Microbial enhanced oil recovery methods utilizing a microorganism that is deficient in its ability to degrade short chain hydrocarbons
AssigneeGeo Fossil Fuels, LLC
InventorWilliam J. Kohr
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Abstract
Aspects of the invention include methods and compositions for microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). In particular, the invention focuses on new, efficient, economical and environmentally safe microbial methods to enhance oil recovery in existing oil reservoirs, as well as microorganisms useful in such methods.
Claims16
A method of making a genetically engineered microorganism deficient in its ability to degrade short chain hydrocarbons of 12 carbons or less, comprising deleting, mutating or downregulating in an obligate halophile host microorganism able to grow in a salinity of about 5% or higher one or more genes that code for alkane hydroxylase enzymes capable of degrading said short chain hydrocarbons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.