MEOR Outcomes
So far, the outcomes of MEOR are explained based on two predominant rationales:
Increment in oil production. This is done by modifying the interfacial properties of the system oil-water-minerals, with the aim of facilitating oil movement through porous media. In such a system, microbial activity affects fluidity (viscosity reduction, miscible flooding); displacement efficiency (decrease of interfacial tension, increase of permeability); sweep efficiency (mobility control, selective plugging) and driving force (reservoir pressure).
Upgrading. In this case, microbial activity acts may promote the degradation of heavy oils into lighter ones. Alternatively, it can promote desulphurization due to denitrification as well as the removal of heavy metals.
Read more about this topic: Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery