HEAVY IRON NEWS
26% Of Hydrocarbons Recovered Through Microbial Technology
Design Team • March 1, 2016
New microbial technologies are currently being studied that could substantially increase the yields during certain oil recovery processes. In specific areas such as Mexico, these microbial technologies can vastly increase oil production in addition to reducing the per barrel extraction costs. This could be instrumental in improving the profitability of the oil industry in areas that are traditionally low yield.
INCREASES IN MICROBIAL EXTRACTION
Microbial technology was seen to increase the extraction process by up to 26% , an extraordinarily significant number when it is considered that many of the processes that the technology was used with only extracts approximately 30% of the potential oil, leaving 70% behind. In other words, the microbial technology was able to facilitate a nearly 100% increase in the amount of oil that can be obtained through specific extraction methods. This technology has been tested with injection well sites but has not yet entered into popular use.
IMPROVING OIL YIELDS WITH MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
Injection methods in areas such as Mexico have been notoriously inefficient, reclaiming only a small portion of the available oil every time extraction has been attempted. This has ultimately led to techniques such as refracturing , which go back to previously thought to be depleted wells in order to recover more oil. While this does acquire more oil, it also makes the process far more expensive. In order to truly improve oil yields without simply increasing costs, newer and more efficient ways of extracting oil the first time around is necessary. These cultured organisms are hydrocarbons which are able to withstand extreme environments and free up the existing natural oil, thereby making it easier for the oil to be separated and extracted.
THE FUTURE OF OIL AND GAS TECHNOLOGY
As of yet, microbial additions have been simulated but are not in usage beyond these studies. The next step will be thorough studies of the microbes in action, which may also require passing through environmental regulations and other standards, as they are considered to be chemical additives to the process. Regardless, oil and gas companies are well aware that innovation and improvement are the future of the oil and gas industry. Technologies are increasingly being developed that make extraction faster and more effective, improving upon profits and also reducing any potential environmental consequences.
Microbial additions to existing extraction techniques may quickly become an ideal way to improve upon efficiency without having to significantly alter existing extraction methods. By improving upon yields without significantly improving costs, per barrel extraction prices will be reduced and thus profits can be increased without having to increase the actual prices of oil to the consumer. This is the major goal of modern oil and gas companies, as it will retain the boost to the economy that lowered gas prices has achieved while still fighting off the artificially decreased prices caused by foreign oil. For more information about the oil and gas industry, contact the experts at Heavy Iron Oilfield Services today.
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