Adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Kansas oil fields for use in tertiary oil recovery

Over half of the oil reservoirs in the United States are considered “empty” although they still contain approximately 50% of their potential yield (Exxon Corporation, 1983). Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces a rhamnolipid biosurfactant extracellularly that can drive this trapped oil from crevices into openings that can be easily pumped. This tertiary method of oil recovery is currently being used in Venezuela, but has not been proven to work in Kansas. This bacterial strain has adapted to survive in Venezuelan oil reservoirs. This research will prove that this strain will adapt to conditions (pH and temperature) that are prevalent in Kansas oil reservoirs. The environment for the research was a petri dish and a test tube with a nutrient agar amended to a specific pH and then placed at various temperatures. Typical deviations from these conditions and growth were analyzed. The results will show that the bacteria continued to grow and thus adapt to the new conditions. This proves that this bacterial strain would survive and be able to produce its biosurfactant in Kansas oil fields.