Bacteria to extract oil

1990/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Energia

In an age that fears oil shortages, fuel prices rise at any time and the inflation of the economy as a whole. Therefore, a new technique, devised by Australian researchers, is of great importance. It is known that as oil deposits are emptied the pressure drops and leaves less to the outside.

When oil stops coming out, gas or water is injected to get what is inside. However, this gas or water contains chemical additions to improve the release and expulsion of oil that is attached to the rocks and cracks of the deposit. However, it is estimated that only 30% to 50% of what is in this system can be achieved. In addition, injected chemical additives are expensive and not biodegradable.

Australians have recently tested a system in which bacteria are used. These bacteria, already present in the oil field, have a special characteristic: they are able to form a kind of natural biodegradable detergent. Thus oil adhered to rock and slits is easily released.

In the Australian system these bacteria first come out of the pit and reproduce by nutritious substances. Then, hot bacteria get back into the deposit.

When the pressure of the trench drops, water is injected and oil is easily released.

The results obtained in the trials have been very encouraging. The Alta oil field in Queensland has improved its production by 50% in a year and there are no signs to drop.

This success has been achieved by a team of microbiology researchers from the University of Camberra with the help of the oil industry.