US 6,543,535 B2 · Process for stimulating microbial activity in a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean formation

Abstract

A process is disclosed for stimulating the activity of microbial consortia in a subterranean formation to convert hydrocarbons to methane, which can be produced. Fluid and rock of the formation are analyzed. The presence of microbial consortia is determined and a characterization made (preferably genetic) of at least one microorganism of the consortia, at least one being a methanogenic microorganism. The characterization is compared with at least one known characterization derived from a known microorganism having one or more known physiological and ecological characteristics. This information, together with the information obtained from the analysis of the fluid and rock, is used to determine an ecological environment that promotes in situ microbial degradation of formation hydrocarbons and promotes microbial generation of methane by at least one methanogenic microorganism of the consortia. This information is then used as the basis for modifying the formation environment to produce methane.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A process of stimulating the activity of microbial consortia in a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean formation to convert the hydrocarbons to methane, comprising the acts of:

(a) analyzing one or more components of the formation to determine characteristics of the formation environment;
(b) detecting the presence of microbial consortia within the formation;
(c) determining one or more characterizations of one or more microorganisms of the consortia, at least one of the characterizations being of at least one methanogenic microorganism, and comparing the one or more characterizations with at least one known characterization derived from at least one known microorganism having one or more known physiological and ecological characteristics;
(d) using information obtained from acts (a) and (c) for determining an ecological environment that promotes in situ microbial degradation of hydrocarbons and promotes microbial generation of methane by at least one methanogenic microorganism of the consortia;
and
(e) modifying the formation environment based on the determinations of act (d) to stimulate microbial conversion of hydrocarbons to methane.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Process for stimulating microbial activity in a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean formation

Life of this patent

Process for stimulating microbial activity in a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean formation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37