Using biosurfactants in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) yields benefits from an environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspective, according to Creedence Energy Services, which has plans for the compounds in the Williston Basin.

Bakken Shale

“The Williston Basin holds a vast reserve of trapped oil,” said President Kevin Black. “In fact, most experts suggest only 10-15% of oil is being recovered with current technology, so a clean, ESG-friendly technology that enables mobilization of an additional portion would result in a meaningful increase to the estimated ultimate recovery of Bakken wells.”

The U.S. Geological Survey recently estimated the Williston Basin’s Bakken and Three Forks formations within Montana and North Dakota hold estimated, undiscovered unconventional reserves...