Reservoir Microbiology Forum (RMF)

Event

13/11/2024 - 14/11/2024

61 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 7AR, UK

Non-Member: £499.00 (excl. VAT)
Member: £299.00 (excl. VAT)

To register for this event, please log in to the website or create an account.

The RMF is an excellent multi-disciplinary platform that brings together oil producers, scientists, technologists, engineers, academics, and researchers from around the world to present, share, and discuss the widespread and versatile effects of microbes in oil reservoirs. 

This respected forum provides a highly technical programme featuring the latest research and guidance on reservoir microbiology in oil fields, including biodegradation, bioremediation, and applications for oil recovery and enhancement.

Following Wednesday's conference, a drinks reception will be held from 17:45-18:30, after which the dinner will take place at Pontis, Oxford Circus, from 19:15 – 22:00. Dinner includes a three-course meal with wine and is the ideal place to continue networking - but early booking is advised, as the dinner places are capped at 50. 

Day 1: Wednesday 15 November | Forum, Drinks Reception and Dinner
08:30 - 17:40 GMT

08:30 - Registration and networking

09:00 - RMF 2024 opening remarks from the chair 
Dr Anthony Mitchell, Commercial Lead, Equinor

09:10 - Keynote presentation: Microbiological considerations for geological CO2 storage 
Professor Sophie Nixon, Professor of Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology, University of Manchester

09:45 - Session 1 introduction: Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion 
Dr Anthony Mitchell, Commercial Lead, Equinor

09:50 - Microbial corrosion under thermophilic conditions 
Dr Mohor Chatterjee, Materials Engineer, ExxonMobil

10:15 - Multiple lines of evidence (MLOE) into the effects of produced water re-Injection (PWRI) practices on MIC-implicated sulfidogenesis and microbial community dynamics 
Dr Mohammed Sindi, Senior Scientist, Saudi Aramco

10:40 - Break

11:05 - Electrochemical assessment of MIC risk of metabolically different biofilms and response to chemical treatment 
Dr Francisco Massello, Postdoctoral researcher, Y-TEC

11:30 - Title pending

11:55 - Panel | Participants TBC

12:15 - Lunch break

13:15 - Session 2 introduction: Microbiological aspects of hydrogen and CO2 transport and storage 
Dr Paul Evans, Staff Research Scientist, Chevron Professor
Ian Head, Dean of Research & Innovation, Newcastle University

13:20 - HyLife - holistic understanding of microbial risks within European hydrogen underground storage 
Dr Annie Biwen An Stepec, Senior Researcher, Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE)

13:45 - Improving our understanding of microbial methanogenesis within CO2 storage reservoirs 
Dr Rebecca Tyne, Research Fellow, University of Manchester

14:10 - The effect of high concentrations of hydrogen on microbially influenced corrosion 
Dr James Dykstra, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

14:35 - Break

14:55 - Biotransformation processes relevant to CO2 transport and storage 
Dr Trent Key, Environmental Scientist, ExxonMobil

15:20 - Subsurface hydrogen production: extracting energy from unextractable fossil fuels 
Zach Broussard, Chief Technology Officer, Gold H2

15:45 - Role of thermodynamics and transport on controlling microbial activity in underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns 
Ali Mahmoodi, Researcher, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Offshore

16:10 - Break

16:30 - Panel | Participants TBC

16:50 - Poster presentations

17:35 - Day 1 closing remarks

17:45 - Drinks reception at the Energy Institute

19:00 - Reservoir Microbiology Forum 2024 Dinner at Ponti’s Italian Kitchen

Day 2: Thursday 16 November | Forum only
08:30 - 17:00 GMT

08:30 - Registration and networking

09:00 - Day 2 opening remarks from the chair 
Dr Bart Lomans, Principal Researcher, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

09:10 - Keynote presentation: 30 years of RMF - Where have we been and where are we going? 
Dr Anthony Mitchell, Commercial Lead, Equinor

09:45 - Session 3 introduction: Technology in subsurface microbiology 
Dr Bart Lomans, Principal Researcher, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

09:50 - Enhancing microbial sampling from high-pressure systems 
Dr Georg Schmid, General Manager, Microbify

10:15 - Organic Oil Recovery (OOR) used in the North Sea and Oman to improve oil recovery and decrease hydrogen sulphide activity 
Dr Colin Hill, Chief Scientist, Titan Oil Recovery

10:40 Experimental study of enzyme modified calcium carbonate precipitation as a sand control technique 
Manar AlAhmari, Petroleum Scientist, Saudi Aramco

11:05 - Break

11:25 - Panel | Participants TBC

11:45 - Session 4 introduction: Microbial souring 
Dr Kenneth Wunch, Energy Technology fellow, Materials Protection, Lanxess

11:50 - Produced water storage pond microbiome and its response to topsides nitrate addition for souring control
Professor Casey Hubert, Professor, Geogenomics

12:15 - Lunch break

13:15 - A systematic evaluation of alternative souring mitigation methods 
Dr Xiang (Sean) Shi, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

13:40 - New Energy, old problems - microbial issues and mitigation in geothermal wells 
Dr Renato De Paula, Business Development Manager & Technical Lead Advisor, Biocides, Syensqo

14:05 - Title pending 

14:30 - Session 5 introduction: Microbial monitoring and control
Dr Renato De Paula, Business Development Manager & Technical Lead Advisor, Biocides, Syensqo

14:35 - Optimising coastal bioremediation: Analysing environmental impact for enhanced microbial degradation of crude oil 
Turan Mutallimov, PhD Candidate, University of Aberdeen

15:00 - Bacteria in hydraulic fracturing: impacts of water and microbiology on unconventional operations 
Dr David Leach, Lead Research Scientist, Chevron

15:25 - Break

15:45 - Measuring and controlling microorganisms in offshore process systems: The reality of microbiological sampling on offshore installations 
Dr Heike Hoffman, Researcher, Intertek-Commercial Microbiology

16:10 - Potential implications of microbial survival mechanisms in the oil and gas industry, biocide use and resistance development 
Dr Selina Bibiana Inocencia Schmidt, Project Engineer, SLB

16:35 - Panel | Participants TBC

16:55 - RMF 2024 closing remarks from the chair 
Dr Paul Evans, Staff Research Scientist, Chevron

Speakers

Dr Selina Bibiana Inocencia Schmidt, Project Engineer, SLB

Dr Selina Bibiana Inocencia Schmidt, Project Engineer, SLB

Dr Heike Hoffman, Researcher, Intertek-Commercial Microbiology

Dr Heike Hoffman, Researcher, Intertek-Commercial Microbiology

Dr David Leach, Lead Research Scientist, Chevron

Dr David Leach, Lead Research Scientist, Chevron

Turan Mutallimov, PhD Candidate, University of Aberdeen

Turan Mutallimov, PhD Candidate, University of Aberdeen

Dr Renato De Paula, Business Development Manager & Technical Lead Advisor, Biocides, Syensqo

Dr Renato De Paula, Business Development Manager & Technical Lead Advisor, Biocides, Syensqo

Dr Xiang (Sean) Shi, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

Dr Xiang (Sean) Shi, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

Professor Casey Hubert, Professor, Geogenomics

Professor Casey Hubert, Professor, Geogenomics

Dr Kenneth Wunch, Energy Technology fellow, Materials Protection, Lanxess

Dr Kenneth Wunch, Energy Technology fellow, Materials Protection, Lanxess

Manar AlAhmari, Petroleum Scientist, Saudi Aramco

Manar AlAhmari, Petroleum Scientist, Saudi Aramco

Dr Colin Hill, Chief Scientist, Titan Oil Recovery

Dr Colin Hill, Chief Scientist, Titan Oil Recovery

Dr Georg Schmid, General Manager, Microbify

Dr Georg Schmid, General Manager, Microbify

Ali Mahmoodi, Researcher, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Offshore

Ali Mahmoodi, Researcher, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Offshore

Zach Broussard, Chief Technology Officer, Gold H2

Zach Broussard, Chief Technology Officer, Gold H2

Dr Trent Key, Environmental Scientist, ExxonMobil

Dr Trent Key, Environmental Scientist, ExxonMobil

Dr James Dykstra, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

Dr James Dykstra, Upstream Microbiologist, Shell

Dr Ian Head, Dean of Research & Innovation, Newcastle University

Dr Ian Head, Dean of Research & Innovation, Newcastle University

Dr Francisco Massello, Postdoctoral researcher, Y-TEC

Dr Francisco Massello, Postdoctoral researcher, Y-TEC

Dr Mohammed Sindi AMEI, Senior Scientist, Saudi Aramco

Dr Mohammed Sindi AMEI, Senior Scientist, Saudi Aramco

Dr Mohor Chatterjee, Materials Engineer, ExxonMobil

Dr Mohor Chatterjee, Materials Engineer, ExxonMobil

Professor Sophie Nixon, Professor of Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology, University of Manch

Professor Sophie Nixon, Professor of Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology, University of Manch

Dr Anthony Mitchell FEI, Commercial Lead, Equinor

Dr Anthony Mitchell FEI, Commercial Lead, Equinor


Topics explored:

  • General Subsurface Microbiology
  • Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (fundamentals, mitigation strategies, modelling, and prediction)
  • Reservoir Souring (fundamentals, mitigation strategies, modelling, and prediction)
  • Microbial Control (fundamentals, mitigation strategies, modelling, and prediction)
  • Microbial and Chemical Monitoring
  • Produced Water Management
  • Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery and Microbial Upgrading
  • Reservoir, Fluid and Biofilm Modelling
  • Microbiology of Hydraulic Fracturing
  • Microbiological aspects of Hydrogen and CO2 Transport and Storage
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Role of microbiology in low carbon solutions
  • Other

Why should you attend RMF?

  • Increase the visibility of your work
  • Gain recognition for your technical knowledge and experience
  • Raise your company’s profile
  • Support the industry by sharing experiences that will benefit future microbial work

Thank you so very much for all of the incredible work that (goes into) the RMF meeting. Simply excellent in every way, and what a cutting-edge and dynamic group of participants...wow!' - Professor Bruce Fouke, Director, Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Areas of work or research will include:


  • Microbiology and molecular biology
  • Production chemistry and engineering
  • Geochemistry and geophysics
  • Reservoir engineering
  • Material sciences
  • Computer modelling

The informal nature of this event makes it an excellent networking opportunity with delegates from all over the world representing companies, chemical suppliers, research institutes, universities, consultancies and service companies. Students are also encouraged to participate. The hybrid format will provide plenty of opportunities to interact with speakers and delegates, provide question and answer sessions, and access to written materials.


Join the RMF LinkedIn Group — stay in touch with other delegates and professionals in the industry.

Who attends?


As the effects of microbes in oil recovery are very widespread and versatile, this event will be of interest to all professionals and students working on issues resulting from the detrimental or beneficial impacts of microbes in oil recovery.


Registration fees:

  • EI Members - £299 + VAT
  • Non-members - £499 + VAT
  • Speakers (oral and poster) - £199 + VAT
  • Academic staff - £199 + VAT
  • Students - £120 + VAT
  • Dinner fee - £95

Members and non-members can book online. To book at one of the other rates, please contact events@energyinst.org for your promo code.

For discounted hotel rates, please use this link.

About RMF:


This event is run by the Energy Institute (EI) with the support of a small working group within the EI's Microbiology Committee. The current RMF working group members are:


  • Dr Anthony Mitchell, Equinor
  • Dr Bart Lomans, Shell Global Solutions International
  • Dr Carol Devine MEI, NCIMB
  • Dr Kenneth Wunch, Lanxess
  • Professor Ian M. Head, Newcastle University
  • Dr Lisa Gieg, University of Calgary
  • Dr Paul Evans, Chevron
  • Dr Renato De Paula, Solvay Oil & Gas  
  • Dr. Laura Machuca Suarez, Curtin Corrosion Centre

Supporting organisations:


Contact details

Events team: events@energyinst.org

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