Abstract: The invention provides an automated method for selecting a microbial strain from within a microbial strain library which can degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate. An apparatus, device or system adapted to perform the method of the invention is further provided. The use of the method of the invention in a method for preparing a microbial inoculum suitable for use to degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate; in a method of treating an oil reservoir or environmental remediation; and in a method for producing a biosurfactant-like substance is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an automated method for selecting a microbial strain from within a microbial strain library which can degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate. An apparatus, device or system adapted to perform the method of the invention is further provided. The use of the method of the invention in a method for preparing a microbial inoculum suitable for use to degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate; in a method of treating an oil reservoir or environmental remediation; and in a method for producing a biosurfactant-like substance is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a subterranean formation which contains sand particles, said method comprising contacting said formation with a positively charged polymer capable of increasing the residual matrix strength of said sand particles whereby to reduce or prevent their migration while minimizing any decrease in the permeability of said formation. Polymer materials suitable for use in the method of the invention include polyaminoacids, poly (diallyl ammonium salts) and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing oil recovery from subterranean hydrocarbon reservoirs are described, wherein a microorganism capable of digesting oil is injected into the formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of a subterranean formation which contains sand particles, said method comprising contacting said formation with a material capable of increasing the residual matrix strength of said particulate fine whereby to reduce or prevent their migration whilst minimizing any decrease in their permeability. Preferred materials include organosilanes and enzyme systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of a subterranean formation which contains sand particles, said method comprising contacting said formation with a material capable of increasing the residual matrix strength of said particulate fine whereby to reduce or prevent their migration while minimizing any decrease in their permeability. Preferred materials include organosilanes and enzyme systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of an alkanol (e.g. butanol) comprising converting a carbon source such as a biomass into a carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof using a microorganism, and electrochemically reducing said acid to said alkanol, as well as an apparatus for carrying out said process.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of an alcohol which comprises cleaving polysaccharides in a cellulosic material in an aqueous medium at a temperature of at least 45° C. using a thermophilic microorganism to yield fermentable sugars, fermenting an aqueous solution of said sugars at a temperature of at least 45° C. with a thermophilic microorganism to yield an alcohol or an alkanoate, if necessary reducing said alkanoate to yield an alcohol, and removing said alcohol from said aqueous solution.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of controlling water in a subterranean formation, said method comprising contacting said formation with a water control treatment agent which comprises an organosilane in an amount effective to reduce the water permeability of at least part of said formation. At the same time, any decrease in the overall hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) permeability of said formation is preferably minimized. The invention further provides a method of plugging or sealing a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down said well, polymeric particles having covalently bound to a polymeric component thereof a well treatment chemical or a precursor thereof, wherein the particles contain covalent bonds scissile in an aqueous environment to release or expose said chemical or precursor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enhancing oil recovery from a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, said method comprising injecting into said reservoir through a matrix injection section of a well a microorganism capable of digesting oil, and recovering oil from an oil receiving section of a production well, where said injection section is in said production well or is in an injection well and is above or adjacent said oil receiving section, and wherein microorganism injection is preceded by another oil extraction enhancing procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down said well, polymeric particles having covalently bound to a polymeric component thereof a well treatment chemical or a precursor thereof, wherein the particles contain covalent bonds scissile in an aqueous environment to release or expose said chemical or precursor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a culture of subterranean microorganisms, said method comprising: obtaining a sample of pressurized fluid from a subterranean reservoir; while maintaining said sample under pressure transferring it into a fermentation reactor; and incubating said sample in said reactor under elevated pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of a subterranean formation which contains sand particles, said method comprising contacting said formation with a positively charged polymer capable of increasing the residual matrix strength of said sand particles whereby to reduce or prevent their migration whilst minimising any decrease in the permeability of said formation. Polymer materials suitable for use in the method of the invention include polyaminoacids, poly (diallyl ammonium salts) and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down said well, polymeric particles having covalently bound to a polymeric component thereof a well treatment chemical or a precursor thereof, wherein the particles contain covalent bonds scissile in an aqueous environment to release or expose said chemical or precursor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down the well, inverse suspension polymerized polymer particles having immobilized therein a well treatment chemical or a precursor or generator thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed relating to the treatment of a hydrocarbon well, which method comprises administering down a bore hole thermophilic microorganisms capable of generating a well treatment chemical, in particular wherein the bore hole is a producer bore hole and the well treatment chemical is a peptide such as polyAsp; further aspects include thermophilic microorganisms which have been genetically engineered to produce a well treatment chemical and bioreactors in which microorganisms generate well treatment chemicals for application to a down hole environment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of well treatment comprising introducing into the matrix surrounding a hydrocarbon well bore hole an emulsion the discontinuous phase of which comprises a non-polymerizable, water or oil miscible liquid carrier, a polymerizable monomer and a thermally activated polymerization initiator, said monomer constituting from 2 to 40% wt. of said discontinuous phase.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well comprising administering down the well polymeric particles impregnated with a well treatment chemical or precursor or generator thereof. The particles have a pore volume of at least 20%, and are prepared by a process which comprises preparing an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles containing from 0.05 to 10 times by volume, based on the polymer, of one or more specific first material(s) adding a partly water-soluble second material having a water-solubility of at least ten times that of first material(s) under conditions which prevent or hinder transport of first material(s) through the aqueous phase, whereby second material diffuses into the polymer particles swelled with first material(s) and increases the volume of said particles by from 20 to 1000 times, based on the polymer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed relating to the treatment of a hydrocarbon well, which method comprises administering down a bore hole thermophilic microorganisms capable of generating a well treatment chemical, in particular wherein the bore hole is a producer bore hole and the well treatment chemical is a peptide such as polyAsp; further aspects include thermophilic microorganisms which have been genetically engineered to produce a well treatment chemical and bioreactors in which microorganisms generate well treatment chemicals for application to a down hole environment.