typically, the microbial efficacy at injection is 10 to 1000 times that of competing microbial products.  An important benefit of this and other bio-based techniques is that the microbes are non-toxic and require no special handling, unlike the chemicals often utilized in enhanced oil recovery projects and for paraffin control.  Also, the negative impacts on production facilities and refining processes are reduced versus those impacts resulting from chemical treatments.

A team of microbiologists, geologists, and petroleum engineers has been employed to optimize the bacteria strains and well treatment procedures used in this study. Results of field applications of the concentrated microbial products are given for well stimulation to increase production and for paraffin control in conventional wells, both horizontal and vertical. Cost-effective performance is demonstrated for both types of treatments. In addition, a description of the mechanisms of action are reported based on controlled laboratory experiments using systems simulating those studied in the field.