In this study, a halotolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Asph2 was used to bioremediate oil polluted seawater with total petroleum hydrocarbon content of 5 g/L in a batch system using a local, readily available, and commercial nutrient, corn steep liquor. P. aeruginosa Asph2 expressed good biodegradation capabilities for different petroleum hydrocarbon components, recording approximate to 58, 64, 56, 55, and 53% for total petroleum hydrocarbon, saturates, aromatics, asphaltenes, and resins, respectively, within 21 days of incubation at 30 degrees C, pH 7, and 150 rpm. P. aeruginosa Asph2 proved good uptake of crude oil with high production of rhamnolipid biosurfactant. The produced biosurfactant exhibited low surface tension of 36 dyne/cm, low critical micelle concentration of 20 mg/L, and good emulsification index E-24 of 55%.