The MEOR process is not to be confused with remedial well stimulation. MEOR requires continuous product injection to insure volumetric efficiency and to qualify for tax credits and tax reductions.

How MEOR Works

Introducing tailored microbial products into the reservoir can improve sweep efficiency by releasing oil remaining in low permeability areas. The microbes are self motile and are able to move into spaces that pressure driven products can not. The microbes may be injected with the makeup water at the pump or by batch treating water in the collection battery.

Biosurfactants produced by the organisms result in the reduction of interfacial surface tension of the oil/water bond.
Organic and inorganic acid production, by microbes, will dissolve carbonate deposits, FeS, and dissolution of sulfate minerals.
The production of gases will further aid in the replacement of oil in the pore spaces.

MEOR differs from chemical EOR in the method of how the enhancing products are introduced into the reservoir. Microbes produce the necessary chemicals “in situ”; whereas surface injected chemicals may tend to follow areas of higher permeability, resulting in decreased sweep efficiency.

Where MEOR Helps

Microbial products used in an MEOR project provide relief for these common mature reservoir problems:

Declining injectivity
Declining well productivity
Reduced hydrocarbon recovery

Where MEOR adds Value

MEOR improves project economics by:

Increasing Oil Recovery
Increasing Gas Production
Qualifying for a 15% Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Reducing Production Severance Tax by 50% (Texas, NM)

The cost of the microbial products, for MEOR, can be offset by the tax credits and reductions mentioned above.

For more information and a custom MEOR cost estimate or to see if this process is right for your reservoir, give us a call.

How Circle T Sales Can Help

Circle T Sales is available to assist operators with upgrading primary, or secondary recovery reservoir projects to an MEOR project. The filing of the H12 may be done by Circle T upon customers request.. Circle T Sales has retained services in reservoir engineering, accounting (CPA), and a sales manager. In addition to our own in-house testing, we have access to research laboratories, and registered professional microbiologists and chemists for oil/water/gas analysis.

All microbial products used by Circle T Sales are non-pathogenic, (harmless to plants, animals, or water supplies) are produced in a nutrient rich aqueous solution, and do not require special handling. MSD sheets are available on all products though not required by regulatory agencies.