Display omitted •P. aeruginosa NCIM 5514 completely decolorized 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol.•Oil droplets in the vicinity of the colonies showed oleophilic nature.•This isolate degraded C8–C36+ (60.63%) of crude oil based on GC analysis.•First report on the use of 3%v/v crude oil as sole carbon source by an individual strain.•Paraffin(s) degradation ability demonstrates its potential for removal of well clogging. The aim of this work was to study the potential of an indigenous strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 5514, isolated from petroleum-polluted soil, for the biodegradation of crude petroleum oil. The isolate completely decolorized 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol in 120h when grown at (37±1°C), indicating its hydrocarbon utilizing nature. Ex situ biodegradation study was performed to find out quantitative utilization and biodegradation of paraffin(s) present in crude oil. When the culture was grown in Bushnell-Hass medium containing crude oil (3%,v/v) at 37°C, 180rpm for 60days, the viscosity of the oil was reduced from 1883cp to 1002cp. Gravimetric and gas chromatographic analysis showed 61.03% and 60.63% of biodegradation of C8–C36+ hydrocarbons, respectively. These results indicated that the isolate has potential to be used for ex-situ and in-situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants and could have promising applications in petrochemical industry.