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Biotechnology in Enhanced Petroleum Oil Recovery

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Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry

Part of the book series: Soil Biology ((SOILBIOL,volume 39))

Abstract

Significant challenges are being posed in the twenty-first century for meeting global energy needs. Crude oil and natural gas are expected to remain at the forefront of our energy economy for the foreseeable future, as an expanding world population requires constant and reliable energy supply for the sustainable economic growth. Microorganisms are potential key players in the energy industry, and the microbial biotechnology has the potential in transforming the petroleum industry through the development of strategies for more efficient oil and fuel production. Interest in biotechnological methods using microorganisms and their product in petroleum industry has continuously increased during last two decades. Microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) and biodemulsification methods rely on microorganisms or their metabolic products such as solvents, polymers, organic acids, and surfactants to recover residual oil during petroleum exploration and production.

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Correspondence to Ajay Singh .

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Singh, A., Parmar, N., Ward, O. (2014). Biotechnology in Enhanced Petroleum Oil Recovery. In: Parmar, N., Singh, A. (eds) Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry. Soil Biology, vol 39. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41837-2_12

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