Biosynthesis of a Microbial Biosurfactant. Progress Report

摘要

The study of microbial biosurfactants and their application to the viscosity reduction of heavy crude oil originated from a Department of Energy research program addressing the potential use and application of microorganisms and/or their products to enhanced oil recovery. This project resulted in the selection of a microorganism which produced an extracellular biosurfactant with significant chemical and physical properties as related to the rheological modification of heavy crude oils. Current studies are directed to the application of this biosurfactant for the displacement of in-place oil and pipelining and transportation of heavy oil. Little knowledge has been developed into the genetics, physiology or biochemistry of this microorganism in relation to biosurfactant production. Such information becomes essential before development of scale-up technology and possible commercialization of a new bioproduct with broad-based application to enhanced oil recovery technology as well as other applications requiring surface-active products. (ERA citation 09:023578)