ABSTRACT of PRESENTATION

 This presentation will include a discussion of topics related to microorganisms and the oil and gas industry.  The use of culture independent techniques for studying microbes will also be explained with emphasis on how it has vastly increased our understanding of microbes.  The presentation will include original research and specific examples to demonstrate how much our understanding of microorganisms has progressed and the potential for that knowledge to have significant impact on operations in the oil and gas industry.

The oil and gas exploration industry has made significant progress toward managing the extreme conditions encountered during oilfield operations.  The industry has been able to deal adequately with physical components, such as friction, extreme temperatures and pressures, as well as many of the chemical mechanisms such as sludge formation and stimulation of wells.  This understanding, however, is in sharp contrast to the relatively limited understanding of the potential impact microorganisms can have on oil and gas operations.  Microorganisms are more abundant and diverse than most people imagine and have the ability to drive biogeochemical processes on a global scale.  Despite their tremendous importance, there is very little understanding on the potential negative effects of microorganisms on oilfield operations or how to enhance their positive effects.

Microorganisms can have either a positive or negative impact on oilfield operations.  Negative effects can include microbial induced corrosion and plugging of equipment, biogenic souring of wells, interference with drilling operations and loss of formation permeability.  Microbial processes beneficial to exploration and production have also been identified, including assistance in locating reserves, enhancing oil recovery, mitigation of deleterious microbial processes and bio-remediation of waste products created by oilfield operations.