Microbial Community Variations  Within Defined Zones of an Oil Sand Reservoir
Microbial Community Variations  Within Defined Zones of an Oil Sand Reservoir
7 subsamples were obtained from an oil sand core, drilled at a Northern Alberta reservoir, in February 2008, in December 2010.  The core was maintained at a frozen core storage facility.   Core depths analyzed in this study were from varied regions within 599 to 622 meters below surface (mbs).  A previous study of this core provided comprehensive data on the physical properties and geochemical characteristics from 595 to 625 mbs.  Preliminary microbial studies had indicated potential zones of high cell counts, which seemed to concentrate within the oil-water contact zone (OWC) and transition zone (TZ).  This study aimed to provide a more in depth analysis of actual microbial classes and genera which may be represented in some of these zones and to determine if areas of geochemical changes could be correlated to predominant microbial classes or genera. This research was supported by funding from Genome Canada, Genome Alberta, the Government of Alberta and Genome BC.
Subsamples of an oil sand core from a Northern Alberta reservoir were studied using metagenomic analyses.  The observed microbial communities present at selected depths within this oil sand core are compared to the related geochemical and physical data.  This will provide insight as to potential microbial activity within reservoir zones and the effect on characteristics of the reservoir.