Increasing number of reports on the oil degrading performances from microbes shows a good prospective for successful microbial remediation in treating environmental pollution caused during the production and accidental spillage of petroleum hydrocarbon. Biosurfactantproducing and hydrocarbon-utilizing microbes increase the bioavailability of complex hydrocarbons by synthesizing biosurfactant thus enhancing the bioremediation process. Bioremediation has been proven as a method that is effective in treating oil contaminated sites as well as cost effective and gives complete degradation of organic contaminants. Biosurfactant is well-known for its unique properties such as not exhibiting toxicity effect, biodegradable, efficient at low concentration and having high stability towards extreme environment. Their advantages over synthetic surfactants make them a better alternative for application in many fields. Most emphasis to date has been on the optimization and application of biosurfactant in petroleum-related activities. Optimization involving physical and nutrient factors has been attempted as a primary step to improve biosurfactant production. This mini-review article aims to emphasize recent findings on microbial biosurfactant and its potential applications and limitations particularly in the petroleum industry. © Penerbit UMT.