Bio‐enhanced oil recovery ( BEOR ) methods: All‐important review of the occasions and challenges

Abstract Bio‐enhanced oil recovery (BEOR) is an advanced and innovative approach in the oil industry that could be a potential solution to increase oil production from existing reservoirs using technologies based on biological methods. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of comprehensive reviews that elucidate the various aspects and potential of different BEOR methods and processes. This review summarizes the recent progress of various methods employed in BEOR, exploring their applications and highlighting their distinct advantages. BEOR employs different techniques, including microorganisms and biomicrobes microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), enzymes, biopolymers, bionanomaterials, alkaline, and biosurfactants to increase oil recovery. Microorganisms contribute significantly to BEOR through metabolic processes that result in the production of gases and acids. The role of enzymes is to enhance the fluid flow and thereby facilitate oil production. Biosurfactants reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) between oil and water and mobilize the trapped oil. Biopolymers are obtained from biological sources such as plants, microorganisms, and algae. Biopolymers can interact with oil, which is well‐used in the process of EOR. Bionano processes represent a fusion of biology and nanotechnology, integrate the advantages of both microorganisms and nanoparticles, and provide a synergic effect for EOR. The BEOR revealed an attractive potential to be an effective approach to maximizing the oil recovery considering environmental, economic productivity, and sustainability issues. Also, this review encourages further studies and development in this field for fully exploiting BEOR's capacity and meeting the ever‐increasing needs of energy resources with a sustainable viewpoint.