Genomics and Simulated Laboratory Studies Reveal Thermococcus sp. 101C5 as A Novel Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Possessing Specialized Metabolic Arsenal for Enhanced Oil Recovery from High-Temperature Oil Reservoirs (101 °C)

Laboratory evaluation of hyperthermophiles with the potential for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is often hampered by the difficulties in replicating the in situ growth conditions in the lab. In the present investigation, genome analysis was used to gain insights into the metabolic potential of a hyperthermophile to mobilize the residual oil from depleting high-temperature oil reservoir. Here, we report the 1.9 Mb draft genome sequence of hyperthermophilic anaerobic archaeon, Thermococcus sp. 101C5 with a GC content of 44%, isolated from a high temperature oil reservoir of Gujarat, India. 101C5 possessed the genetic arsenal required for adaptation to harsh oil reservoir conditions, such as various heat shock proteins for thermo-adaptation, Trk potassium uptake system proteins for osmo-adaptation, and superoxide reductases against oxidative stress. MEOR potential of the strain was established by the presence of genes encoding enzymes involved in desired metabolite production like hydrogen, acetate, exopolysaccharide, bio-emulsifier, etc., which was further experimentally confirmed and validated. Also, the presence of crude oil degradative genes highlighted the ability of the strain to mobilize heavy residual oil, which was confirmed under simulated conditions in sand-pack studies. The obtained results demonstrated additional oil recoveries of 42.1% and 56.5% at 96°C and 101°C, respectively, by strain 101C5, illustrating its potential for application in high-temperature oil reservoirs. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of genome analysis of any microbe assessed for its suitability for MEOR from the high-temperature oil reservoir.