FEASIBILITY STUDY OF BIOREMEDIATION OF OIL WASTE CONTAMINATED

SOIL USING AEROBIC BACTERIA AT WONOCOLO TRADITIONAL OIL FIELD

ABSTRACT out on contaminated soil on PT. PPEJ

Bojonegoro Field by adding 17.5%
Environmental pollution caused by petroleum concentration of Bacillus cereus aerobic
exploitation activities can easily occur. bacteria, Pseudomonas putida, and
Pollution that occurs includes; destruction of Rhodococcus erythropolis can also give similar
nutrient content in the soil, polluted ground results when applied to Traditional Wonocolo
water and air. The most harmful effect is Oil Field. This is expected to have a positive
ground water becoming toxic and unfit for impact on the environment around Wonocolo
consumption because it contains benzene, Field.
toluene and xylene (BTX) compounds. The
Decree of the Minister of Environment no. 128 Keywords : Bioremediation, Benzene, toluene,
of 2003 stipulates rules regarding the xylene (BTX)
procedures and technical requirements for
waste and soil treatment contaminated by
INTRODUCTION
petroleum using biological methods. Previous
research (Maria Assumpta, 2017) discusses the Benzene, Toluene dan Xylene (BTX)
bioremediation of BTX compounds by the The hydrocarbon monoaromatics consist of
addition of 17.5% concentration of Bacillus benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and three
cereus, Pseudomonas putida and Rhodococcus xylene isomers, called BTX. BTX can directly
erythropolis on contaminated soil in Pertamina contact with the environment through
Petrochina East Java (PPEJ) Bojonegoro field petroleum-related processes, leakage from oil
producing from the Ngrayong Formation. The storage tanks, oil spills from wells and
initial concentration of BTX compounds on that industrial waste. BTX is soluble and it is a
field were: benzene 26.44 ppm, toluene 121 volatile toxic substance.
ppm, and xylene 109 ppm. After BTX is highly susceptible to microbial attack,
bioremediation these levels fell to: benzene so it can be degraded under aerobic conditions.
0.489 ppm, toluene 0.726 ppm and xylene 3.45 Toluene is the most easily degraded compound
ppm. These values are below the maximum compared to the other compounds. The
limits that have been decreed. degradation process requires dissolved oxygen
(DO) to activate the ring overhaul the aromatic
Based on analysis of the percentage of ring and become an electron acceptor for
hydrocarbon component, oil phase diagram, complete degradation reaction by bacteria,
o
API, oil density, initial formation volume fungi, or algae. An aromatic compound can
factor (Boi) and gas gravity obtained there is a only be considered perfectly degraded when its
similarity between oil from PT. PPEJ aromatic ring has broken. (Assumpta, Maria.,
Bojonegoro Field (Ngrayong Formation) with 2017)
oil at Wonocolo Field (Wonocolo Formation).
Both oils are light oils with API gravity of 31.4 Influential Bacteria In The BTX
– 32.27 oAPI and also similar values of oil Degradation Process
density (53.93 – 54.2 lb/ft3). The hypothesis is
the biodegradation of BTX compounds carried

UPN Veteran Yogyakarta

Of the bacterias that contribute to the
degradation process of BTX compounds, there
are:
Where :
Bacillus cereus Ɣo = specific gravity of the oil
Bacillus cereus (Figure 1) is an aerob gram- ρo = density of the crude oil, lb/ft3
positive bacteria with rod-shaped cells. It is ρw = density of the water, lb/ft3
facultative aerobic, and it can make spores. This
bacteria can grow optimally in the temperature Although the density and specific gravity are
range 28- 35oC and pH between 4.9 – 9.3. used extensively in the petroleum industry, the
(Assumpta, Maria., 2017) API gravity is the preferred gravity scale. This
gravity scale is precisely related to the specific
Pseudomonas putida gravity by the following expression :
Pseudomonas putida (Figure 2) is an aerob
gram-negative bacteria, it has rod –shaped (2-4
μm) and a flagellum. This bacteria lives at a
normal pH of ±7 and temperatures between 25-
Gas Solubility (Rs)
30oC. (Assumpta, Maria., 2017)
The gas solubility (Rs) is defined as the number
of standard cubic feet (SCF) of gas that will
Rhodococcus erythropolis
dissolve in one stock-tank barrel (STB) of crude
Rhodococcus erythropolis (Figure 3) is an
oil at certain pressure and temperature.
aerobic bacteria and has no spores. It is
(Ahmed, Tarek., 2001)
included in the actinomycetes group. Based on
taxonomy, these bacteria are closely related to Standing (1981) expressed his correlation in the
Nocardia and Mycobacterium. This bacteria following mathematical form:
can lives in temperature range of 26-37oC and
pH of ±7. (Assumpta, Maria., 2017)

Quality Standard of Oil Waste Processing

Minister of Environment Decree No. 128 of Where :
2003 year regulates the technical procedures T = temperature, oR
and requirements for the biological treatment of P = pressure, psia
waste and soil contaminated by oil waste. The Ɣg = specific gravity of dissolved gas
final value requirements of petroleum sludge
processing results are shown in Table 1. Oil Formation Volume Factor (Bo)
(Assumpta, Maria., 2017) The oil formation volume factor, Bo, is defined
as the ratio of the volume of oil (plus the gas in
solution) at the prevailing reservoir temperature
PVT ANALYSIS
and pressure to the volume of oil at standard
condition. (Ahmed, Tarek., 2001).
Oil Density
Oil density is defined as the mass of a unit Standing’s (1981) showed that the oil formation
volume of the oil at a specified pressure and volume factor can be expressed more
temperature. It is usually expressed in pounds conveniently in a mathematical form by the
per cubic foot. The specific gravity of an oil is following equation:
defined as the ratio of the density of the oil to
the water. (Rukmana, Dadang., 2012)
Both densities are measured at 60oF and
atmospheric pressure: Where :
T = temperature, oR These multicomponent pressure-temperature
Ɣo = specific gravity of the stock-tank oil diagrams are essentially used to:
Ɣg = specific gravity of the solution gas  Classify reservoirs
 Classify the naturally occuring
Oil Viscosity (μo) hydrocarbon systems
Oil viscosity is defined as the internal resistance  Describe the phase behavior of the
of the fluid to flow. (Ahmed, Tarek., 2001) reservoir fluid

Vasquez dan Beggs (1980) proposed the

following expression for estimating the PREVIOUS RESEARCH
viscosity of undersaturated oil:
Characteristics of PT. Pertamina-
Petrochina East Java Bojonegoro Field
Previous research was conducted to analyze the
soil taken from PT. Pertamina-Petrochina East
where
Java Bojonegoro field with the characteristics
shown in Table 2.
with
Soil characteristics indicate that land in the oil
field exceeds the minimum requirements of the
Quality Standard set by the government in
Oil Compressibility (Co)
accordance with KepmenLH No.128 of 2003 as
Vasquez and Beggs (1980) correlated the
in Table 1.
isothermal oil compressibility coefficients with
Rs, T, oAPI, Ɣg, and p (Ahmed, Tarek., 2006).
While
They proposed the following expression:
result of Aerobic Bacteria Research at PT. PPEJ
Bojonegoro Field.
(Shown in Table 3).
Where :
T = temperature, oR
p = pressure above the bubble-point METHODS
pressure, psia
The research methods applied in this paper are
Rsb = gas solubility at the bubble-point
mathematical analysis and literature study.
pressure
1. Literature Study
Ɣgs = corrected gas gravity
Various literatures related to existing
problems were studied to support the paper
Pressure-Temperature Diagram
writing.
The conditions under which these phases exist
2. Mathematical Analysis
are a matter of considerable practical
Mathematical analysis is performed to
importance. The experimental or the
establish the relationship and correlation
mathematical determinations of these
between oil characteristic in PT. PPEJ
conditions are conveniently expressed in
Bojonegoro Field and Wonocolo
different types of diagrams commonly called
Traditional Oil Field. Oil properties
phase diagrams. One such diagram is called the
comparison can be used to determine the
pressure-temperature diagram (Figure 4).
similarity of oils properties. Oils with the
(Ariadji, Tutuka., 2016)
same characteristics have similar
hydrocarbon component. The hydrocarbon
component will be degraded by aerobic
 bacterias. Thus, oils with the same the target zone of Wonocolo Traditional Oil
properties will show the same degradation Field, while Ngrayong Formation is the target
results. zone of PT. PPEJ Bojonegoro. The
characteristics data of formation and reservoir
fluids of both formation are obtained from SKK
ANALYSIS Migas’s data in POD (Plan of Development)
Competition. The analyzed data are PVT and
Wonocolo Traditional Oil Field is a traditional hydrocarbon component in wellstream
oil field located in Wonocolo Village, condition. The results of PVT data analysis are:
Bojonegoro District. The method of oil oil phase diagrams, oil density, API gravity,
production in this field uses very simple initial formation volume factor (Boi), oil
equipment to produce the oil making oil spills viscosity (μo) and oil compressibility (Co). Oil
unavoidable. The oil spills are increasingly phase diagram is obtained by using PVT-P
degrading the surrounding environment software, while other physical properties are
(Figure 5). obtained from the mathematical correlations
listed in the previous chapter.
The previous research conducted by Maria
Assumpta (January, 2017) at PT. Pertamina- Based on the results of wellstream-PVT
Petrochina East Java (PPEJ) Bojonegoro Field analysis, the oil density of Wonocolo
(Ngrayong Formation) observes the Formation is 54.2 lb/ft3 and 53.93 lb/ft3 for
degradation of oil waste using aerobic bacteria. Ngrayong Formation. API gravity of
That research explains that there are 3 optimum Wonocolo’s oil is 31.4oAPI and Ngrayong’s oil
bacterias used to degrade benzene, toluene, and is 32.27oAPI. Based on the value of oil density
xylene (BTX) compounds, namely Bacillus and API gravity, both oils are light oils. Then,
cereus, Pseudomonas putida, and Rhodococcus the initial solubility of gas (Rsi) for Wonocolo’s
erythropolis. The BTX concentration of PT. oil and Ngrayong’s oil are 314 scf/stb and
PPEJ Bojonegoro Field before bioremediation 498.61 scf/stb. The value of initial formation
were benzene 26.44 ppm, toluene 121 ppm, and volume factor (Boi) of Wonocolo’s oil is 1.13
xylene 109 ppm. These values exceed the Rb/stb and 1.505 Rb/stb for Ngrayong’s oil.
maximum limit stated by Decree of the Minister Both oils have oil viscosity value, 0.736 cp for
of Environment No. 128 of 2003. Addition of Wonocolo’oil and 0.789 cp for Ngrayong’s oil.
bacteria with concentrations of 17.5% in soil Then, oil compressibility (Co) value of
samples from PT. PPEJ Bojonegoro Field Wonocolo’s oil is 1.6089E-05 psi-1 and
resulted in benzene degradation by Bacillus 1.7735E-05 psi-1 for Ngrayong’s oil. The last oil
cereus bacteria reached 98.148% (0.489 ppm). characteristic is oil phase diagram. The result of
Degradation of toluene reached 99.4% (0.726 PVT-P Software shows that both oils have
ppm) by Pseudomonas putida, while the best similar shape of phase diagram dan that is the
xylene degradation by Rhodococcus phase diagram of light oil.
erythropolis reached 96.83% (3.45 ppm).
Based on analysis of some oil characteristics, it
In this paper, the author compare the oil can be concluded that both oils in Wonocolo
characteristics between oils from PT. PPEJ formation and Ngrayong formation are light oil.
Bojonegoro and Wonocolo Field. This These are indicated by the similarity of API
comparison aims to determine what the gravity and oil phase diagram values.
bioremediation at PT. PPEJ Bojonegoro can be Therefore, both oils exhibit similar properties
applied in Wonocolo Traditional Oil Field. and characteristics and also they have
Based on the geological structure of the North hydrocarbon component which not much
East Java Basin, Wonocolo Formation is above different.
Ngrayong Formation. Wonocolo Formation is
The hypothesis is the biodegradation of BTX similar results at the Wonocolo Traditional
compounds conducted at PT. PPEJ Bojonegoro Oil Field.
Field by adding 17.5% concentration of
Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas putida, and RECOMMENDATIONS
Rhodococcus erythropolis could give similar
Communities that exploit oil in Wonocolo
results at Wonocolo Traditional Oil Field.
Traditional Field should use closed oil storage
tanks, so that oil does not spill to the soil which
CONCLUSIONS will ultimately contaminate and degrade soil
and groundwater.
1. Biodegradation of Benzene, Toluene and
Xylene (BTX) compounds at PT. PPEJ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Bojonegoro Field can be optimized by
The authors wish to thank to Mrs. Indah
adding 17.5% solution of aerob bacterias,
Widiyaningsih ST., MT as the mentor for her
these being; Bacillus cereus,
assistance and help to complete and edit this
Pseudomonas putida, and Rhodococcus
paper.
erythropolis. This degradation of 98.148%
(0.489 ppm) for benzene, 99.4% (0.726 REFERENCES
ppm) for toluene and 96.83% (3.45 ppm)
for xylene. Ahmed, Tarek, “Reservoir Engineering
Handbook 2nd Edition”. Gulf Publishing
2. The biodegradation results after Company : Houston, Texas. ISBN 0-
application of 17.5% aerobic bacterias 88415-770-9, 2001.
gave a positive result that meets the Ahmed, Tarek., “Reservoir Engineering
requirements of the quality standard set by Handbook 3rd Edition”. Gulf Publishing
the Decree of the Minister of Environment Company : Jordan Hill, UK. ISBN 13:
No. 128 of 2003. 987-0-7506-7972-5, 2006
3. The oil characteristic of Wonocolo
Formation (Wonocolo Traditional Oil Ariadji, Tutuka., “Esensi & Fondasi
Field) and Ngrayong Formation (PT. PPEJ Perencanaan Pengembangan
Bojonegoro) are similar, i.e. light oil with Lapangan/POD Migas”. Penerbit ITB :
API gravity between 31.4 – 32.27 OAPI Bandung. ISBN 978-602-7861-64-0,
and oil density between 53.93 – 54.2 lb/ft3. 2016.

Assumpta, Maria., “Bioremediasi Benzene,

4. Analysis of physical properties of oil are
Toluene dan Xylene (BTX) dari Lahan
based on percentage of hydrocarbon
Terkontaminasi Minyak Bumi Oleh
component, oil phase diagram, API gravity
Bakteri Aerobik Pada Fase Slurry dalam
(oAPI), oil density, initial formation
Bioreaktor”. Institut Teknologi Sepuluh
volume factor (Boi), oil viscosity (μo), oil
Nopember (ITS), 2017.
compressibility (Co) and gas gravity.
Rukmana, Dadang. Kristanto, Dedy. Aji, Dedi
5. The hypothesis is that the biodegradation Cahyoko., “Teknik Reservoir, Teori dan
of BTX compunds conducted at PT. PPEJ Aplikasi”. Pohon Cahaya : Yogyakarta.
Bojonegoro Field by using 17.5% ISBN 978-602-9485-05-9, 2012.
concentration of aerobic bacteria (Bacillus
SKK Migas., “Case Study of Plan Of
cereus, Pseudomonas putida, and
Development (POD) Competition of Oil
Rhodococcus erythropolis) could give
and Gas Intellectual Parade (OGIP) 2018”.
Petroleum Engineering UPN Veteran
Yogyakarta, 2018.
 ATTACHMENTS

TABLE 1
QUALITY STANDARD OF OIL WASTE PROCESSING

Parameters Unit Result

Analysis of sludge *)
pH 6-9
TPH (μg/g) 10,000
Benzene (μg/g) 1
Toluene (μg/g) 10
Ethylbenzene (μg/g) 10
Xylene (μg/g) 10
Total PAH (μg/g) 10
*) Chemical analysis results for the concentration value of oil
waste specified in dry weight
(Source : KEPMENLH 128, 2003)

TABLE 2
THE SOIL CHARACTERISTIC OF PPEJ BOJONEGORO FIELD

Parameters Characteristic
Color Glossy brown
pH 9.1
Temperature 28°C
BTX Value
Benzene 26.44 ppm
Xylene 121 ppm
Toluene 109 ppm
PAH Value
Napphthalene 115.64 ppm
Fluorene 30.27 ppm
Anthrancene 101.18 ppm
Fluoranthene 9.69 ppm
Pyrene 18.26 ppm
Chrysene 24.47 ppm
(Assumpta, Maria, January 2017)
 TABLE 3

BTX DEGRADATION OF EACH BIOREACTOR

BTX Concentration (μg/g)

Days

BTX Concentration (μg/g)

Days

BTX Concentration (μg/g)

Days

(Assumpta, Maria, January 2017)

 TABLE 4a

HYDROCARBON COMPONENT COMPARISON

BETWEEN WONOCOLO’S OIL & NGRAYONG’S OIL

Formation
Wonocolo Ngrayong
Component
Wellstream Calculation
Mol % Mol %
N2 Nitrogen 0.231 0.165
CO2 Carbon Dioxide 0.835 0.906
Hydrogen
H2S - -
Sulfide
C1 Methane 8.411 7.2
C2 Ethane 1.747 5.101
C3 Propane 5.294 4.067
iC4 iso-Butane 4.321 6.17
nC4 n-Butane 4.285 5.833
iC5 iso-Pentane 4.155 4.354
nC5 n-Pentane 2.896 4.717
C6 Hexanes 5.331 3.769
C7 Heptanes 4.984 5.305
C8 Octanes 5.18 6.247
C9 Nonanes 6.546 4.821
C10 Decanes 5.598 4.122
C11 Undecanes 7.289 7.384
C12+ Dodecanes plus 32.987 30.839
(Study Case of POD Competition – OGIP 2018 by Petroleum Engineering of UPN Veteran Yogyakarta)

TABLE 4b

CHARACTERISTICS OF WONOCOLO’S OIL AND NGRAYONG’S OIL

Oil Density T Pres Gas

Formation
lb/ft³ °F Psia Gravity
Wonocolo 54.2 205.6 2,113 0.73
Ngrayong 53.93 219.6 2,600 0.71
Source : SKK Migas – Case Study of POD Competition of OGIP 2018 UPN Veteran Yogyakarta

TABLE 4c

CHARACTERISTICS RESULTS OF WONOCOLO’S OIL AND NGRAYONG’S OIL

Oil
T Pres Gas Rsi Boi μoi Coi
Formation Density °API
Gravity
lb/ft³ °F Psia SCF/STB Rb/STB cp psi-1
Wonocolo 54.2 205.6 2,113 0.73 31.4 314 1.13 0.736 1.6089E-05
Ngrayong 53.93 219.6 2,600 0.71 32.27 498.61 1.505 0.789 1.7735E-05
 TABLE 5

CHARACTERISTICS RESULTS OF WONOCOLO’S OIL

P Rs Bo po Co μo
psia scf/stb rb/stb lb/ft³ psi¯¹ cp
2113.0 314.00 1.13 50.691 1.60887E-05 0.736
1913.0 314.00 1.150 49.809 1.77708E-05 0.715
1713.0 314.00 1.168 49.042 1.98456E-05 0.696
1513.0 314.00 1.185 48.338 2.24689E-05 0.679
1313.0 314.00 1.200 47.734 2.58914E-05 0.664
1113.0 314.00 1.213 47.222 3.0544E-05 0.651
1097.99 314.00 1.206 47.201 3.09615E-05 0.650
913.0 252.784 1.178 47.872 3.72349E-05 0.641
713.0 189.385 1.150 48.572 4.76795E-05 0.634
513.0 129.445 1.123 49.236 6.6268E-05 0.630
313.0 73.987 1.100 49.846 0.000108612 0.631
113.0 25.207 1.080 50.376 0.000300845 0.640
14.7 3.279 1.071 50.610 0.002312616 0.648

TABLE 6

CHARACTERISTICS RESULTS OF NGRAYONG’S OIL

P Rs Bo po Co μo
psia scf/stb rb/stb lb/ft³ psi¯¹ cp
2600 498.61 1.175 42.417 1.77358E-05 0.789
2400 498.61 1.195 41.871 1.92138E-05 0.767
2200 498.61 1.215 41.340 2.09605E-05 0.747
2000 498.61 1.235 40.821 2.30566E-05 0.728
1800 498.61 1.255 40.315 2.56184E-05 0.710
1600 498.61 1.275 39.822 2.88207E-05 0.695
1400 498.61 1.295 39.340 3.2938E-05 0.682
1373 498.61 1.305 39.104 3.35857E-05 0.680
1200 405.62 1.259 40.451 3.84276E-05 0.670
1000 327.26 1.222 42.073 4.61131E-05 0.662
800 251.99 1.187 43.755 5.76414E-05 0.656
600 180.39 1.154 45.465 7.68552E-05 0.653
400 113.40 1.125 47.146 0.000115283 0.655
200 52.77 1.099 48.707 0.000230566 0.662
14.7 6.6 1.077 50.052 0.003136948 0.678
 Time (days) Time (days) Time (days)

Chart 1 - Degradation of (a) benzene, (b) toluene dan (c) xylene for Adding 17.5% Concentration of
Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas putida And Rhodococcus erythropolis (Assumpta, Maria, January 2017)

Phase Diagram of Wonocolo's Oil

800

600
Pressure, psia

400

200

0
-400 -200 0 200 400 600 800
Temperature, °F

Chart 2 – Oil Phase Diagram of Wonocolo Formation (Wonocolo Traditional Oil Field) using IPM-
PVTP Software

Phase Diagram of Ngrayong's Oil

800
700
600
Pressure, psia

500
400
300
200
100
0
-400 -200 0 200 400 600 800
Temperature, °F

Chart 3 – Oil Phase Diagram of Ngrayong Formation (PT. PPEJ Bojonegoro) using IPM-PVTP
Software
Oil Characteristics of Wonocolo Formation

Rs vs Pressure of Wonocolo's Oil Bo vs Pressure of Wonocolo's Oil

400 1.25
350
1.2
300
Rs (scf/stb)

Bo, rb/stb
250 1.15
200
150 1.1
100
1.05
50
0 1
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Pressure (psia) Pressure, psia

Chart 4 - Rs vs Pressure Chart 5 - Bo vs Pressure

Oil Viscosity vs Pressure of Oil Density vs Pressure of Wonocolo's

Wonocolo's Oil Oil
0.76
0,051
Oil Density, lb/ft³

0.74
0.72 0,049
μo, cp

0.7
0.68 0,047
0.66 0,045
0.64
0.62 0,043
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Pressure, psia Pressure, psia

Chart 6 - Oil Viscosity vs Pressure Chart 7 - Oil Density vs Pressure

Oil Compressibility vs Pressure of

Wonocolo's Oil
0.0025
0.002
Co, psi¯¹

0.0015
0.001
0.0005
0
00 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
Pressure, psia

Chart 8 - Oil Compressibility vs Pressure

Oil Characteristics of Ngrayong Formation

Rs vs Pressure of Ngrayong's Oil Bo vs Pressure of Ngrayong's Oil

600 1.4
500
1.3
Rs (scf/stb)

Bo, rb/stb
400
300 1.2
200
1.1
100
0 1
0 1000 2000 3000 0 1000 2000 3000
Pressure (psia) Pressure, psia

Chart 9 - Rs vs Pressure Chart 10 - Bo vs Pressure

Oil Viscosity vs Pressure of Oil Density vs Pressure of Ngrayong's

Ngrayong's Oil Oil
0.8 0,050
Oil Density, lb/ft³

0.75
0,045
μo, cp

0.7
0,040
0.65
0.6 0,035
0 1000 2000 3000 0 1000 2000 3000
Pressure, psia Pressure, psia

Chart 11 - Oil Viscosity vs Pressure Chart 12 - Oil Density vs Pressure

Co vs Pressure of Ngrayong's Oil

0.00025
0.0002
Co, psi¯¹

0.00015
0.0001
0.00005
0
0 1000 2000 3000
Pressure, psia

Chart 13 - Oil Compressibility vs Pressure

 Figure 1 - Bacillus cereus

Figure 2 - Pseudomonas Putida

Figure 3 - Rhodococcus erythropolis

Figure 4 - Typical p-T Diagram for a Multicomponent System

Figure 5 – The Condition in Wonocolo Traditional Oil Field

(Alfiza Danistya Suseno’s Document)