System and method for preparing near-surface heavy oil for extraction using microbial degradation

An analytical processing system for enhancing the recovery of heavy oil in an oil extraction environment, comprising:

• a data collection engine configured for receiving data relating to the oil extraction environment, wherein the data includes microbial species data, oil properties data and nutrient information that are identified as being germane to the oil extraction environment;
• a data warehouse for storing data collected from the data collection engine;
• and
• a data modeling system for analyzing data stored in the data warehouse and facilitating an identity of a preferred microbial species from the oil extraction environment that can transform the heavy oil into a lighter oil.

A computer program product stored on a computer usable medium for enhancing the recovery of heavy oil in an oil extraction environment, comprising:

• program code configured for receiving data relating to the oil extraction environment, wherein the data includes microbial species data, fluid properties data and nutrient information that are identified as being germane to the oil extraction environment;
• program code configured for storing the received data in a data warehouse;
• and
• program code configured for analyzing data stored in the data warehouse and facilitating an identity of a preferred microbial species from the oil extraction environment that can transform the heavy oil into a lighter oil.

A method for implementing an application for enhancing the recovery of heavy oil in an oil extraction environment, comprising:

• providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:
• receive data relating to the oil extraction environment, wherein the data includes microbial species data, oil properties data and nutrient information that are identified as being germane to the oil extraction environment;
• store the received data in a data warehouse;
• and
• analyze data stored in the data warehouse to facilitate an identity of a preferred microbial species from the oil extraction environment that can transform the heavy oil into a lighter oil.