Bacterial Diversity of Omani Oil Wells Using Culture Dependent and Independent Techniques

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is one of the potential methods for extending the life of declining reservoir. Microbial consortia from Al-Wusta region, Sultanate of Oman were studied using culture dependant and independent methods. Microbial consortia from formation water samples were isolated using enrichment culture and identified using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Different microbial consortia were detected from oil wells and water collection and redistribution station. A total of 33 genera and 58 species were identified and all the identified microbes were first report in Omani oil fields. Most of those identified microorganisms were found to be anaerobic, thermophilic and halophilic, which have been reported as favourable candidates for in-situ MEOR applications.