Application of microbes for recovery of residual crude petroleum

This paper reviews the mechanisms of oil release and the use of microbes and their metabolic products to enhance oil recovery. Alteration of oil/rock/water interfacial tensions properties and changes in flow behaviour assist the enhancement of oil recovery. Oil recovery can be improved by injecting gases and solvents or by stimulating their production by reservoir microflora in situ for reservoir repressurization and carbonate rock dissolution.