The present disclosure relates to isolation, identification and application of Thauera strain AL9:8 which grows on crude oil as the sole carbon source under denitrifying anaerobic conditions Thauera strain AL9:8 can be used alone or in concert with other microorganisms to improve oil recovery, bioremediation of oil or hydrocarbons in contaminated soil, ground water or bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers or oceans and/or applying to method for promoting oil pipeline maintenance, removing a build up hydrocarbon on the intersurfaces of the pipeline.