Biosurfactant and biopolymer producing microorganisms from West Kazakhstan oilfield.

Microbiological enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) uses indigenous or exogenous microorganisms and nutrients to enhance oil production through synthesis of metabolites reducing oil viscosity and surface tension. In order to find bacteria suitable for MEOR, we studied 26 isolates from wells in the Akingen oilfield in West Kazakhstan. Six of them were selected for further analysis based on their ability to reduce surface tension to less than 40 mN/m, with the A9 isolate exhibiting tension reduction values of 32.76 ± 0.3 mN/m. Based on the morphological features, biochemical activities, and the 16S rRNA gene, the isolates were classified to the Bacillus subtilis group. In the phylogenetic analysis the isolates grouped into two main clusters. Genes encoding the surfactin synthetase subunits were found in A2, A8, A9, A12, PW2, only the PW2 strain had lchAA encoding lichenysin, while sacB encoding levan was noted in A2, A8, A9, and A12. The expression of srfAB, srfAC, and sacB tested with qPCR varied among strains. Nevertheless, whereas temperature moderately affects the expression level, with the highest level recorded at 40 °C, salinity significantly impacts the expression of the genes encoding biosurfactants. B. subtilis strains isolated in the study, especially A9, are promising for microbial-enhanced oil recovery.

Exploring the use of microbial enhanced oil recovery in Kazakhstan: a review.

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a promising method for improving oil recovery from challenging reservoirs such as those found in Kazakhstan. MEOR relies on the activities of microorganisms to modify the properties of the reservoir, such as reducing the oil viscosity, increasing the reservoir permeability, and generating by-products that mobilize the oil. Implementing MEOR in Kazakhstan could lead to significant economic benefits for the country by increasing oil production and royalties from fossil fuel exports. Oil production in Kazakhstan has seen fluctuations in recent years, with 2018 recording a production level of 1.814 million barrels per day. Among regions, Atyrau region contributed the most to oil production with 23.4 million tons of oil. Following Atyrau, the Mangystau region produced 8.2 million tons, and Aktobe produced 2.4 million tons. Overall, the use of MEOR in Kazakhstan's oil fields could offer a promising solution for enhanced oil recovery, while minimizing environmental impact and cost. While specific data on the current use of MEOR in field conditions in Kazakhstan might be limited, the fact that studies are underway suggests a growing interest in applying this technology in the country's oil fields. It is exciting to think about the potential benefits these studies could bring to Kazakhstan's oil industry once their findings are implemented in field operations. These studies have significant implications for Kazakhstan's oil production in the future.

Biotechnology of Microorganisms from Coal Environments: From Environmental Remediation to Energy Production.

It was generally believed that coal sources are not favorable as live-in habitats for microorganisms due to their recalcitrant chemical nature and negligible decomposition. However, accumulating evidence has revealed the presence of diverse microbial groups in coal environments and their significant metabolic role in coal biogeochemical dynamics and ecosystem functioning. The high oxygen content, organic fractions, and lignin-like structures of lower-rank coals may provide effective means for microbial attack, still representing a greatly unexplored frontier in microbiology. Coal degradation/conversion technology by native bacterial and fungal species has great potential in agricultural development, chemical industry production, and environmental rehabilitation. Furthermore, native microalgal species can offer a sustainable energy source and an excellent bioremediation strategy applicable to coal spill/seam waters. Additionally, the measures of the fate of the microbial community would serve as an indicator of restoration progress on post-coal-mining sites. This review puts forward a comprehensive vision of coal biodegradation and bioprocessing by microorganisms native to coal environments for determining their biotechnological potential and possible applications.