Processos naturais de biodegradação do petróleo em reservatórios

Abstract

Petroleum biodegradation in reservoirs is a process caused by different microorganisms affecting many oil deposits which modifies the oil composition in a quasi-stepwise process starting from n-alkanes and isoprenoids through to diasteranes. This causes oil souring and increased viscosity, sulfur and metal content, having a direct impact on oil production and refining costs.

Keywords

• aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms
• petroleum biomarkers
• oil composition