摘要

To evaluate the application of a DNA-based analysis of a microbial technique for oil and gas prospecting, the hydrocarbon potential predicted using the methanotrophic pmoA and propanotrophic prmA genes as targets was investigated in soil above a known oil reservoir. In total, 82 soil samples were collected at 50-cm depths above the Xiliu oil reservoir for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The pmoA gene content ranged from 0 to 2.7x10(6) copies/g dw, whereas that of prmA varied from 0 to 1.6 x 10(6) copies/g dw. Microbial anomaly distribution maps of normalized values for the prmA gene as a main indicator suggested that the area with the highest potential of prospecting was an undeveloped location, and an area with a relatively large prmA background was identified at this oil-producing site. The areas of microbial anomaly exhibited different prmA/pmoA ratios (20, 1-5, 0.0n-0.25 and 0), and this ratio may be used as an indicator for predicting the properties of oil and gas reservoirs and biogenic methane or the influence of oil-producing activities. Our results suggest that a DNA-based analysis of a microbial technique is a powerful tool for oil and gas prospecting. This study provides a new microbial technique for the prospecting of oil and gas.