Process for recovery and mobilization of oil contained in porous media by tensoactive biomolecules produced by Serratia marcescens SmSA

Abstract

The present invention is related with a biotechnological process that increases the recovery and mobilization of oils present in carbonated and/or siliciclastic porous media by the action of tensoactive biomolecules from Serratia marcescens SmSA. The invention also increases the oil recovery in reservoirs. Serratia marcescens SmSA biomolecules display tensoactive and emulsifying properties that produce changes in the surface and interfacial tensions, enhanced the recovery and mobilization of oils. The Serratia marcescens SmSA tensoactive biomolecules of the present invention are stable at temperatures from 4 to 121° C., pH from 2 to 12, pressures from atmospheric to 1,706 psi, and NaCl content from 0 to 200 g/L (from 0 to 200,000 ppm). The Serratia marcescens SmSA tensoactive biomolecules reduce the surface tension up to 26 mN/m, the interfacial tension up to 1.8 mN/m with hexadecane, with emulsifying activity up to 71% with the same solvent and a critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 300 mg/L. The Serratia marcescens SmSA tensoactive biomolecules enhance recovery of residual oil above 10%.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.