Microbes feeding on highly viscous oils can produce chemical changes to allow the residual oils to be extracted, Wealth from Oceans Flagship researcher Craig Roy told the Oceans and the World's Future conference in Cairns this week.

Roy outlined some of the technologies being developed in the Flagship which have potential applications for ocean-based industries.

"Microbially-enhanced oil recovery will give us access to the thicker oils which at present cannot be extracted," he said.

"Another example includes the extraction of offshore oil and gas by using sub-sea and down-hole technologies. This large-scale research has strong industry support and involvement. We could see the traditional platforms and surface facilities become structures of the past."

The Flagship is focused on delivering ocean-based economic, social and environmental wealth to Australia through scientific, research and industry partnerships.