Fast degradation and viscosity reduction of waxy crude oil and model waxy crude oil using Bacillus subtilis

• Utilization of Bacillus subtilis for waxy crude oil degradation.
• Investigation on the degradation of crude oil at various temperatures.
• Comparison of degradation capabilities using waxy crude oil with model crude oil.
• Observed more than 95% of degradation of crude oil in 15 days.
• Viscosity reduction of crude oil with various temperatures were also analyzed.

Microbial degradation of waxy crude oil provides efficient, economical and environment friendly solution to enhance the waxy crude oil production from mature brownfield crude oil reservoirs, addressing flow assurance challenges during transportation, and on-shore and off-shore oil-spill remedies. This study systematically investigates the utilization of thermophilic Bacillus subtilis for the degradation of waxy crude oil obtained from the oilfield and model crude oil prepared by various higher molecular weight waxes suitable for high temperature applications. The influence of microorganism to improve the flow behavior of waxy crude oil has been analyzed by means of viscosity and compositional degradation. The degradation and reduction in the viscosity of crude oil at various temperatures have been analyzed. More than 95% of degradation has been observed in 15 days for both the crude oil samples at 50 °C. The simple nutrient and microorganism combination and the high activity of enzymes aided to get utmost and faster degradation of the crude oil. This study will be useful to employ the thermophilic bacteria for various oilfield applications.

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