Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus isolated from North Sea oil field reservoir water

Article Abstract:

The Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus strain ST22 isolated from water in an oil field reservoir in the North Sea uses H2-CO2 as its sole carbon and energy source. The bacteria grow between 17 and 62 degrees centigrade (C) and between pH 4.9 and 9.8. Optimum growth occurs at 60 degrees C and a pH of 5.1 to 5.9. The bacteria require small amounts of trace elements for growth and are unaffected by crude oil. The bacteria metabolize H2-CO2 and formate. The ST22 strains are regular or irregular coccoids with many flagella. They are gram negative and undergo lysis in hypertonic solutions.

Natural history, Bacterial growth, Methanobacteriaceae, Methanogens, North Sea

Distribution of thermophilic marine sulfate reducers in North Sea oil field waters and oil reservoirs

Article Abstract:

Enrichment cultures and genus-specific fluorescent antibodies are grown on the genera Archaeglobus, Desulfotomaculum and Thermodesulforhabdus to study the distribution of thermophilic marine sulfate reducers in North Sea oil field waters and oil reservoirs. Results suggest that thermophilic and hyperthermophilic sulfate reducers are indigenous to North Sea oil field reservoirs and that they belong to a deep subterranean biosphere.

Aquatic microbiology, Water, Underground, Groundwater, Marine microbiology

Penetration of sulfate reducers through a porous North Sea Oil Reservoir

Article Abstract:

A study of Norwegian platforms oil between 1990 to 1994 shows the presence of the mesophilic bacteria strain 4502 in the reservoir, injection water system and production well. The bacteria is benzoate-degrading and sulfate-reducing. It produces hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the reservoir. The results of the study shows that sulfate-reducing bacteria can penetrate different parts of the oil reservoir and contribute to H2S formation.

Analysis, Observations, Petroleum, Petroleum reserves, Sulfur bacteria, Microbial contamination