Abstract: Methods are described for enhancing acetoclastic methanogenesis in subterranean geologic formations. The methods may include accessing a microorganism consortium in the formation, and assessing the consortium for acetoclastic methanogenic activity. The methods may further include modifying the formation environment based on the consortium assessment to increase methane production from acetoclastic methanogenic pathways used by the consortium. The modifications to the formation environment may include introducing an amendment and/or introducing acetoclastic microorganisms to the formation environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are strategies for the economical microbial generation of hydrogen, useful as an alternative energy source, from hydrocarbon-rich deposits such as coal, oil and/or gas formations, oil shale, bitumen, tar sands, carbonaceous shale, peat deposits and sediments rich in organic matter through the management of the metabolism of microbial consortia.

Abstract: An isolated microbial consortia is described. The consortia may include a first-bite microbial consortium that converts a starting hydrocarbon that is a complex hydrocarbon into two or more first-bite metabolic products. The consortia may also include a downstream microbial consortium that converts a starting hydrocarbon metabolic product into a downstream metabolic product. The downstream metabolic product has a greater mol. % hydrogen than the starting hydrocarbon. The first-bite microbial consortium or the downstream microbial consortium includes one or more species of Desulfuromonas.

Abstract: An isolated microbial consortium is described that includes a first microbial consortium having Thermacetogenium phaeum to metabolize a complex hydrocarbon substrate into metabolic products comprising an acetate compound. The consortium also includes a second microbial consortium having a methanogen to convert the acetate compound into a final product that includes methane. Also, a method of increasing production of materials with enhanced hydrogen content. The method includes isolating Thermacetogenium phaeum from geologic formation water, culturing the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum to increase the Thermacetogenium phaeum population, and introducing a consortium of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum, which may include spores of Thermacetogenium phaeum, into a hydrocarbon formation containing a complex hydrocarbon substrate.

Abstract: A microbial consortia for biogenically increasing the hydrogen content of a carbonaceous source material, where the consortia includes a first microbial consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous source material into one or more first intermediate hydrocarbons, a second microbial consortium, which includes one or more species of Thermotoga microorganisms, to convert the first intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more second intermediate hydrocarbons and oxidized carbon. and a third microbial consortium to convert the second intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more smaller hydrocarbons and water, where the smaller hydrocarbons have a greater mol. % hydrogen than the carbonaceous source material.

Abstract: A microbial consortia for biogenically increasing the hydrogen content of a carbonaceous source material, where the consortia includes a first microbial consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous source material into one or more first intermediate hydrocarbons, a second microbial consortium, which includes one or more species of Pseudomonas microorganisms, to convert the first intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more second intermediate hydrocarbons and oxidized carbon. and a third microbial consortium to convert the second intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more smaller hydrocarbons and water, where the smaller hydrocarbons have a greater mol. % hydrogen than the carbonaceous source material.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation that includes a carbonaceous material. They may also include providing a phosphorous compound to the microorganisms. The phosphorous compound stimulates the consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous material into a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. Also, methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content by providing a yeast extract amenment to a consortium of microorganisms is described. The yeast extract amendment stimulates the consortium to metabolize carbonaceous material in the formation into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation that includes a carbonaceous material. They may also include providing hydrogen and one or more phosphorous compounds to the microorganisms. The combination of the hydrogen and phosphorous compounds stimulates the consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous material into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. Also, methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content by providing a carboxylate compound, such as acetate, to a consortium of microorganisms is described. The carboxylate compound stimulates the consortium to metabolize carbonaceous material in the formation into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content.

Abstract: Disclosed are strategies for the economical microbial generation of hydrogen, useful as an alternative energy source, from hydrocarbon-rich deposits such as coal, oil and/or gas formations, oil shale, bitumen, tar sands, carbonaceous shale, peat deposits and sediments rich in organic matter through the management of the metabolism of microbial consortia.

Abstract: An isolated microbial consortium is described that includes a first microbial consortium having Thermacetogenium phaeum to metabolize a complex hydrocarbon substrate into metabolic products comprising an acetate compound. The consortium also includes a second microbial consortium having a methanogen to convert the acetate compound into a final product that includes methane. Also, a method of increasing production of materials with enhanced hydrogen content. The method includes isolating Thermacetogenium phaeum from geologic formation water, culturing the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum to increase the Thermacetogenium phaeum population, and introducing a consortium of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum, which may include spores of Thermacetogenium phaeum, into a hydrocarbon formation containing a complex hydrocarbon substrate.

Abstract: A method of transferring an interest in microbial rights associated with a parcel of land. The method includes recognizing a microbial estate that includes the microbial rights, where ownership interests in the microbial estate are separately transferable from other estates associated with the parcel of land, and transferring one or more of the microbial rights of the microbial estate to a party that is not in possession or ownership of the microbial estate. Also, a method of searching interests in a microbial estate, where the method may include identifying a location for a parcel of land associated with the microbial estate, searching records associated with the identified parcel of land, and identifying in the records a name of one or more parties having an interest in the microbial estate. Methods of auctioning a microbial right in microbial property are also described.

Abstract: A method to stimulate the biogenic production of a metabolite with enhanced hydrogen content that includes forming an opening in a geologic formation to provide access to a consortium of microorganisms, and injecting water into the opening to disperse at least a portion of the consortium over a larger region of a hydrocarbon deposit. The method may also include measuring a change in the rate of production of the metabolite in the formation. Also, an method to stimulate biogenic production of a metabolite that includes measuring a salinity level of formation water in a geologic formation, and injecting water into the opening to reduce the salinity level of the formation water in the formation. The method may also include measuring a change in the rate of production of the metabolite in the formation.

Abstract: A microbial consortia for biogenically increasing the hydrogen content of a carbonaceous source material, where the consortia includes a first microbial consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous source material into one or more first intermediate hydrocarbons, a second microbial consortium, which includes one or more species of Thermotoga microorganisms, to convert the first intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more second intermediate hydrocarbons and oxidized carbon. and a third microbial consortium to convert the second intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more smaller hydrocarbons and water, where the smaller hydrocarbons have a greater mol. % hydrogen than the carbonaceous source material.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to isolate microorganisms and optionally their genetic material. The isolation of microorganisms is conducted under anaerobic or other similar conditions to facilitate the preparation of microorganisms that are anaerobes, whether obligate or facultative, as well as microaerophiles. In an alternative format, the isolation of microorganisms is from a carbonaceous substrate which typically hinders or retards isolation therefrom.

Abstract: A microbial consortia for biogenically increasing the hydrogen content of a carbonaceous source material, where the consortia includes a first microbial consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous source material into one or more first intermediate hydrocarbons, a second microbial consortium, which includes one or more species of Pseudomonas microorganisms, to convert the first intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more second intermediate hydrocarbons and oxidized carbon and a third microbial consortium to convert the second intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more smaller hydrocarbons and water, where the smaller hydrocarbons have a greater mol. % hydrogen than the carbonaceous source material.