Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field Application
Linear and crosslinked polymers are commonly used in the oil and gas industry. Guar-derived polymers have been extensively utilized in hydraulic fracturing processes, and recently polyacrylamide and cellulose-based polymers have also found utility. As these polymers are used during various phases of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1871 |
| _version_ | 1797503108202364928 |
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| author | Carolina Berdugo-Clavijo Gabrielle Scheffer Arindom Sen Lisa M. Gieg |
| author_facet | Carolina Berdugo-Clavijo Gabrielle Scheffer Arindom Sen Lisa M. Gieg |
| author_sort | Carolina Berdugo-Clavijo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Linear and crosslinked polymers are commonly used in the oil and gas industry. Guar-derived polymers have been extensively utilized in hydraulic fracturing processes, and recently polyacrylamide and cellulose-based polymers have also found utility. As these polymers are used during various phases of the hydraulic fracturing process, they can accumulate at formation fracture faces, resulting in undesired filter cakes that impede oil and gas recovery. Although acids and chemical oxidizers are often added in the fracturing fluids to degrade or ‘break’ polymer filter cakes, the constant use of these chemicals can be hazardous and can result in formation damage and corrosion of infrastructure. Alternately, the use of enzymes is an attractive and environmentally friendly technology that can be used to treat polymer accumulations. While guar-linkage-specific enzyme breakers isolated from bacteria have been shown to successfully cleave guar-based polymers and decrease their molecular weight and viscosity at reservoir conditions, new enzymes that target a broader range of polymers currently used in hydraulic fracturing operations still require research and development for effective application. This review article describes the current state-of-knowledge on the mechanisms and enzymes involved in biodegradation of guar gum, polyacrylamide (and hydrolyzed polyacrylamide), and carboxymethyl cellulose polymers. In addition, advantages and challenges in the development and application of enzyme breaker technologies are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:45:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-52660191d3714e74b339506cd18e1ec2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:45:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-52660191d3714e74b339506cd18e1ec22023-11-23T09:07:29ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-05-01149187110.3390/polym14091871Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field ApplicationCarolina Berdugo-Clavijo0Gabrielle Scheffer1Arindom Sen2Lisa M. Gieg3Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaLinear and crosslinked polymers are commonly used in the oil and gas industry. Guar-derived polymers have been extensively utilized in hydraulic fracturing processes, and recently polyacrylamide and cellulose-based polymers have also found utility. As these polymers are used during various phases of the hydraulic fracturing process, they can accumulate at formation fracture faces, resulting in undesired filter cakes that impede oil and gas recovery. Although acids and chemical oxidizers are often added in the fracturing fluids to degrade or ‘break’ polymer filter cakes, the constant use of these chemicals can be hazardous and can result in formation damage and corrosion of infrastructure. Alternately, the use of enzymes is an attractive and environmentally friendly technology that can be used to treat polymer accumulations. While guar-linkage-specific enzyme breakers isolated from bacteria have been shown to successfully cleave guar-based polymers and decrease their molecular weight and viscosity at reservoir conditions, new enzymes that target a broader range of polymers currently used in hydraulic fracturing operations still require research and development for effective application. This review article describes the current state-of-knowledge on the mechanisms and enzymes involved in biodegradation of guar gum, polyacrylamide (and hydrolyzed polyacrylamide), and carboxymethyl cellulose polymers. In addition, advantages and challenges in the development and application of enzyme breaker technologies are discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1871polymerbiodegradationenzyme biotechnologypolyacrylamide (PAM)carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)guar |
| spellingShingle | Carolina Berdugo-Clavijo Gabrielle Scheffer Arindom Sen Lisa M. Gieg Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field Application Polymers polymer biodegradation enzyme biotechnology polyacrylamide (PAM) carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) guar |
| title | Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field Application |
| title_full | Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field Application |
| title_fullStr | Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field Application |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field Application |
| title_short | Biodegradation of Polymers Used in Oil and Gas Operations: Towards Enzyme Biotechnology Development and Field Application |
| title_sort | biodegradation of polymers used in oil and gas operations towards enzyme biotechnology development and field application |
| topic | polymer biodegradation enzyme biotechnology polyacrylamide (PAM) carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) guar |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1871 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carolinaberdugoclavijo biodegradationofpolymersusedinoilandgasoperationstowardsenzymebiotechnologydevelopmentandfieldapplication AT gabriellescheffer biodegradationofpolymersusedinoilandgasoperationstowardsenzymebiotechnologydevelopmentandfieldapplication AT arindomsen biodegradationofpolymersusedinoilandgasoperationstowardsenzymebiotechnologydevelopmentandfieldapplication AT lisamgieg biodegradationofpolymersusedinoilandgasoperationstowardsenzymebiotechnologydevelopmentandfieldapplication |