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Sustainable Methane production from Petroleum-Produced Water via Indigenous Microbial Consortia Under Reservoir Conditions

Authors

  • Rizwan Younas

    Department of Petroleum Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
    Author

  • Mohd Zaidi bin Jaafar

    Department of Petroleum Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
    Author

  • Shaziera Omar

    Department of Petroleum Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
    Author

  • Muhammad Shahid

    Department of Petroleum Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
    Author

  • Atif Ismail

    Energy Systems Engineering, University of Regina, Canada
    Author

  • Sajid Khan

    Department of Petroleum Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
    Author

  • Ahmed R. ALBajalan

    Department of Petroleum Technology, Erbil Technology College, Erbil Polytechnic University, 44001, Erbil, Iraq
    Author

  • Muftahu N Yahya

    Department of Petroleum Engineering, University Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22581/0469

Keywords:

Microbial Methane Production, Environmental Protection, Petroleum Waste, Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis , Bioenergy From Oilfield Waste, Methanogenic Archaea

Abstract

Petroleum-produced water (PPW) is a byproduct of oil and gas production and is commonly regarded as a waste stream due to its high salinity and associated environmental risks. However, PPW contains indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading and methanogenic microorganisms providing an opportunity for microbial methane production. This study investigates the feasibility of using PPW as a microbial inoculum and nutrient-rich medium for methane production under simulated reservoir conditions. PPW samples collected from depleted reservoirs were subjected to batch incubation experiments over 10-90°C, while maintaining salinity conditions. Two experimental conditions were assessed: (i) PPW inoculated with enriched methanogenic consortia (experimental group) and (ii) PPW without enrichment (control group). After 30 days incubation, the enriched system produced substantial methane, reaching 8-10 mmol CH₄ L⁻¹ culture, STP, whereas the control group showed negligible methane production. Supplementation with H₂/CO₂ significantly enhanced methane production, resulting in approximately three-time higher methane yields and peak production rates of 0.35 mmol L⁻¹ day⁻¹ by day 15 in the experimental group. In contrast, methane production rates in the control group remained minimal throughout incubation. Microbial community analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR revealed enrichment of methanogenic archaea, with mcrA gene copy numbers increasing by three orders of magnitude in the inoculated system. These results demonstrate that PPW can be repurposed to valorize of residual organics and injected CO₂ into methane under reservoir conditions. The proposed approach offers a sustainable pathway for on-site methane production, enhanced gas recovery, and extension of productive life of mature reservoirs, while supporting produced-water reuse and low-carbon energy transition strategies.

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Published

2026-04-01

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 2 (2026): April Issue

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology

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How to Cite

Sustainable Methane production from Petroleum-Produced Water via Indigenous Microbial Consortia Under Reservoir Conditions. (2026). Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 45(2), 37-51. https://doi.org/10.22581/0469

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