Biofilm Seabed Solidification for Hydrocarbon Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrocarbon recovery methods require the continuous injection of multiple types of microorganisms to produce carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate for ground solidification, which can be costly and inefficient, and may necessitate external introduction of microorganisms if they are not present in the seabed.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing microorganisms capable of producing a biological membrane and having urease activity to precipitate calcium carbonate through urea decomposition, the method involves injecting a culture medium and urea to proliferate these microorganisms, forming a biological membrane and calcium carbonate to solidify the seabed, thereby preventing soil and sand from entering the production well.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple types of microorganisms are continuously injected to produce carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate for ground solidification, then ground solidification is achieved, but the cost and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground solidificationVSAvoidmicroorganism injection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple microorganism types into a single microorganism that simultaneously produces both biological membrane and carbon dioxide. This merging eliminates the need for separate injections of different microorganism cultures, reducing operational complexity while maintaining ground solidification effectiveness through the integrated microbial agent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single microorganism is designed to perform multiple functions: producing biological membrane for ground stabilization, generating carbon dioxide for calcium carbonate precipitation, and facilitating ground solidification. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized microorganism strains, simplifying the injection process and reducing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If external microorganisms are introduced when not present in the seabed, then ground solidification can be achieved, but the cost and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground solidificationVSAvoidmicroorganism introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a microorganism that can be introduced once and will autonomously perform all necessary functions for ground solidification without requiring continuous external intervention. The self-service capability allows the introduced microorganism to naturally produce biological membrane and carbon dioxide, eliminating the need for ongoing external microorganism introduction and reducing operational difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If continuous injection of composition is performed until ground solidifies, then ground solidification is achieved, but the duration of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground solidificationVSAvoidinjection operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the microorganism in a preparatory state that enables it to immediately begin producing biological membrane and carbon dioxide upon introduction. This preliminary preparation allows the ground solidification process to start without requiring continuous injection throughout the entire solidification period, reducing the duration of active injection operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the need for multiple microorganism types, decreases the amount of culture media required, and minimizes environmental damage by using a biological membrane alongside calcium carbonate for solidification, enhancing recovery efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

microorganisms capable of producing a biological membrane and having urease activity. The present inventors have found that the microorganisms capable of producing the biological membrane and having urease activity can cause calcium ions to precipitate as calcium carbonate through the decomposition of urea by the urease activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUrease activity: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

decomposition of urea by the urease activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition of urea: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

cause calcium ions to precipitate as calcium carbonate through the decomposition of urea

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation of calcium carbonate: Precipitation

Implementation Method 4

microorganisms capable of producing a biological membrane. Type 1 microorganisms that produce a biological membrane (biofilm)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological membrane production: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250270439A1Ground property adjustment method and hydrocarbon recovery method using the same

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 JAPAN ORG FOR METALS & ENERGY SECURITY

AI summary

A ground property adjustment method characterized by: solidifying the ground by proliferating microorganisms, in the ground, that are capable of producing a biological membrane (biofilm), have urease activity, and can cause calcium ions to precipitate as calcium carbonate through decomposition of urea by the urease activity. Microorganisms may precipitate calcium carbonate on the surface of a biological membrane by incorporating carbon dioxide in the environment.