Abstract

Bioremediation of oil and oil residues has become a viable technique for eliminating or significantly reducing undesirable contamination of the environment. The bacteria used may be wholly indigenous or customized commercial bacteria to provide a "jump" start to the bioremediation process. In either event, the bacteria are completely naturally occurring bacteria and not bio-engineered bacteria. Thus, there is not the danger of a rogue bacteria taking over the environment as some thought when bioremediation was first introduced. In order to develop the appropriate bioremediation methodology for P.T. Caltex Pacific Indonesia, a pilot bioremediation project was initiated in the Minas producing district using customized bacteria from Polybac Corporation as well as indigenous Sumatran bacteria. This paper describes the preparation work, experimental design, parameters measured, and strategic plan in developing bioremediation methodology for P.T. Caltex Pacific Indonesia.