Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery: Mechanisms, Environmental Sustainability, and Biosafety Considerations
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jsse.202608202
Author(s)
Shenghui Yue
Affiliation(s)
Institute of Petroleum Engineering Technology, Shengli Oilfield, Dongying, Shandong, China
Abstract
The depletion of accessible petroleum reserves has intensified research into tertiary recovery technologies capable of mobilizing residual hydrocarbons. Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) represents an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional chemical methods, harnessing microorganisms and their metabolic products to improve oil displacement efficiency. This review examines the fundamental mechanisms of MEOR, including biosurfactant-mediated interfacial tension reduction, biopolymer-induced selective plugging, and wettability alteration. It also addresses environmental safety implications including groundwater contamination risks and potential proliferation of sulfate-reducing bacteria. By integrating mechanistic understanding with environmental risk assessment, MEOR technology can be developed as a cornerstone of sustainable petroleum extraction.
Keywords
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery; Biosurfactant; Environmental Sustainability; Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria; Reservoir Biosafety
References
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