Up to what temperature is the Titan Process effective?
The microbes that the Titan Process uses are already in the reservoir. They live in whatever temperature the reservoir has currently. Extensive tests show that biological life exists in reservoirs up to 264°F (120°C). The present theoretical limit is about 330°F (150°C). Fifteen years ago, it was thought that the theoretical limit was 154°F (70°C). In the final analysis, the effectiveness depends on the specific microbes which are actually present in the reservoir at reservoir conditions. This must be determined by laboratory analysis by the Titan technical team. As a general comment, higher temperatures can cause a reduction in the microbe populations.
The microbes that the Titan Process uses are already surviving in the conditions of the oil reservoir. There is no need for the microbes to adapt to the reservoir conditions since the microbes are not transported from the surface to the reservoir as with other past microbial processes. That being said, microbes cannot generally survive extremely high temperatures. Titan has had successful treatments at 190° F (88°C). At present, this temperature is considered to be at the high-end of the temperature range, but laboratory analysis provides the only definitive answer. Since there is a relationship between reservoir depth and temperature, the current upper limits would indicate a current qualitative treatment depth limitation of between 6500 ft and 7000 ft. This is a fertile ground for extending the treatment limits since nature has a knack for species adaptation in extreme environments. For Titan, laboratory analysis is the key.
