Microbial Gas Production Potential of Source Rocks in the Outer Carpathian Mountains (Poland)

This study investigated the microbiological susceptibility of rocks from the Outer Carpathians. We hypothesized that source rocks differ significantly in their ability to be colonized by microorganisms, which in turn may affect the potential use of unconventional techniques for microbial enhancement of gas recovery. To test this, we combined geochemical analyses with the isolation of a hydrocarbon‐degrading microbial community and respirometric experiments, in which gas production from rock samples was monitored using an automated system. The results showed that, despite their high hydrocarbon generation potential, rocks of the Menilite Formation may not support microbial activity. In contrast, samples from the Krosno Formation, Upper Istebna Sandstones and Spas‐Veřovice Shales displayed much more favourable microbiological properties. The key factors influencing microbial activity in the tested rocks were porosity, total organic carbon and the contents of quartz, aluminosilicates and carbonates.