@article{c5cc780a7d2946af820ca46cf0a3bdb3,
title = "Sulfate-reducing bacteria streamers and iron sulfides abruptly occlude porosity and increase hydraulic resistance in proppant-filled shale fractures",
abstract = "AshaleGeoBioCellmicrofluidic testbed has been used to evaluate the processes by which the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) biofilms and iron sulfide biominerals reduce porosity and increase hydraulic resistance (HR) in hydraulically fractured (fracked) shale reservoirs. These microbe-mineral-water interactions were tracked in real time at 45°C (113°F) within proppant-filled microchannels constructed within Devonian New Albany Shale samples from the Illinois Basin. Metagenomic analyses of the SRBcommunities usedinexperimentation indicate they are composed of Desulfovibrio alaskensis,Aminivibrio sp., and two Synergistaceae sp. The SRB growth and iron sulfide precipitation were trackedwith high-resolution brightfieldmicroscopy and HR measurements. After ∼80-160 hr, exponential increases in HR reached complete clogging after ∼150-230 hr (HR > 0.10 psi/(μl min-1)). Porosity and permeability occlusion was caused by the growth of SRB biofilm streamers encrusted with iron sulfides. Environmental scanning electron microscopy revealed that these large SRB streamers that were hundreds of micrometers in diameter were composed of microbial cells that adhere to each other, attach to proppant surfaces, and extend downstream in and around proppant pore spaces. This indicates that in proppant-filled fracked shales, SRB streamers with iron sulfides readily attach, occlude pore space, and hinder flow. This establishes the shale GeoBioCell as a viable experimental testbed for future determination of the efficacy of microbial biocides and other oil field amendments that are routinely applied to maintain and enhance hydrocarbon production in fracked shale reservoirs.",
author = "Fouke, {Bruce W.} and Bhattacharjee, {Ananda S.} and Fried, {Glenn A.} and Mayandi Sivaguru and Sanford, {Robert A.} and Lang Zhou and Alcalde, {Reinaldo E.} and Kenneth Wunch and Amber Stephenson and Ferrar, {Joseph A.} and Hernandez, {Alvaro Gonzalo} and Chris Wright and Fields, {Christopher J.} and Todorov, {Lauren G.} and Fouke, {Kyle W.} and Bailey, {Cyrus M.} and Werth, {Charles J.}",
note = "This work was supported by a research grant from DuPont Microbial Control. Conclusions in this study are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the funding or permitting agencies. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a representation that any recommendations, use, or resale of the product or processes described herein is permitted and complies with the rules or negotiations of any countries, regions, localities, etc., or does not infringe upon patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties. The information provided herein is based on data DuPont believes to be reliable, to the best of its knowledge, and is provided at the request of and without charge to our customers. Accordingly, DuPont does not guarantee or warrant such information and assumes no liability for its use. If this product literature is translated, the original English version will control and DuPont disclaims responsibility for any errors caused by translation. This document is subject to change without further notice. We gratefully acknowledge the colleagueship, collaborations, and contributions of the entire staff of the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology Microscopy and Imaging Core Facility. We also sincerely thank A. Drobniak at the Indiana Geological Survey; D. C. Willette, S. G. Whittaker, and R. R. Mumm at the Illinois State Geological Survey; as well as A.L.A. Polidore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Authors Bruce W. Fouke, Ananda S. Bhattacharjee, Glenn A. Fried, and Mayandi Sivaguru are recognized as contributing equally to this paper.",
year = "2022",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1306/07132120124",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "106",
pages = "179--208",
journal = "AAPG Bulletin",
issn = "0149-1423",
publisher = "American Association of Petroleum Geologists",
number = "1",
}