Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for improving hydrocarbon-water compatibility. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for enhancing the production of surface-active agents in hydrocarbon-exposed surface waters in order to improve hydrocarbon-water compatibility. Hydrocarbon-exposed surface waters having enhanced levels of surface-active agents can be used to improve remediation of subsurface hydrocarbon-contaminated sites.

Abstract: The viscosity of the crude oil is reduced through reductive biotransformation of aromatic components of the crude oil by enhancing the biochemical capabilities of the natural anaerobic microbial populations of the well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microbial consortium containing three hyperthermophilic, barophilic, acidogenic, anaerobic bacterial strains for enhanced oil recovery from oil reservoirs where temperatures range from 70° C. to 90? C. The said microbial consortium is unique in producing a variety of metabolic products mainly CO2, methane, biosurfactant, volatile fatty acids and alcohols in the presence of specially designed nutrient medium. These metabolic products increase sweep efficiency of crude oil from oil bearing poles of rock formation. The present invention also provides a process for enhancing the oil recovery by in situ application of the said microbial consortium.

Abstract: A method of reducing wax deposition in an oil wellbore tubing are disclosed which comprise providing an aqueous bioslurry comprising at least one microbe capable of degrading paraffin wax at about 20-45° C. and a nutrient medium containing one or more carbon source and a source of O2. The method further includes providing an oil wellbore completion having a production tubing with an interior surface including a zone that is susceptible to wax deposition when the well is operated to produce oil.

Abstract: A method of microbial enhanced oil recovery for recovering oil from an oil-bearing rock formation is provided. The methodology uses a consortium of bacteria including a mixture of surfactant producing bacteria and non-surfactant enzyme producing bacteria which may release hydrocarbons from bitumen containing sands. The described bioprocess can work with existing petroleum recovery protocols. The consortium microorganisms are also useful for treatment of above oil sands, ground waste tailings, subsurface oil recovery, and similar materials to enhance remediation and/or recovery of additional hydrocarbons from the materials.

Abstract: A dissolved oxygen releasing blend is disclosed utilizing magnesium peroxide blended with powdered Bentonite and/or vegetable oil. The Bentonite (or other clay material) reduces the hydraulic conductivity of magnesium peroxide, thereby reducing the rate of magnesium peroxide disassociation.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting souring in a hydrocarbon reservoir provides a feed water including a plurality of phosphorous constituents and having an elevated phosphorous concentration. At least some of the phosphorous constituents are removed from the feed water to produce a treated injection water, which has a reduced phosphorous concentration less than the elevated phosphorous concentration. The treated injection water is injected into the reservoir via a first well and the hydrocarbon is produced from the reservoir via a second well. The process inhibits souring in the reservoir insofar as the treated injection water results in a lower level of souring in the reservoir over time than if the feed water had been injected into the reservoir.

Abstract: A process for introducing microorganisms to carbonaceous material in an anaerobic environment is described. The process includes the step of extracting formation water from a geologic formation, and removing at least a portion of an extractable material from the formation water to make amended formation water. The process may further include introducing the amended formation water to the carbonaceous material. Also, a process for increasing biogenic hydrocarbon production in a geologic formation containing a carbonaceous material is described. The process includes extracting formation water from the formation, removing at least a portion of one or more hydrocarbons from the formation water to make amended formation water, and reintroducing the amended formation water to the geologic formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a viscosity reducing microbe is disposed in a capsule and added to the gelled fluid. The gelled fluid may include a thickening agent adapted to increase its viscosity. Upon release from the capsule, the microbe begins to digest the thickening agent in the gelled fluid and/or releases enzymes that that breakdown the thickening agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decreasing the contents of metals, metalloids, nitrate and nitrite, respectively, in raw water flowing through a basin (1), whereby water containing either oxygen, oxygen-releasing substances, metabolic reactions of naturally occurring micro-organisms or containing denitrification organisms and/or substrates therefore is intermittently introduced to the basin (1) through a number of satellite wells (2) arranged around at least one extraction well (3) for purified water.

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: Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled aqueous fluids containing water, a VES, an internal breaker, a VES stabilizer, a fluid loss control agent and a viscosity enhancer are useful as treating fluids and particularly as fracturing fluids for subterranean formations. These VES-based fluids have faster and more complete clean-up than polymer-based fracturing fluids. The use of an internal breaker permits ready removal of the unique VES micelle based pseudo-filter cake with several advantages including reducing the typical VES loading and total fluid volume since more VES fluid stays within the fracture, generating a more optimum fracture geometry for enhanced reservoir productivity, and treating reservoirs with permeability above the present VES limit of approximately 400 md to at least 2000 md.

Abstract: A method of in-situ groundwater nitrification, by: extracting groundwater from the ground; adding oxygen to the extracted groundwater; adding nutrients to the extracted groundwater; and injecting the groundwater back into the ground, wherein the oxygen reacts with in-situ nitrifying bacteria to oxidize ammonia to nitrate, and wherein the nutrients encourage the nitrifying bacteria to grow and reproduce. A method of in-situ groundwater de-nitrification, by: extracting the groundwater from the ground; adding carbon to the extracted groundwater; adding nutrients to the extracted groundwater; and injecting the groundwater back into the ground, wherein the carbon reacts with in-situ de-nitrifying bacteria to reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas, and wherein the nutrients encourage the de-nitrifying bacteria to grow and reproduce.

Abstract: A formulation and method to enhance recovery from an oil wherein the method supplies a mixture of petroleum distillates and terpenoid compounds, and a salt extraction formulation comprising a mixture of humic acid and fulvic acid. The method discontinues the extraction of materials from the oil well, disposing the mixture of petroleum distillates and terpenoid compounds into the oil well, and disposes the salt extraction formulation into the oil well. The method recirculates the oil well, and then returns the oil well to service.

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: A bioremediation of subsurface soil formations contaminated with hazardous wastes is achieved by hydraulic fracturing of the subsurface soil formation with simultaneous introduction of sodium percarbonate coated with polyvinylidene chloride as a solid oxygen source (SOS) for establishing colonies of the biodegrading bacteria within the fractures of the soil formation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions provide site-specific bioremediation for petroleum contamination of soil and groundwater.

Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing measure such as an oil-bearing rock formation (13). The method comprises: injecting water containing a source of vitamins, phosphates and an electron acceptor such as nitrate into the formation at first location (10) and allowing anaerobic bacteria, which are either already present in the formation (13) or which are introduced simultaneously to multiply using the oil as their main carbon source. This establishes a biomass layer (16) which acts to dissociate the oil from the rock formation (13). The dissociated oil is removed via an outlet (15). The vitamins are supplied by means of a controlled-release medium.

Abstract: Scaling may be reduced during oil and gas production using a device having a sound transducer. The device can be used downhole and functions independently of an external power supply. Use of the device allows for the reduction or elimination of anti-scaling chemical additives during the production phase of an oil and gas well.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, the method comprising providing a supply of biosolids; selecting an introduction formation below a ground surface, the introduction formation comprising a natural gas formation in a gas accumulation zone; introducing the biosolids into the introduction formation at a pressure sufficient to create and maintain fractures within the selected introduction formation; and allowing degradation of the introduced biosolids.

Abstract: Processes for treating compositions comprising one or more alkanes (for example crude oils) to enhance volume of the compositions are disclosed. The processes comprise introducing into the composition one or more aerobic microorganisms, thereby forming an intermediate composition, and then introducing one or more anaerobic microorganisms into the intermediate composition to form a second composition, and repeating these steps at least once.

Abstract: A wellbore method which, in certain aspects, includes providing a fluid with microorganisms and introduction apparatus for introducing the fluid into an earth formation bearing hydrocarbons to facilitate removal of the hyrdrocarbons, effecting heat exchange between the fluid and a heat transfer medium that has traversed an earth loop of an earth loop heat exchange system, the earth loop extending from an earth surface down into the earth and the heat transfer medium flowable through the earth loop and transfer apparatus for transferring heat between the fluid and the heat transfer medium; and, in certain aspects wherein effecting the heat exchange between the fluid and the heat transfer medium prolongs life of and/or enhances activity of the microorganisms.

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 includes methods of inhibiting microbial growth in a well. A packing material containing a mixture of a first material and an antimicrobial agent is provided to at least partially fill a well bore. One or more access tubes are provided in an annular space around a casing within the well bore. The access tubes have a first terminal opening located at or above a ground surface and have a length that extends from the first terminal opening at least part of the depth of the well bore. The access tubes have a second terminal opening located within the well bore. An antimicrobial material is supplied into the well bore through the first terminal opening of the access tubes. The invention also includes well constructs.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of inhibiting microbial growth in a well. A packing material containing a mixture of a first material and an antimicrobial agent is provided to at least partially fill a well bore. One or more access tubes are provided in an annular space around a casing within the well bore. The access tubes have a first terminal opening located at or above a ground surface and have a length that extends from the first terminal opening at least part of the depth of the well bore. The access tubes have a second terminal opening located within the well bore. An antimicrobial material is supplied into the well bore through the first terminal opening of the access tubes. The invention also includes well constructs.

Abstract: A method of microbial enhanced oil recovery for recovering oil from an oil-bearing rock formation (13). The method comprises: injecting water containing a source of vitamins, phosphates and an electron acceptor such as nitrate into the formation at first location (10) and allowing anaerobic bacteria, which are either already present in the formation (13) or which are introduced simultaneously to multiply using the oil as their main carbon source. This establishes a biomass layer (16) which acts to dissociate the oil from the rock formation (13). The dissociated oil is removed via an outlet (15).

Abstract: A bioremediation apparatus is disclosed for anaerobic biodegradation, detoxification, and transformation of toxic organic and inorganic compounds in a contaminated geologic media. The bioremediation apparatus includes a first set of one or more storage tanks containing a chemical composition for anaerobic biodegradation of toxic compounds in contaminated geologic media; a plurality of quick disconnect valve couplings connected to the first set of storage tanks; at least one logic controller having a logic controller programmer component for opening and closing an automatic valve means connected to the first set of storage tanks to supply the chemical composition to the contaminated geologic media; and a screened well connected to the first set of storage tanks for supplying the chemical composition to the contaminated geologic media.

Abstract: A novel microorganism producing a nontoxic, non-antigenic exopolysaccharide is taught. The exopolysaccharide has neutral sugars migrating at the same rate as mannose, fucose, fructose and galactose, acidic sugars migrating at the same rate as fucose and amine sugars migrating at the same rate as glucose and fucose, and wherein the ratio of galactose:fucose:glucose:mannose is about 1:2:3:6. The microbe and the exopolysaccharide have uses as a biofilm in geologic applications and have several consumer uses as food and drug polymers and use as a plasma extender.

Abstract: A method for monitoring hydrocarbon and water production from different production zones/sections in a hydrocarbon reservoir and/or injection wells and detection of different phenomena such as e.g. local variations in pH, salinity, hydrocarbon composition, temperature, pressure, microorganisms, and the difference between production of formation and/or injection water from various zones/sections. The method includes dividing regions around wells in the reservoir into a number of zones/sections, and injecting or placing specific tracers with unique characteristics for each zone/section into the formation in these regions such that tracers are placed as integrated parts of the well completion or placed and immobilized in these regions through injection, squeeze or by other techniques. The tracers can also be immobilized or placed on a filter, a casing or other constructions surrounding the well in each zone/section. The tracers are specific or introduced to give specific information from each zone/section.

Abstract: A system and method for the accelerated decontamination of contaminated soil, vadose zone and/or groundwater is described. Contaminates are removed from soil and from the groundwater via heat injection through trenching or directionally drilled or horizontally drilled and installed delivery plumbing, pure oxygen injection through separate plumbing installed in the same manner as the plumbing used to deliver the heat, bioventing, sparging, and bioremediation, all through the oxygen delivery plumbing, and soil vapor extraction through vertical wells, all contained in one mobile treatment system. Contaminants are separated from the soil gas via filtration or oxidation. Residual contaminants in the vadose zone and/or the in the groundwater are subjected to volatilization by increased temperature via heat injection and/or oxidation via contaminant degrading microorganisms.

Abstract: A bioremediation of subsurface soil formations contaminated with hazardous wastes is achieved by hydraulic fracturing of the subsurface soil formation with simultaneous introduction of sodium percarbonate coated with polyvinylidene chloride as a solid oxygen source (SOS) for establishing colonies of the biodegrading bacteria within the fractures of the soil formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recovery and treatment of underground mineral deposits by multitude of directional and multi-functional wells drilled from the super daisy shaft through which the dynamics and dragging forces of fluid means is developed synergistically with complex rubblization and other techniques, and more particularly where the same wells assist in creation of the pressurized barriers to contain the exploitation field for treatment and recovery of minerals.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump has one or more components coated with a biocide-incorporated coating for the purpose of controlling the activity of bacteria. The portions exposed to well fluid are coated for inhibiting bacteria from growing. Both centrifugal and progressing cavity pumps are applicable.

Abstract: Air is introduced into the injection water for microbial enhanced oil recovery. The injection water is passed through an ejector where it is entrained and the oxygen subsequently dissolves in the water.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for stimulating the activity of microbial consortia in a subterranean formation to convert hydrocarbons to methane, which can be produced. Fluid and rock of the formation are analyzed. The presence of microbial consortia is determined and a characterization made (preferably genetic) of at least one microorganism of the consortia, at least one being a methanogenic microorganism. The characterization is compared with at least one known characterization derived from a known microorganism having one or more known physiological and ecological characteristics. This information, together with the information obtained from the analysis of the fluid and rock, is used to determine an ecological environment that promotes in situ microbial degradation of formation hydrocarbons and promotes microbial generation of methane by at least one methanogenic microorganism of the consortia. This information is then used as the basis for modifying the formation environment to produce methane.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, the method comprising a) providing a supply of biosolids; creating a slurry of the biosolids suitable for injecting; selecting an injection formation below a ground surface, the injection formation comprising a natural gas formation in a gas accumulation zone; injecting the biosolids slurry into the injection formation at a pressure sufficient to create and maintain fractures within the selected injection formation; and allowing degradation of the injected biosolids slurry.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, the method comprising a) providing a supply of biosolids; creating a slurry of the biosolids suitable for injecting; selecting an injection formation below a ground surface, the injection formation comprising a natural gas formation in a gas accumulation zone; injecting the biosolids slurry into the injection formation at a pressure sufficient to create and maintain fractures within the selected injection formation; and allowing degradation of the injected biosolids slurry.

Abstract: A wellbore method which, in certain aspects, includes providing with a primary system a fluid with microorganisms, the primary system including introduction apparatus, with the introduction apparatus introducing the fluid with microorganisms into an earth formation bearing hydrocarbons, the microorganisms for facilitating removal of the hyrdrocarbons from the earth formation bearing hydrocarbons, effecting heat exchange between the fluid with microorganisms and heat transfer fluid that has traversed an earth loop of an earth loop heat exchange system, the earth loop heat exchange system with an earth loop extending from an earth surface down into the earth with the heat transfer fluid flowable through the earth loop and heat transfer apparatus for transferring heat between the fluid with the microorganisms and the heat transfer fluid; and, in certain asepcts wherein effecting the heat exchange between said fluid with microorganisms and the heat transfer fluid prolongs life of and/or enhances activity of the m

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, such as municipal sewage waste, comprising injecting the biosolids into a subsurface injection formation. The method can include recovering methane generated from the degradation of the biosolids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which alkane-utilizing bacteria are used to reduce fouling of injection and recovery wells. Fouling materials such as combinations of bacteria and metal oxides that would otherwise clog the wells are prevented from depositing on the wells. In a preferred embodiment, a butane substrate and an oxygen-containing gas are injected near a well inlet or outlet to stimulate the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria which are effective at reducing or eliminating fouling of the well.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for stimulating the activity of microbial consortia in a subterranean formation to convert hydrocarbons to methane, which can be produced. Fluid and rock of the formation are analyzed. The presence of microbial consortia is determined and a characterization made (preferably genetic) of at least one microorganism of the consortia, at least one being a methanogenic microorganism. The characterization is compared with at least one known characterization derived from a known microorganism having one or more known physiological and ecological characteristics. This information, together with the information obtained from the analysis of the fluid and rock, is used to determine an ecological environment that promotes in situ microbial degradation of formation hydrocarbons and promotes microbial generation of methane by at least one methanogenic microorganism of the consortia. This information is then used as the basis for modifying the formation environment to produce methane.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, such as municipal sewage waste, comprising injecting the biosolids into a subsurface injection formation. The method can include recovering methane generated from the degradation of the biosolids.

Abstract: A method and system are described for removing contaminants from the phreatic zone, also known as the saturation zone, or groundwater. A barrier wall is constructed below the ground surface and in the path of flow of a contaminated groundwater plume. A well is constructed in advance of the barrier wall and is connected to the barrier wall via a pipe. Various remediation media may be lowered into the well to perform remediation on the contaminated groundwater before it passes through the barrier wall.

Abstract: This invention is a novel method for bioremediation of soil and ground water based on supplying hydrogen (H2) to naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria in the soil or ground water. These organisms use the hydrogen as an electron donor to perform adventitious chemical reactions including the dehalogenation of chlorinated organic compounds. The hydrogen can be supplied from a number of sources, including; stored hydrogen, hydrogen generated above ground on site, either electrochemically or by reforming a fuel source, or by electrolysis in the soil, either using an electric current supplied from above ground or an electric current generated by the corrosion of metal particles in the ground. For the last of these cases, a novel multi-metallic particle especially useful for the generation of hydrogen, and a method for making these particles, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which alkane-utilizing bacteria are used to reduce fouling of injection and recovery wells. Fouling materials such as combinations of bacteria and metal oxides that would otherwise clog the wells are prevented from depositing on the wells. In a preferred embodiment, a butane substrate and an oxygen-containing gas are injected near a well inlet or outlet to stimulate the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria which are effective at reducing or eliminating fouling of the well.

Abstract: Provided is a process for remedying a contaminated soil characterized in that a contaminated region of the ground is purified by the steps of first freezing the contaminated region, then injecting to the same a microorganism and a liquid agent or gas which is required for a biological treatment using the microorganism's ability to decomposing a pollutant, to enable more efficient and rapid remediation.

Abstract: Xanthan molecules are degraded using an xanthanase enzyme complex that is stable at temperatures above 250.degree. F., such as those temperatures found in some wellbores and process streams. The xanthanase enzyme complex is produced by a novel soil bacterium. The xanthanase enzyme complex may be used to remove xanthan based formation damage, such as drilling filter-cakes and filtrates, or to remove xanthan based filter-cakes and/or residues present in processing equipment. The xanthanase enzyme complex may also be used to reduce the viscosity of xanthan-containing fluids, such as hydraulic fracturing fluids, blocking gels, drilling muds, and process fluids. The xanthanase enzyme complex may also be used in conjunction with other well or process treatments, such as stimulations and cementing operations, to improve the effectiveness of these treatments.

Abstract: Characterization of organic contaminants in subsurface formation is performed by methods for detecting the presence of nonaqueous phase liquid in a subsurface formation, and for determining the composition and for determining the volume of nonaqueous phase liquids. Generally the methods comprise introducing one or more partitioning tracers and one or more non-partitioning tracers at one or more injection points located in the subsurface formation and measuring separation between the one or more partitioning tracers and the one or more non-partitioning tracers from one or more sampling points located in the subsurface formation to determine presence, composition and/or volume of nonaqueous phase liquid in the subsurface formation. In addition, the methods can be used to assess the performance of an attempted remediation.

Abstract: A bioremediation process employing an improved bioreactor comprises pumping contaminated ground water from a recovery well in a contamination site, passing the water through a fully pressurized bioreactor wherein the water is enriched with nutrients and oxygen and treated with microorganisms native to the contamination site, and returning the enriched and treated water and microorganisms in a finely dispersed state to the contamination site, thereby enhancing bioremediation in a subsurface bioactive zone. The recirculation is accomplished with only the recovery well pump. The bioreactor is a fully pressurized fluidized bed bioreactor. The bioreactor includes a recirculation loop driven by a fluidization pump. The loop has a first branch that returns a portion of the recirculating water directly to the bioreactor inlet.

Abstract: A method for remedying an environment containing a pollutant using microorganisms comprising a step of injecting a liquid containing a microorganism which can decompose the pollutant into a predetermined site of the environment to be remedied, wherein a gas has been dissolved into or mixed with the liquid by applying a pressure higher than the pressure at the injection site and the liquid evolves the gas when injected into the predetermined site, and an apparatus which comprises a means for injecting a liquid containing a microorganism which can decompose a pollutant into a predetermined site of the environment, wherein the means injects the liquid in which a gas has been dissolved into or mixed with by applying a pressure higher than the pressure at the injection site, into the environment under a pressure so that the gas does not evolve from the liquid before injection.