Profiles of Hydrocarbon Metabolites Reflect Functional Redundancy between Distinct Microbiomes of Alaskan North Slope Oil Fields

Microorganisms can have an undeniable impact on oil production through their roles in the biodegradation of hydrocarbons and corrosion of metal surfaces. The ever-increasing demand for fossil fuels from limited reservoirs and an aging infrastructure has exacerbated the need to better understand how reservoir properties and management practices influence the composition of microbial communities and their metabolic activities. In this study, we identify the potential metabolites of hydrocarbon degradation and microbial community profiles throughout two oil fields on the Alaskan North Slope. Field A, a younger facility, with lower temperatures, and seawater recharging, had metabolites of mostly “lighter” hydrocarbons and was dominated by Proteobacteria. Field B, which is older, with higher temperatures, and recycles its productions fluids, has a greater diversity of hydrocarbon metabolites and is dominated by members of the Firmicutes and Synergistes. Samples from the same field contained similar metabolite profiles and bacterial communities. The properties of the oil reservoirs, oil production practices, and overall temperatures are likely the factors driving the microbial community structures and functions.