Chemical characterization of amendments for microbially enhanced methane generation in subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs

Methane is generated in subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs through thermogenic and biogenic processes. Whereas thermogenic methane occurs through geological processes and time and is largely fixed with respect to production, microbial methanogenesis can be stimulated through the addition of nutrient amendments or bioaugmentation. The U.S. Geological Survey is actively researching the stimulation of microbial methanogenesis through field and laboratory studies. This work aims to chemically characterize potential nutrient amendments for this process.