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Date submitted2024-05-15
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Date accepted2025-01-28
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Date published2025-04-30
Study of changes in the void space of core samples under cyclic loading
The subsurface state is explored and analysed by studying the core material. This is the basis for forecasts, construction and improvement of models. The reservoir properties of rocks obtained from the laboratory study of sample are subject to a system error caused by three main factors: rock selection in the zone of altered stress-strain state, rock removal from the thermobaric conditions of natural occurrence, and the measuring equipment error. A change in the natural stress-strain state of rocks occurs as a result of intervention in the formation system and the entire massif by constructing a well, creating overburden and depression. The rise of the core causes unloading from formation pressure to atmospheric one, natural saturation is lost, temperature conditions change. This affects the reservoir properties and rock injectivity. This study is aimed at investigating changes in the void space of the rock in formation conditions under cyclic loading. Based on the data obtained, a regression forecast of properties is made, excluding external influences. The article describes the results of experiments on multiple loading and unloading of water-saturated sandstone samples by geostatic pressure with precise control of the water displaced and returned to the void space. This method enables us to record the change in the internal void volume of the rock and, as a consequence, elastic and plastic deformations, the value of relaxation of elastic deformations. The dynamics of change in the coefficients of porosity and compressibility from the stress state cycle is estimated and the range of predicted porosity values of the rock in formation conditions is determined. For samples of permeable medium- to fine-grained sandstone, the obtained character of porosity change gives a forecast of the initial porosity in formation conditions of 20.19±0.61 %. Thus, the exclusion of human impact on porosity gives values 1.42 % higher than the results of standard laboratory studies.
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Date submitted2024-05-11
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Date accepted2025-01-28
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Date published2025-03-21
Research and development of technology for the construction of snow airfields for accommodating wheeled aircraft in Antarctica
- Authors:
- Sergey P. Polyakov
- Sergey V. Popov
Construction of a new wintering complex at the Antarctic Vostok Station required prompt delivery of builders and mechanics to Progress Station to move them further to the work area. To solve this major logistical issue, a new landing site, later named Zenit, certified for accommodating heavy wheeled aircraft, was prepared in the Progress Station area from March to August 2022. Its snow pavement slab with a total area of 350 thousand m2 is from 100 to 120 cm high. It was made by applying snow layers with their subsequent compaction by a specially designed compaction platform for snow airfields suitable for heavy wheeled aircraft. As a result, the pavement has a surface hardness of at least 1 MPa. The layer from 30 to 60 cm has a hardness of at least 0.8 MPa, and the bottom layer at least 0.6 MPa. The first Il-76TD-90VD aircraft of the Russian company Volga-Dnepr was accommodated to the new runway on 7 November 2022. The aircraft landed in normal mode. The depth of the chassis wheels track after landing did not exceed 3 cm. The research provided in-depth understanding of the mechanisms for forming the supporting base of the runway from snow and ice in Antarctica. The experience gained can be used to solve similar issues in the Far North.
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Date submitted2024-04-27
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Date accepted2024-11-07
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Date published2025-03-05
Comprehensive studies of the snow-firn layer in the area of the Russian Antarctic Vostok Station
The article presents the findings from research conducted at Vostok Station during the 69th Russian Antarctic expedition. The primary goal of the research is to perform a thorough investigation of the snow-firn layer using both direct (drilling and core analysis) and indirect (georadiolocation and seismic exploration) methods. As part of the research, fundamental tasks related to the study of the structure and dynamics of the upper part of the ice sheet were addressed, as well as applied tasks aimed at justifying the depth of explosive charge placement for seismic work with the goal of conducting a detailed study of Lake Vostok and selecting the point for drilling access to the lake. Data on the microstructure and physical properties of the snow-firn layer were collected. The findings will allow for future improvements to the firn densification model, which is required to understand the evolution of ice grains during the early stages of metamorphism. The study's findings aided in the understanding of the structural features of the ice sheet's surface layer, allowing for more precise determination of the structural and physical characteristics of the snow-firn layer and ice, potentially leading to a better understanding of climatic and geological processes in Antarctica.
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Date submitted2023-10-31
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Date accepted2024-11-07
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Date published2025-01-24
Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
One of the priority areas of scientific research in Antarctica is the study of its deep structure. Most of the continent is covered with a thick ice sheet, so the main geoscientific data are acquired using geophysical methods, among which magnetotelluric (MT) ones have the greatest penetration depth and insignificant environmental impact. The possibility of acquiring high-quality MT data in the conditions of the sixth continent has long been questioned. The work is aimed at studying the specifics of magnetotelluric survey in Antarctica. The following tasks were set: to summarize the world experience of studying Antarctica using MT sounding methods; to identify factors that negatively affect the high-quality data acquisition; to determine methods for minimizing the influence of these factors. The article analyses geophysical studies conducted by the magnetotelluric sounding method in the Antarctic region from 1964 to the present. The application of the method is complicated by the following: extremely low temperature affects the drop in the batteries capacity, freezing of the non-polarizing electrodes solution, and changes in the strength properties of materials. Electromagnetic noise occurs during strong winds; proximity to the magnetotelluric field source can violate the plane wave principle on which the method is based. The ice sheet covering most of Antarctica does not allow acquiring optimal values of the contact resistance of the electrode grounding; the extended coastline distorts the acquired data. Studies of the influence of factors complicating the MT sounding method in the coastal and central parts of Antarctica made it possible to formulate recommendations for preparing equipment and adapting the work procedure, modifying the processing flow and a set of measures to ensure safety, the implementation of which will both allow safe performance of geophysical investigations and high-quality data acquisition.
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Date submitted2022-09-21
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Date accepted2024-06-03
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Date published2024-12-25
Analysis of the assessment of the prospects for the burial of CO2 in unexplored aquifer complexes on the example of a facility in the Perm Region
One of the most important problems of our time is the annual increase in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. It is possible to combat this phenomenon by reducing emissions or developing and applying technologies for capturing, storing, using and disposing of CO2. In this work, an assessment of the expediency and possibility of carbon dioxide burial in deep aquifers is considered, the study of which is carried out to a small extent and due to the lack of useful material in them. The parameters and results of CO2 injection into the aquifer of one of the oil fields of the Perm Region, the geological properties and characteristics of which are determined in this work, are studied. The criteria of applicability, methods of estimating the volume of the reservoir and laboratory studies to determine the properties of CO2 and the features of its interaction with the model of the reservoir fluid are considered. The injection object and reservoir volume were determined, PVT studies of the target gas were performed, and its solubility in reservoir water was determined. The duration of filling the full volume of the trap when capturing 400 thousand tons of CO2 per year from the target industrial facility is calculated to be 202 years. This conclusion signals the prospects for the burial of carbon dioxide in the underground deposits of an undeveloped aquifer complex in the Perm Region, which reflects the importance of studying such geological CO2 burial sites in order to achieve global carbon neutrality goals.
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Date submitted2023-06-21
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-08-26
Specific action of collector from phosphoric acid alkyl esters class in flotation of apatite-nepheline ores
Increasing amount of apatite-nepheline ores with complex mineral composition involved in processing, growing content of the associated minerals in ore which are similar in their floatability to apatite lead to the necessity of using highly selective collectors. Non-frothing flotation method gave a comparative assessment of floatability of pure minerals and demonstrated a high selectivity of the action of phosphoric acid esters in relation to apatite. The effect of four reagent modes differing in the number of selective synthetic collectors was studied using the example of flotation of an apatite-nepheline ore sample containing 17.27 % apatite and 40.18 % nepheline. Mineralogical analysis of crushed ore showed that it contained two apatite varieties – coarse-grained free and finer poikilitic as inclusions in rock-forming minerals. Free apatite opens and occurs as open grains even in coarse-grained (+0.16 mm) grades. Poikilitic apatite occurs as intergrowths with different minerals, mainly with nepheline and its alteration products (natrolite, spreustein, sodalite, etc.), and pyroxene. Optical microscopy demonstrated that a growing share of reagent from the phosphoric acid oxyethylated esters class in the composition of the collector mixture allows improving the quality of the produced apatite concentrates by reducing the number of apatite intergrowths with nepheline and pyroxenes in the concentrates. In the concentrate obtained in the most selective reagent mode, the intergrowths are characterized by a 50/50 and higher ratio in favour of apatite. Concentrates of lower quality comprised intergrowths with lower apatite content, to 20/80 or less.
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Date submitted2021-12-20
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Date accepted2024-05-02
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Date published2024-08-26
A new formula for calculating the required thickness of the frozen wall based on the strength criterion
- Authors:
- Mikhail А. Semin
- Lev Yu. Levin
The study delves into the elastoplastic deformation of a frozen wall (FW) with an unrestricted advance height, initially articulated by S.S.Vyalov. It scrutinizes the stress and displacement fields within the FW induced by external loads across various boundary scenarios, notably focusing on the inception and propagation of a plastic deformation zone throughout the FW's thickness. This delineation of the plastic deformation zone aligns with the FW's state of equilibrium, for which S.S.Vyalov derived a formula for FW thickness based on the strength criterion. These findings serve as a pivotal launchpad for the shift from a one-dimensional (1D) to a two-dimensional (2D) exploration of FW system deformation with finite advance height. The numerical simulation of FW deformation employs FreeFEM++ software, adopting a 2D axisymmetric approach and exploring two design schemes with distinct boundary conditions at the FW cylinder's upper base. The initial scheme fixes both vertical and radial displacements at the upper base, while the latter applies a vertical load equivalent to the weight of overlying soil layers. Building upon the research outcomes, a refined version of S.S.Vyalov's formula emerges, integrating the Mohr – Coulomb strength criterion and introducing a novel parameter – the advance height. The study elucidates conditions across various soil layers wherein the ultimate advance height minimally impacts the calculated FW thickness. This enables the pragmatic utilization of S.S.Vyalov's classical formula for FW thickness computation, predicated on the strength criterion and assuming an unrestricted advance height.
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Date submitted2023-11-27
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-02-29
Physico-chemical aspects and carbon footprint of hydrogen production from water and hydrocarbons
Physico-chemical aspects determine the efficiency and competitiveness of hydrogen production technologies. The indicator of water consumption is especially relevant, since water is one of the main sources of hydrogen in almost all methods of its production. The article analyzes comparative water consumption indicators for various technologies based on published research and actual data from production plants. The volume of water consumption depends on the quality of the source water, which should be taken into account when implementing hydrogen projects in order to minimize the negative impact on the environment. Based on the operating industrial plant, the material balance of hydrogen production by steam reforming was demonstrated, which made it possible to determine the proportion of hydrogen (48.88 %) obtained from water. Currently, the carbon footprint indicator is becoming more important, reflecting greenhouse gas emissions throughout the production chain. According to the results of the total greenhouse gas emissions assessment for hydrogen production by steam reforming (about 10.03 kg CO2-eq/kg H2), the carbon footprint of hydrogen from water (4.2-4.5 kg CO2-eq/kg H2) and hydrogen from methane (15.4-15.7 kg CO2-eq/kg H2) has been determined. Consequently, almost half of the hydrogen produced by steam reforming is produced from water, corresponds to the indicators of “low-carbon” hydrogen and can be considered as “renewable” hydrogen. To make management decisions, an objective assessment in terms of energy and water costs is necessary based on a system analysis by the development of hydrogen energy and the growth of global hydrogen production. The impact of these indicators on the water cycle and global water resources will increase.
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Date submitted2022-10-29
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-04-25
Assessment of rock massif sustainability in the area of the underground research laboratory (Nizhnekanskii Massif, Enisei site)
The study presents the results of the research on geodynamic and geological conditions of the Enisei site (Krasnoyarsk Krai), chosen for the construction of an underground research laboratory. The laboratory is being built at a depth of 500 m to assess the suitability of the rock mass for burying high-level radioactive waste. The rocks consist of weakly fractured gneisses, granites, and dikes of metadolerites. Field observations were conducted on bedrock outcrops. They included the determination of rock mass quality indicators, measurement of rock fracturing, and a rating classification of stability using N.Barton's method. GNSS observations were also made to monitor surface deformations. These data were used to develop a three-dimensional structural model, including lithology, fault disruptions, intrusive bodies, elastic-strength properties of rocks, and the sizes of zones influenced by faulting. It will serve as a basis for boundary conditions and the construction of three-dimensional variational models of stress-strain states, identifying zones of concentration of hazardous stresses, and planning in situ geomechanical experiments in underground mines of the laboratory. The obtained values of the modified QR index for the main types of rocks allowed their classification as stable and moderately stable, corresponding to strong and very strong rocks on Barton's scale and the massif rating according to geomechanical classification.
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Date submitted2023-08-16
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Date accepted2023-10-24
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Date published2023-10-27
Results of complex experimental studies at Vostok station in Antarctica
Scientific research in the area close to the Russian Antarctic station Vostok has been carried out since its founding on December 16, 1957. The relevance of work to study the region is steadily increasing, which is confirmed by the Strategy for the Development of Activities of the Russian Federation in the Antarctica until 2030. As part of the Strategy implementation, Saint Petersburg Mining University solves the comprehensive study issues of the Vostok station area, including the subglacial Lake Vostok, related to the development of modern technologies and technical means for drilling glaciers and underlying rocks, opening subglacial reservoirs, sampling water and bottom sediments, as well as carrying out comprehensive geological and geophysical research. For the successful implementation of the Strategy, at each stage of the work it is necessary to identify and develop interdisciplinary connections while complying with the requirements for minimizing the impact on the environment. During the season of the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition, the staff of the Mining University, along with the current research works , began research of the dynamic interactions between the forces of the Earth, from the deepest depths to the surface glacier. Drilling and research programs have been completed. The drilling program was implemented jointly with colleagues from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute at the drilling complex of the 5G well. The research program included: shallow seismic studies, core drilling of snow-firn strata, study of the snow-firn strata petrostructural features, studies of cuttings collection filters effectiveness when drilling snow-firn strata and the process of ice destruction in a reciprocating rotational method, bench testing of an acoustic scanner. As a result of drilling in 5G well at the depth range of 3453.37-3534.43 m, an ice core more than 1 million years old was obtained.
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Date submitted2022-06-27
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2023-12-25
Analysis of the problems of high-quality drinking water extraction from underground water intakes on Vysotsky Island in the Vyborg district of the Leningrad region
This article presents the results of drilling, experimental filtration work and laboratory studies aimed at assessing the resources and quality of groundwater in the licensed area of Vysotsky Island located in the Leningrad region, in the Gulf of Finland in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents. Analysis of the results of hydrochemical studies and their comparison with data on water intakes in adjacent areas gives the right to conclude that it is possible to classify a hydrogeological unit as a different type of resource formation than those located in the surrounding areas. Groundwater in this area is confined to an unexplored deep fractured regional high-pressure zone. According to the received data, the explored water intake can be attributed to a unique groundwater deposit, which has an uncharacteristic composition of groundwater in the north of the Leningrad region, which may be due to the mixing of modern sediments and relict waters of the Baltic glacial lake. The stability of groundwater characteristics is confirmed by long-term monitoring.
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Date submitted2021-10-27
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2023-12-25
Geomechanical analysis of the impact of the new tunnels construction in the vicinity of existing underground subway structures on the state of the soil massif
The specificity of the behavior of the soil massif near the tunnel under construction in difficult mining conditions is considered. It was revealed through the joint interpretation of the results of geophysical measurements in the tunnel and computer simulation. The results of field geophysical studies to identify areas of decompacted soil behind the lining in two existing tunnels during successive drilling of two new tunnels under them are described. A method to analyze the response of the lining to impact was used providing for the calculation of its energy. It has been established that the decompaction zones are mainly located in the lateral lower areas of the tunnel. To substantiate the mechanism of formation of cavities, computer simulations were carried out using the finite element method with the COMSOL Multiphysics software. The finite element model is built on the Drucker – Prager criterion in the variant of a two-dimensional problem statement. It is shown that at the initial position of two old tunnels, the areas of decompaction can develop mainly on the sides. The position of the zones changes significantly when excavating two new tunnels. Soil decompaction zones appear between the tunnels and there is a tendency for the areas to spread to the upper point of the tunnel. According to geophysical data time delays in the impact of new tunnels on the existing line are noted, as well as a decrease in the size of decompacted soil areas over time. There is a satisfactory agreement between the positions of the decompaction areas and voids obtained by the geophysical method and the results of numerical simulation.
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Date submitted2021-10-31
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Date accepted2023-03-02
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Date published2023-12-25
Improvement of technological schemes of mining of coal seams prone to spontaneous combustion and rock bumps
On the example of the Alardinskaya mine, the problem of underground mining of seams prone to spontaneous combustion and rock bumps in the conditions of the Kondomsky geological and economic region of the Kuznetsk coal basin is considered. The contradictions in the requirements of regulatory documents for the width of the inter-panel coal pillars in the mining of seams with longwalls in conditions of endogenous fire hazard and in the mining of seams that are dangerous due to geodynamical phenomena are discussed. These contradictions impede the safe mining of seams using traditionally used layouts with the danger of spontaneous combustion of coal and rock bumps. A mining-geomechanical model is presented, which is used for numerical three-dimensional simulation of the stress-strain state of a rock mass with various layouts for longwall panels using the finite element method. The results of the numerical analysis of the stress state of the rock mass immediately before the rock bump are presented, and the main factors that contributed to its occurrence during the mining of the seam are established. A dangerous degree of stress concentration in the coal seam near the leading diagonal entries is shown, especially in conditions of application of abutment pressure from the edge of panels’ gob. The analysis of the features of stress distribution in the inter-panel pillar at different widths is carried out. Recommendations for improving the layout for the development and mining of coal seams that are prone to spontaneous combustion and dangerous in terms of rock bumps in the conditions of Alardiskaya mine have been developed. The need for further studies of the influence of pillars for various purposes, formed during the mining of adjacent seams, on the stress-strain state of previously overmined and undermined seams is shown.
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Date submitted2022-08-01
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Date accepted2022-11-17
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Date published2023-02-27
Use of machine learning technology to model the distribution of lithotypes in the Permo-Carboniferous oil deposit of the Usinskoye field
- Authors:
- Denis V. Potekhin
- Sergei V. Galkin
Permo-Carboniferous oil deposit of the Usinskoye field is characterized by an extremely complex type of the void space with intense cross-sectional distribution of cavernous and fractured rock. In this study, for this production site, the process of 3D geological modeling has been implemented. At the first stage, it provided for automated identification of reservoir volumes by comparing the data of core and well logging surveys; at the second stage, identification of rock lithotypes according to Dunham classification is performed on the basis of comparison of thin sections examination and well logging data. A large array of factual information enables the use of machine learning technology on the basis of Levenberg – Marquardt neural network apparatus toward achievement of our research goals. The prediction algorithms of reservoir and rock lithotype identification using well logging methods obtained on the basis of the training samples are applied to the wells without core sampling. The implemented approach enabled complementing the 3D geological model with information about rock permeability and porosity, taking into account the structural features of the identified lithotypes. For the Permo-Carboniferous oil deposit of the Usinskoye field, the volumetric zoning of the distribution of different rock lithotypes has been established. Taking into account the lithotypes identified based on machine learning algorithms, density and openness of fractures were determined, and fracture permeability in the deposit volume was calculated. In general, during the implementation, the machine learning errors remained within 3-5 %, which suggests reliability of the obtained predictive solutions. The results of the research are incorporated in the existing 3D digital geological and process model of the deposit under study.
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Date submitted2022-03-14
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Date accepted2022-06-20
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Date published2022-11-10
Model of a walking sampler for research of the bottom surface in the subglacial lake Vostok
Technologies and technical means for investigation of subglacial lakes in Antarctic is a new developing scientific and technical direction, which today has no clearly established methodology. Based on the developed technology of drilling a new access well to lake Vostok and its penetration as well as analysis of existing methods and devices for bottom sediment sampling, a basic model of a sampler with a walking-type mover, capable of moving along different trajectories and operating in a wide technological range, is proposed. The proposed device model is equipped with different actuators for sampling the bottom surface with different physical and mechanical properties. Based on the presented basic model of the walking sampler, a mathematical model of the device was developed, which was based on the theoretical mechanics methods. As a result of conducted research the dependencies were obtained, which allow making a scientifically justified choice of optimal values for geometric and force parameters of the walking sampler. A conceptual design of the walking sampler has been developed, taking into account the mutual location and coupling of its main components, the overall dimensions of the delivery tool, as well as the esthetic component of the device.
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Date submitted2022-03-17
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Date accepted2022-10-04
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Date published2022-11-10
Improving the reliability of 3D modelling of a landslide slope based on engineering geophysics data
Landslides are among the most dangerous geological processes, posing a threat to all engineering structures. In order to assess the stability of slopes, complex engineering surveys are used, the results of which are necessary to perform computations of the stability of soil masses and assess the risks of landslide development. The results of integ-rated geological and geophysical studies of a typical landslide slope in the North-Western Caucasus spurs, composed of clayey soils, are presented. The purpose of the work is to increase the reliability of assessing the stability of a landslide mass by constructing a 3D model of the slope, including its main structural elements, identified using modern methods of engineering geophysics. Accounting for geophysical data in the formation of the computed 3D model of the slope made it possible to identify important structural elements of the landslide, which significantly affected the correct computation of its stability.
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Date submitted2022-01-31
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Date accepted2022-09-06
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Date published2022-11-10
Filtration studies on cores and sand packed tubes from the Urengoy field for determining the efficiency of simultaneous water and gas injection on formation when extracting condensate from low-pressure reservoirs and oil from oil rims
- Authors:
- Nikolay A. Drozdov
Oil rims as well as gas condensate reservoirs of Russia's largest Urengoy field are developed by depletion drive without formation pressure maintenance, which has led to serious complications in production of oil, gas and condensate. In addition, field development by depletion drive results in low values of oil and condensate recovery. These problems are also relevant for other oil and gas condensate fields. One of the possible solutions is simultaneous water and gas injection. Rational values of gas content in the mixture for affecting gas condensate fields and oil rims of oil and gas condensate fields should be selected using the data of filtration studies on core models. The article presents the results of filtration experiments on displacement of condensate and oil by water, gas and water-gas mixtures when simulating the conditions of the Urengoy field. Simultaneous water and gas injection showed good results in the experiments on displacement of condensate, residual gas and oil. It has been ascertained that water-gas mixtures with low gas content (10-20 %) have a better oil-displacement ability (9.5-13.5 % higher) than water. An experiment using a composite linear reservoir model from cemented core material, as regards the main characteristics of oil displacement, gave the same results as filtration experiments with sand packed tubes and demonstrated a high efficiency of simultaneous water and gas injection as a method of increasing oil recovery at oil and gas condensate fields.
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Date submitted2021-09-17
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Date accepted2022-04-07
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Date published2022-12-29
Technique for calculating technological parameters of non-Newtonian liquids injection into oil well during workover
Technique for automated calculation of technological parameters for non-Newtonian liquids injection into a well during workover is presented. At the first stage the algorithm processes initial flow or viscosity curve in order to determine rheological parameters and coefficients included in equations of rheological models of non-Newtonian fluids. At the second stage, based on data from the previous stage, the program calculates well design and pump operation modes, permissible values of liquid flow rate and viscosity, to prevent possible hydraulic fracturing. Based on the results of calculations and dependencies, a decision is made on the necessity of changing the technological parameters of non-Newtonian liquid injection and/or its composition (components content, chemical base) in order to prevent the violation of the technological operation, such as unintentional formation of fractures due to hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing can lead to catastrophic absorptions and, consequently, to increased consumption of technological liquids pumped into the well during workover. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of uncontrolled gas breakthrough through highly conductive channels.
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Date submitted2021-09-22
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Date accepted2022-03-24
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Date published2022-04-29
Predicting dynamic formation pressure using artificial intelligence methods
Determining formation pressure in the well extraction zones is a key task in monitoring the development of hydrocarbon fields. Direct measurements of formation pressure require prolonged well shutdowns, resulting in underproduction and the possibility of technical problems with the subsequent start-up of wells. The impossibility of simultaneous shutdown of all wells of the pool makes it difficult to assess the real energy state of the deposit. This article presents research aimed at developing an indirect method for determining the formation pressure without shutting down the wells for investigation, which enables to determine its value at any time. As a mathematical basis, two artificial intelligence methods are used – multidimensional regression analysis and a neural network. The technique based on the construction of multiple regression equations shows sufficient performance, but high sensitivity to the input data. This technique enables to study the process of formation pressure establishment during different periods of deposit development. Its application is expedient in case of regular actual determinations of indicators used as input data. The technique based on the artificial neural network enables to reliably determine formation pressure even with a minimal set of input data and is implemented as a specially designed software product. The relevant task of continuing the research is to evaluate promising prognostic features of artificial intelligence methods for assessing the energy state of deposits in hydrocarbon extraction zones.
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Date submitted2021-10-19
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Date accepted2021-11-30
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Date published2021-12-27
Potential technological solution for sampling the bottom sediments of the subglacial lake Vostok: relevance and formulation of investigation goals
The subglacial Lake Vostok in Antarctic is a unique natural phenomenon, its comprehensive study involves sampling of water and bottom surface rocks. For further study of the lake, it is necessary to drill a new access well and develop environmentally safe technologies for its exploration. This article discusses existing and potential technologies for sampling bottom surface rocks of subglacial lakes. All these technologies meet environmental safety requirements and are conducive for sampling. The authors have proposed an alternative technology, using a walking device, which, due to its mobility, enables selective sampling of rocks across a large area from a single access well. The principal issues, related to the implementation of the proposed technology, are investigated within this article. This report is prepared by a team of specialists with many years of experience in drilling at the Vostok Station in Antarctic and in experimental work on the design of equipment and non-standard means of mechanization for complicated mining, geological and climatic conditions.
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Date submitted2021-03-16
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Date accepted2021-07-27
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Date published2021-10-21
Allocation of a deep-lying brine aquifer in the rocks of a chemogenic section based on the data of geophysical well logging and 2D seismic exploration
Advancement in the production of potassium fertilizers is an important strategic task of Russian agricultural industry. Given annually growing production rates, the reserves of discovered potassium-magnesium salt deposits are noticeably decreasing, which creates the need to ensure stable replenishment of the resource base through both the discovery of new deposits and the exploitation of deep-lying production horizons of the deposits that are already under development. In most cases, deposits of potassium-magnesium salts are developed by underground mining. The main problem for any salt deposit is water. Dry salt workings do not require any additional reinforcement and can easily withstand rock pressure, but with an inflow of water they begin to collapse intensively – hence, special attention is paid to mine waterproofing. Determination of spatial location, physical and mechanical properties of the aquifer and water-blocking stratum in the geological section represent an important stage in the exploration of a salt deposit. The results of these studies allow to validate an optimal system of deposit development that will minimize environmental and economic risks. On the territory of Russia, there is a deposit of potassium-magnesium salts with a unique geological structure – its production horizon lies at a considerable depth and is capped by a regional aquifer, which imposes significant limitations on the development process. To estimate parameters of the studied object, we analyzed the data from CDP seismic reflection survey and a suite of methods of radioactive and acoustic well logging, supplemented with high-frequency induction logging isoparametric sounding (VIKIZ) data. As a result of performed analysis, we identified location of the water-bearing stratum, estimated average thickness of the aquifers and possible water-blocking strata. Based on research results, we proposed methods for increasing operational reliability of the main shaft in the designed mine that will minimize the risks of water breakthrough into the mine shaft.
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Date submitted2020-09-09
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Date accepted2021-03-29
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Date published2021-09-20
Developing features of the near-bottomhole zones in productive formations at fields with high gas saturation of formation oil
The article studies the formation features of the bottomhole zones in productive formations during operation of production wells in the north of the Perm Territory. Their distinctive feature is the high gas saturation of formation oil. The most widely used parameter in Russian and world practice – the skin factor was used as a criterion characterizing the state of the bottomhole zone. Analysis of scientific publications has shown that one of the main problems of applying the skin factor to assess the state of bottomhole zones is the ambiguity of interpretations of its physical meaning and the impossibility of identifying the prevailing factors that form its value. The paper proposes an approach to identifying such factors in the conditions of the fields under consideration, based on multivariate correlation-regression analysis. Choice of this tool is due to the complexity of the processes occurring in the “formation – bottomhole zone – well” system. When describing complex multifactorial processes, the chosen method demonstrates a high degree of reliability. For a large number of wells in the region, significant material was collected and summarized, including the results of determining the skin factor (1102 values) during hydrodynamic investigations, as well as data on the values of various geological and technological indicators, which can probably be statistically related to the value of the skin factor. A series of multidimensional mathematical models has been built; the skin factor was used as a predicted parameter, and data on the values of geological and technological indicators were used as independent indicators. Analysis of the constructed models is a key stage of this study. Set of parameters included in the multidimensional models, sequence of their inclusion and contribution to the total value of the achieved determination coefficient as the main indicator for the performance of the constructed models were studied. It has been established that the main factor influencing the state of the bottomhole zone is oil degassing. Significant differences in the formation features of the skin factor in the terrigenous and carbonate sediments at the fields under consideration have been determined.
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Date submitted2020-08-28
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Date accepted2020-12-16
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Date published2020-12-29
Metrological support of equipment for geophysical research
The article discusses the problems associated with metrological support of equipment for geophysical research, issues of ensuring the uniformity of well measurements, the creation of Russian standards for calibrating well equipment when determining the porosity coefficients and oil, gas, water saturation, determining the parameters of defects during well cementing and technical condition of casing strings and the water-oil-gas flow. The problems of creating full-fledged methods for measuring the parameters of oil and gas fields with conventional and hard-to-recover reserves have been investigated. The key directions of development of the Russian metrological support of geophysical well measurements were determined. The tasks that need to be solved to create metrological support for geophysical well logging as an industry that meet international standards are indicated. The expediency of creating a Russian Geophysical Center for Metrology and Certification, the need to develop a new and update the existing regulatory framework, which will allow Russian geophysics to reach the level of world leaders in the field of geophysical research, are substantiated.
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Date submitted2020-05-26
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Date accepted2020-06-10
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Date published2020-06-30
Theoretical analysis of frozen wall dynamics during transition to ice holding stage
Series of calculations for the artificial freezing of the rock mass during construction of mineshafts for the conditions of a potash mine in development was carried out. Numerical solution was obtained through the finite element method using ANSYS software package. Numerical dependencies of frozen wall thickness on time in the ice growing stage and ice holding stage are obtained for two layers of the rock mass with different thermophysical properties. External and internal ice wall boundaries were calculated in two ways: by the actual freezing temperature of pore water and by the temperature of –8 °С, at which laboratory measurements of frozen rocks' strength were carried out. Normal operation mode of the freezing station, as well as the emergency mode, associated with the failure of one of the freezing columns, are considered. Dependence of a decrease in frozen wall thickness in the ice holding stage on the duration of the ice growing stage was studied. It was determined that in emergency operation mode of the freezing system, frozen wall thickness by the –8 °C isotherm can decrease by more than 1.5 m. In this case frozen wall thickness by the isotherm of actual freezing of water almost always maintains positive dynamics. It is shown that when analyzing frozen wall thickness using the isotherm of actual freezing of pore water, it is not possible to assess the danger of emergency situations associated with the failure of freezing columns.
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Date submitted2020-05-06
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Date accepted2020-05-24
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Date published2020-06-30
Revisiting the evolution of deformation zones under platform conditions in the case study of the Kungur Ice Cave (Cis-Urals)
- Authors:
- Nataliya V. Lavrova
Observations in mining tunnels and caves allow to identify composition and development specifics of fault structures under subsurface conditions at various stages of geological history. Basing on the existing formation model of Kungur Ice Cave karst system, author examines the transformations of deformation zones, occurring in the mass of interlaid sulfate and carbonate rocks under platform conditions. Morphologic specifics of vertical structures – organ pipes, developed within one of the gypsum-anhydrite units, are defined by evolution stages of disjunctive faults, penetrating the entire rock mass of the Ice Cave. Point infiltration of surface waters and formation of a single channel, where rock softening and taluses from overlapping deposits gradually occur, are currently considered to be the initiators of pipe formation. At a later stage a sink forms on the surface, increasing the amount of water coming to the karsting mass. However, the size of debris in the talus, incommensurate with the pipe head, rounded arches of separate pipes, fragments of feeder channels, characteristic for artesian conditions of underground water circulation, faceted rock debris from overlapping deposits, specifics of wall structure all define the priority of pipe formation over grottos and cave galleries. Plastic properties of gypsum sediments and processes of their hydration define secondary modifications of pipe walls up to complete filling of the voids and formation of secondary pillars with subsequent renewed formation of vertical channels – significantly smaller in diameter and formed by infiltration waters when subject to corrosion.