Review on Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery and Controlling Its Produced Hydrogen Sulfide Effects on Reservoir and Transporting Pipelines

Abstract

Using viable microbial cultures within hydrocarbon reservoirs so as to enhancement of oil recovery through metabolic activities is exactly what we recognize as Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). In similar with many other process in industries, there are some cons and pros following with MEOR. The creation of sulfides such as hydrogen sulfide as a result of injecting the sulfate-containing seawater into hydrocarbon reservoirs in order to maintain the required reservoir pressure, leads to produce and growth of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) approximately near the injection wells, turning the reservoir into sour, however SRB is not considered as the only microbial process stimulating the formation of sulfides. Along with SRB, thermochemical sulfate reduction or thermal redox reaction (TSR) is also known to be highly effective at resulting in having extremely concentrated zones of 𝐻2S in the reservoir fluids eligible to cause corrosion. Owing to extent of the topic, more information on formation of 𝐻2S are going to be put finger on. Besides, confronting the undesirable production of sulfide species in the reservoirs can lead to serious operational, environmental and financial problems in particular the transporting pipelines. Consequently, conjuring up reservoir souring control strategies on the way production of oil and gas is the only way to prevent possible damages in terms of environment, finance and man power which requires determining the compound’s reactivity, origin and partitioning behavior. This article is going to provide a comprehensive review on progress made in this field and the possible advent of new strategies in this technologically advanced world of petroleum industry.