How It Works
The Hunting PLC OOR Process
Mobilizing resident microbes to increase recoverable reserves and extend field life.
Nutrient Injection
Targeted Treatment
The process begins by injecting a specifically designed nutrient treatment into the reservoir along with the injection water.
Microbial Growth
Exponential Microbial Growth
These nutrients allow targeted, resident microbes—already present in the rock—to multiply rapidly through exponential growth and division.
Adaptation
Morphology Change
Triggered by nutrient limitation, the microbes adapt their cell walls from hydrophilic (water-loving) to hydrophobic (water-repelling).
Mechanism
Micro-Droplet Formation
The microbes surround the oil, changing interfacial tension. Large oil droplets break apart into smaller "micro-droplets," drastically improving mobility.
Result
Increased Oil Production
These micro-droplets flow easily through the reservoir, decreasing water cut and significantly increasing oil production rates.
Implementation Procedure
From field review to full-field deployment.
OOR is implemented through a staged technical workflow, beginning with data screening and ending with a field-wide treatment plan based on pilot results.
-
01
Field Data Analysis
Production history, reservoir data, water handling, and operating conditions are reviewed using screening algorithms to determine whether the field is an acceptable OOR candidate.
-
02
Water Sampling & Lab Development
A field water sampling kit is issued, samples are sent to the laboratory, and the nutrient formulation is developed for the specific field chemistry and resident microbial population.
-
03
Pilot Recommendation
Laboratory results drive a pilot plan, including the recommended treatment method, expected production uplift, and whether the best starting point is Huff & Puff or an injector-based pilot.
-
04
Full-Field Implementation
Pilot results are reviewed, treatment parameters are refined, and the program is scaled into a full-field implementation plan.