Fact Sheet - Bioremediation | May 29, 2012
Bioremediation Program
In The Context of Crude Oil Production
Bioremediation methods are organic and have been proven safe
as well as effective for cleaning the crude oil-exposed soil, and
have been used in various industrial application.
What is Bioremediation
Bioremediation refers to any process that uses
microorganisms or enzymes produced by microorganisms
to clean or neutralize chemicals and waste safely.
Bioremediation methods are organic have been proven
safe and effective for cleaning soil soaked with crude oil,
resulting from oil and gas exploration and production. In
addition to oil and gas exploration, bioremediation has been
used in various industrial applications, e.g., for oil clean
both inside and around the munitions factories,
petrochemical facilities, underground storage tanks, rail
yards and marine vessels.
How Bioremediation Works
Microorganisms that live in soil and ground water will
consume oil compounds. Once having ingested the oil
compounds, the digestive process in the microbes naturally
convert the compound into harmless water and gases. The
process of bioremediation is applied to restore land to its
original form, making it safe for use in various types of
environments.
Why Bioremediation is Safe
Bioremediation uses only microorganisms that naturally live
in soil and ground water and are safe to the environment.
The fertilizers that are commonly used for lawn and garden
are added to supply nutritions for the microogranisms to
accelerate the bioremediation process. There is no
dangerous chemical adding to this process.
General Methods
There are two methods commonly used in bioremediation:
In-Situ: This method processes waste material at the site
and is usually used in conditions when it is not feasible to
move the soil from the site. However, in-situ methods are
less viable for exploration and production work in producing
crude oil, because crude oil-exposed sites cannot be used
until the bioremediation process is completed. What’s
more, the bioremediation processes require irrigation and
soil aeration on a regular basis, over a period of time.
Aeration of the soil in and around the location of crude oil
production is difficult or even impossible to carry out without
stopping production. Thus, this method can lead to loss of
oil production capacity at the site in question for long period
of time.
Ex-Situ: In this method, the waste material is scraped
away and transported safely to a location specifically
designed to process and cleanse the soil effectively and
efficiently. The processing site is divided into processing
cells, which are regularly sprayed with large quantities of
water for irrigation and aeration, as the soil is bulldozed to
ensure thorough penetration. Between the activities of
irrigation and aeration, the location of microbes can be
allowed to feed upon the oil compounds. Ex-situ is
considered as a proven effective method for processing
waste material because this method allows the process
continuing without interrupting the production process.
Bioremediation Cycle
An effective bioremediation cycle may take up to 8
months, as stipulated in the Minister of Environment
Decree No. 128/2003. The type and amount of soils to be
cleaned, the average exposure concentration, processing
conditions, local climate and the location of processing
options govern the time and the potential of success for
bioremediation.
Effective and efficient management of the program can
speed up the process of soil bioremediation and produce a
clean and safe material in a cycle of 3-4 months. The
processing facilities and locations are well planned and
designed will accommodate and process the crude oil
exposed soil in future.
Soil Testing Standards
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) refers to the
percentage content of crude oil in exposed soil, to
determine the safe level for the environment. In
Indonesia, it is stipulated in the Decree of Minister of
Environment No. 128/2003 that bioremediation is
considered as an effective process for treating oil-
exposed soil with a maximum TPH of 15%.
Testing is conducted periodically during the processing
cycle. When the results of soil testing reveal TPH is less
than or equal to 1%, the soil can be removed from the
processing facility and declared safe for the environment.
Policy, Government & Public Affairs
Chevron IndoAsia Business Unit
Sentral Senayan Tower I
Jl. Asia Afrika 8, Jakarta 10270
Tel 62 21 5731020
Tel 62 21 5731030
Recognized World-Class Technology
Bioremediation is recommended as a safe and effective
technology by environmental agencies worldwide, including
the Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines, Canada-
Wide Standards for Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EU countries
apply the Dutch Standard for bioremediation.
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Reference:
 Minister of Environment Decree no.128/2003
 Bess, R., Dasmadji, Nasrun, D., Bioremediation Methodology of Oil Waste in
CPI Sumatran Operation, IPA Paper – 23rd annual convention, October
199.4
 Dasmadji, Simatupang, R. Zulfan, Dikri, A., Bioremediation Process For
Crude Oil Contaminated Soil – a field scale application, IPA Paper – 6th
annual convention, May 1998.
 McMillen, Sara, A Summary of the DOE/PERF, Bioremediation Workshop in
Houston, Texas, May 30, 2002.
 Rumbiyanti, E., Hermiani, F., Aji, BS., Nugraha Sapta., COCS Clean Up with
Bioremediation: A Case Study and Implementation in Minas Field, Indonesia,
SPE Kuala Lumpur, 2005.
 McGraw, Rene, McMillen, Sara, Bioremediation & Environmentally
Acceptable Endpoints For PT CalTex Pacific Indonesia Crude Oils in Soil At
Upstream Exploration and Production Sites, 2000.
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