Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a potential
tertiary
oil recovery method. However, past research has failed to describe
microbial growth and metabolism reasonably, especially quantification
of reaction equations and operating parameters is still not clear.
The present study investigated the ability of bacteria extracted from
Ansai Oilfield for MEOR. Through core flooding experiments, bacteria-treated
experiments produced approximately 6.28–9.81% higher oil recovery
than control experiments. Then, the microbial reaction kinetic model
was established based on laboratory experimental data and mass conservation.
Furthermore, the proposed model was validated by matching core flooding
experiment results. Lastly, the effects of different injection parameters
on bacteria growth, bacteria migration, metabolite migration, residual
oil distribution, and oil recovery were studied by establishing a
field-scale model. The results indicate that the injected bacteria
concentration and nutrient concentration have a great influence on
bacteria growth in a reservoir and the low nutrient concentration
seriously restricts bacteria growth. Compared with the injected bacteria
concentration, nutrient concentration has a decisive effect on bacteria
and metabolite migration. The injected bacteria concentration has
little effect on oil recovery, while nutrient concentration and slug
volume have a significant effect on oil recovery.