Altering the interface of hydrocarbon-coated surfaces

摘要

Methods and compositions are provided wherein microorganisms are used to alter the interface of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon-coated surfaces to increase oil recovery, for improved bioremediation and/or pipeline maintenance.

主权项

1. A method for altering the wettability of a hydrocarbon coated surface comprising:
a) providing a hydrocarbon-coated surface; b) providing a medium selected from the group consisting of:
i) a cell containing medium comprising one or more isolated Shewanella sp.; andii) a conditioned medium which is substantially cell free and which has been in contact with one or more isolated Shewanella sp.;wherein the Shewanella sp. comprise a 16S rDNA having at least 99% identity to the 16S rDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; c) contacting said hydrocarbon-coated surface with the medium of b) by a process comprising pumping water comprising the medium into a subsurface, wherein the medium alters the wettability of said hydrocarbon-coated surface.