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Date submitted2023-08-31
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-11-12
Geochemical studies of rocks of the Siberian igneous province and their role in the formation theory of unique platinum-copper-nickel deposits
- Authors:
- Nadezhda А. Krivolutskaya
The Norilsk deposits, unique both in their geological structure and reserves of nickel and platinum, have attracted the attention of researchers for several decades. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain their formation. Two of them are the most widely accepted: the model of ore formation in an intermediate chamber from picritic melt enriched in sulphides and the formation of sulphides in situ through the assimilation of sulphate-bearing sediments by tholeiitic magma as it rises to the surface. The main questions regarding the genesis of these deposits are: the composition of the parental magmas that formed the ore-bearing massifs; the relationship between intrusions and effusive rocks; and the extent and role of assimilation of host rocks by magmas. These issues are discussed in the article using a large amount of analytical data obtained by the author during the study of the magmatic rocks and geological structures in the Norilsk area. Based on these data, it was concluded that none of the proposed models could fully explain all observed geological features of the deposits as well as the appearance of the unique sulphide ores. In order to solve the problem of the genesis of the Norilsk deposits, it is necessary to analyse the evolution of P3-T1 magmatism over time in the Siberian large igneous province, especially in its eastern part, and to determine its association with ore-forming processes; and its investigating it is a priority task for understanding sulphide ore formation. Solving this task should be based not only on geophysical data but also on studies of the geochemistry of igneous rocks within the province.
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Date submitted2023-03-16
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2023-07-19
Energy efficiency of the linear rack drive for sucker rod pumping units
- Authors:
- Oksana Yu. Ganzulenko
- Ani P. Petkova
At present, in order to increase oil production and reduce economic costs in the development of marginal fields, the development of a cluster method using compact mobile drives of sucker rod pumping units (SRPU) is relevant. The aim of the work is to analyze the ways to improve the energy efficiency of the SRPU by reducing the loss of mechanical and electrical energy, to select the most energy-efficient compact drive for the development of marginal fields in the cluster method, to carry out the kinematic and strength calculations of the drive of the selected size, to develop an adaptive control system for a group of drives in the cluster development of drillings. According to the results of the performed calculations, the linear rack-and-gear drive has the highest efficiency of the drive mechanism. The kinematic and strength calculations of a linear rack-and-gear drive with a stroke length of 1120 mm and a load of up to 8 tons are presented. It was shown that the usage of a direct torque control system and a kinetic energy storage system for the SRPU drive elements and a rod string is an effective means of reducing energy costs in oil production from marginal fields. The use of the developed system for storing and redistributing the potential energy of the rods between the SRPUs that lift oil made it possible to eliminate fluctuations in the power consumption, reduce the power peak value by three times, the peak value of the current consumed from the electric network by two times, and reduce losses in the input converter and cables by three times.
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Date submitted2022-04-07
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Date accepted2023-04-21
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Date published2023-08-28
Development of a new assessment system for the applicability of digital projects in the oil and gas sector
Digital transformation is one of the global trends that has covered most sectors of the economy and industry. For oil and gas companies, the introduction of digital technologies has become not just a trend, but one of the factors for ensuring competitiveness and maintaining a stable position in the market in a rapidly changing macro environment. At the same time, despite the positive effects achieved, digital transformation is a complex process from the point of view of implementation and is associated with high technological, financial, and economic risks. The work aims to develop and test a new system for evaluating the applicability of digital projects in the oil and gas sector. The research methodology includes the application of the Gartner curve, methods of expert assessments, and tools for assessing the economic efficiency of investment projects. The developed assessment system is based on a comprehensive accounting of four components: the level of digital maturity of the company; compliance of the implemented technology with the goals and objectives of the organization; the level of reliability of the implemented technology; the level of innovation of the implemented project. Particular attention is paid to the practical testing of the proposed methodology based on the evaluation of a digital project implemented by a Russian oil and gas company.
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Date submitted2022-08-22
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Date accepted2023-02-02
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Date published2023-08-28
Wodginite as an indicator mineral of tantalum-bearing pegmatites and granites
- Authors:
- Viktor I. Alekseev
In the composition of tantalum-niobates, the tin-bearing wodginite group minerals (WGM) were found: wod-ginite, titanowodginite, ferrowodginite, ferrotitanowodginite, lithiowodginite, tantalowodginite, “wolframowodginite”. We reviewed the worldwide research on WGM and created a database of 698 analyses from 55 sources including the author's data. WGM are associated with Li-F pegmatites and Li-F granites. Wodginite is the most prevalent mineral, occurring in 86.6 % of pegmatites and 78.3 % of granites. The occurrence of WGM in granites and pegmatites differs. For instance, titanowodginite and “wolframowodginite” occur three times more frequently in granites than in pegmatites, whereas lithiowodginite and tantalowodginite do not appear in granites at all. The difference between WGM in granites and pegmatites is in finer grain size, higher content of Sn, Nb, Ti, W, and Sc; lower content of Fe 3+ , Ta, Zr, Hf; higher ratio of Mn/(Mn + Fe); and lower ratio of Zr/Hf. The evolutionary series of WGM in pegmatites are as follows: ferrowodginite → ferrotitanowodginite → titanowodginite → “wolframowodginite” → wodginite → tantalowodginite; in granites: ferrowodginite → ferrotitanowodginite → “wolframowodginite” → wodginite → titanowodginite. WGM can serve as indicators of tantalum-bearing pegmatites and granites. In Russia the promising sources of tantalum are deposits of the Far Eastern belt of Li-F granites containing wodginite.
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Date submitted2022-09-15
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Date accepted2022-11-17
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Date published2022-12-29
Comprehensive assessment of hydraulic fracturing technology efficiency for well construction during hydrocarbon production
The oil and gas industry has been an integral and fundamental sector of the Russian economy for the past few years. The main problems of this industry have traditionally been the deteriorating structure of oil reserves; depreciation of main assets; slowdown and decline in oil production. Recently these have been complicated by a number of new negative trends related to underinvestment, limited financial resources, deteriorating access to new equipment and technologies. The task of the research is to make a comprehensive assessment of hydraulic fracturing technology during well construction and to increase the recovery and intensification of hydrocarbons production. In this research, modeling techniques were used to assess the productivity of each fracture. Geophysical methods (seismic survey) were used to determine the geomechanical properties of the formation. Comprehensive assessment of hydraulic fracturing technology during well construction was carried out, which allowed to increase vertical permeability and unite disparate parts of the reservoir in practice, and to determine the development efficiency of the hydrocarbon field.
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Date submitted2022-05-10
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Date accepted2022-09-06
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Date published2022-11-03
Flotation separation of titanite concentrate from apatite-nepheline-titanite ores of anomalous zones of the Khibiny deposits
Titanium raw materials are widely used for the synthesis of various functional materials – sorbents of radionuclides and rare earth elements, various additives, filler pigments, etc. Since most of titanium concentrates are imported, in line with the import substitution program, production of titanite concentrate from apatite-nepheline ores of the Khibiny deposits is a promising trend for supplying national industry with titanium raw materials. The article presents the results of laboratory studies of flotation separation of titanite concentrate from apatite-nepheline-titanite ores extracted from the upper ore horizon of the Koashvinskoye deposit, where titanite-enriched ores are concentrated. Recovery of titanite concentrate was accomplished using two reagent modes – a mixture of alkyl hydroxamic and carboxylic acids with the addition of distilled tall oil and a mixture of tall oils with the addition of polyalkyl benzene sulfonic acids. The results of the research showed that the first flotation mode, which allows a selective recovery of titanite into the concentrate (titanite content in the concentrate was 93.5 %) is the most efficient. It was shown that flotation separation of titanite concentrate is preferable compared to the chemical method based on sulfuric acid leaching.
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Date submitted2022-06-02
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Date accepted2022-07-21
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Date published2022-10-05
Substantiation of the optimal performance parameters for a quarry during the stage-wise development of steeply dipping ore deposits
- Authors:
- Sergey I. Fomin
- Maxim P. Ovsyannikov
The use of stage-wise schemes in the development of deep quarries is one of the ways to increase the economic efficiency of mining a deposit and determining the optimal stage parameters remains an urgent task. Such parameters are stage depth, bench height, block length, etc. However, there is a wide range of values for these parameters. Therefore, to select the optimal values and evaluate the effectiveness of design solutions, it is advisable to use the net present value, which is an international notion. As a result of the analysis of data on deposits, a large number of variable indicators can be identified that presumably affect the efficiency of mining. The article proposes to divide all parameters of the quarry mining into two types: mine engineering and economic. The importance of each of them is determined by the measure of influence on the net present value. Thus, to assess the measure of influence of mining indicators, the average values of each of them are taken, and as a result of the alternating change of one parameter under study, the measure of its influence on the discounted income received is estimated. The results of the analysis of relevant factors, their evaluation and comparative analysis are important indicators that significantly affect the design decisions made and the effectiveness of the investment project.
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Date submitted2022-03-14
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Date accepted2022-05-13
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Date published2022-07-26
Unique titanium Deposits of Timan: genesis and age issues
The article critically analysesthe hypotheses about the formation, age, and sources of material of large Timan titanium deposits, which were previously considered ancient buried placers formed along the weathering crusts of the Riphean shales. We discuss an alternative hydrothermal-metamorphic hypothesis about the formation of these deposits and the source of ore material. It is established that the incoming zircon of different ages (570-3200 Ma), as well as two other geochronometers, rutile and monazite, underwent a thermal effect common for all varieties as a result of a hydrothermal process about 600 Ma ago. According to modern concepts, the closing temperature of the U-Pb system in rutile exceeds 500 °С, which suggests high-temperature conditions for the hydrothermal processing of rutile during the formation of the considered deposits in the Riphean.
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Date submitted2022-03-03
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Date accepted2022-04-27
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Date published2022-07-26
Peculiarities of rare-metal mineralization and genetic relationship of mineral associations in the eastern rim of Murzinsko-Aduysky anticlinorium (the Ural Emerald Belt)
- Authors:
- Mikhail P. Popov
The paper presents features of the location and composition, as well as a generalization of data on the age of rare-metal mineralization developed at the deposits and occurrences of rare metals and gemstones in the eastern rim of Murzinsko-Aduysky anticlinorium, within the Ural Emerald Belt, which is a classic ore and mineralogical object and has been studied for almost two hundred years. With a significant number and variety of prospecting, research and scientific works devoted mainly to emerald-bearing mica complexes and beryl mineralization, as well as rare-metal pegmatites, scientific literature has so far lacked generalizations on the formation of numerous mineral associations and ore formations that represents a uniform genetic process in this ore district. The aim of the work is a comprehensive geological-mineralogical analysis of mineral associations of the eastern rim of Murzinsko-Aduysky anticlinorium and studying their age, formation conditions and characteristic features to determine the possibility of expanding and using the mineral resource base of the Urals through developing new prognostic and prospecting criteria for rare-metal and gemstone ore formations and creating the new devices for promising objects prospecting
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Date submitted2021-03-23
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Date accepted2022-01-24
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Date published2022-04-29
Justification of the technological scheme parameters for the development of flooded deposits of construction sand
- Authors:
- Vladimir V. Ivanov
- Denis O. Dzyurich
The article describes the main types of technological schemes for working out the flooded strata of sand deposits using hydraulic shovel excavators. The analysis of scientific and technical literature describing the experience of using hydraulic shovel excavators in the open-pit mining, including pits for the extraction of construction sand, has been carried out. The proposed technological scheme is that the development of reserves of the flooded strata without preliminary water reduction is carried out by a hydraulic shovel excavator from under water by a downward digging with the storage of the extracted rock mass in bulk (for dewatering), placed in such a way that when working out the next mining bench width, it is located within the working area of the excavator for simultaneous processing of the next bench width and loading of dewatered sand from the pile. Calculations of the parameters of the operating platform and the excavator block of the proposed technological scheme for conducting open-pit mining were carried out. The dependence for determining the minimum length of the mining operations front of an excavator for drawing up a technological scheme of operation of a backhoe hydraulic excavator on working out the flooded strata with the pile formation for dewatering sand and its subsequent uploading from the pile by the same excavator is presented.
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Date submitted2020-12-24
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Date accepted2021-10-18
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Date published2021-12-16
Natural gas methane number and its influence on the gas engine working process efficiency
The natural gas usage as a vehicle fuel in the mining industry is one of the priority tasks of the state. The article pays special attention to the component composition of natural gas from the point of view of its thermal efficiency during combustion in the combustion chamber of a power plant on a heavy-duty vehicle in difficult quarry conditions. For this, domestic and foreign methods for determining the main indicator characterizing the knock resistance of fuel in the combustion process – the methane number – are considered. Improvement of technical and economic indicators will be carried out by changing the composition of the gas mixture based on methane to fit the design features of the gas power plant, the methane number will be the determining indicator. A theoretical analysis of the influence of the methane number on such engine parameters as the compression ratio and the maximum speed of the flame front propagation in the second phase of combustion in the engine cylinder, expressed through the angle of rotation of the crankshaft, is presented. Based on the results of theoretical and experimental studies, the dependences of the influence of the methane number on the efficiency of the working process of the engine and its external speed characteristic were obtained.
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Date submitted2021-04-15
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Date accepted2021-07-27
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Date published2021-10-21
Analysis of the application and impact of carbon dioxide media on the corrosion state of oil and gas facilities
Products of several currently operated production facilities (Bovanenkovskoye, Urengoyskoye oil and gas condensate fields, etc.) contain an increased amount of corrosive CO 2 . Effect of CO 2 on the corrosion of steel infrastructure facilities is determined by the conditions of its use. Carbon dioxide has a potentially wide range of applications at oil and gas facilities for solving technological problems (during production, transportation, storage, etc.). Each of the aggregate states of CO 2 (gas, liquid and supercritical) is used and affects the corrosion state of oil and gas facilities. Article analyzes the results of simulation tests and evaluates the corrosion effect of CO 2 on typical steels (carbon, low-alloy and alloyed) used at field facilities. The main factors influencing the intensity of carbonic acid corrosion processes in the main conditions of hydrocarbon production with CO 2 , storage and its use for various technological purposes are revealed. Development of carbon dioxide corrosion is accompanied and characterized by the localization of corrosion and the formation of defects (pitting, pits, etc.). Even alloyed steels are not always resistant in the presence of moisture and increased partial pressures of CO 2 , especially in the presence of additional factors of corrosive influence (temperature, aggressive impurities in gas, etc.).
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Date submitted2020-07-29
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Date accepted2021-03-29
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Date published2021-09-20
Critical analysis of methodological approaches to assessing sustainability of arctic oil and gas projects
Development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic is one of the priority tasks for the economy of the Russian Federation; however, such projects are associated with significant risks for the environment of nearby regions. Large-scale development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic should be based on the principles of sustainable development, which imply a balance between socio-economic benefits and environmental risks. The purpose of this study is to analyze the gaps in scientific knowledge on the issues of assessing sustainability of Arctic oil and gas projects (OGPs) and systematize the key problematic elements of such assessments. The analysis was carried out in terms of four key elements that determine the feasibility of implementing Arctic OGPs in the context of sustainable development: economic efficiency, social effects, environmental safety and technological availability. The methodology for conducting bibliometric analysis, which included more than 15.227 sources from the Scopus database over the period of 2005-2020, was based on PRISMA recommendations for compiling systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methodological problems of assessing sustainability of Arctic OGPs were mapped and divided into four key sectors: consideration of factors that determine sustainability; sustainability assessment; interpretation of assessment results; sustainability management. This map can serve as a basis for conducting a series of point studies, aimed at eliminating existing methodological shortcomings of the sustainable development concept with respect to Arctic OGPs.
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Date submitted2020-12-11
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Date accepted2021-03-30
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Date published2021-06-24
Development of new compositions for dust control in the mining and mineral transportation industry
Dust control in summer and winter periods is a topical problem associated with conducting open pit mining operations; however, at negative temperatures the additional requirements are imposed on dust suppressants. Preventive compositions are proposed, in which light and heavy gas oils, obtained from catalytic cracking and delayed coking, are used as base components. Involvement of heavy fractions allows to increase the flash point, thereby reducing the flammability of dust suppressant, improve its adhesion properties by increasing the content of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and reduce the cost of the final product. In order to improve low-temperature and adsorption properties of developed dust suppressants, heavy oil residues (cracking residue and tar) are included in their composition in various concentrations: 2-10 wt.%. Alternative compositions of dust suppressants, obtained by water emulsification of vinylated alkyd oligomer, are developed; the ability of this dispersion to form strong films on dusty surfaces is examined. The efficiency of using aqueous solution of vinylated alkyd oligomer as a summer dust suppressant is demonstrated. The results of this study include the development of new preventive compositions with improved low-temperature properties and confirmation of the theoretical part of the study by the results of performance tests on a laboratory facility.Alternative compositions of dust suppressors have been developed, which were obtained by emulsifying a vinyl alkyd oligomer (VAO) in water; the ability of this dispersion to form strong films on dusty surfaces has been studied. The efficiency of using an aqueous solution of vinyl alkyd oligomer in the summer period as a dust suppressant is shown. The results of this study are the development of new prophylactic formulations with improved low-temperature properties and confirmation of the theoretical part of the study by the results of tests of operational characteristics in a laboratory facility.
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Date submitted2019-12-20
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Date accepted2020-09-01
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Date published2020-10-08
Features of the underground storages construction in depleted oil and gas condensate fields
The paper considers the features of the underground storages (US) construction in depleted oil and gas condensate fields (DOGCFs). The requirements for the structure of the formation, corresponding to the parameters of the object for possible US creation are presented. The influence of geological, hydrogeological, mining and technical rock formation conditions on the reliability and tightness of underground storages, including underground gas storages, has been evaluated. The necessary conditions for the US design are analyzed at the example of the Ach-Su oil and gas condensate field, in the presence of a well-explored trap with acceptable parameters for the construction of an underground storage. An important aspect is the geological conditions that meet the criteria for selecting the object: the required structure, the absence of fracturing faults, high reservoir properties of the formation, a sufficient volume of the deposit for the storage. Geological conditions lay the basis for determining the individual characteristics of the US construction technology at each DOGCF. The refined results for the current gas-saturated pore volume and the rate of pressure drop in the formation are presented, which makes it possible to select improved technological indicators in the course of operation of the created US. In order to select the optimal option for the design and construction of the US, the results of economic and geological scenarios analysis were studied concurrently with the capabilities of the technological operation of the object and transport system, which can ensure the maximum daily production of the storage.
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Date submitted2020-05-05
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Date accepted2020-05-24
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Date published2020-06-30
Justification of stripping and development of a modular mine site for a combined coal mining method in Kuzbass on the example Baikaimskaya mine site
- Authors:
- Roman I. Shishkov
- Valerii A. Fedorin
The article considers one actual method for development coal deposits in the Kuzbass by open-underground mining. The scientific and practical advantages of the proposed method due to the use of common infrastructure of coal mine and a modular mine site (subsequently transformed into a mining and technological structure operating according to the mine – longwall scheme) are presented. Currently, a development strategy for Kuzbass until 2035 has been developed. As part of the strategy, a draft program for subsoil use is being formed in the coal industry department. The program should take into account all the positive and negative aspects associated with coal mining in cities and municipal areas and also their prospects. In the Kuznetsk coal basin, 42 mines and 52 opencast mines are mining, of which 12 enterprises use partially unified infrastructure. According to the results of open-underground mining work conducted by the laboratory of the Institute of Coal and Coal Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Institute of Coal SB RAS), the list of sites includes favorable mining and geological conditions with incidence angles of up to 18 degrees. As open-pit coal production increases, many sites encounter such a parameter as maximum allowable (boundary) strip ratio. At the stage of preparing the feasibility study for the development of a coal deposit, this coefficient is calculated first of all, since duration of enterprise’s work and its economic component depend on it. In order to increase parameters, it is necessary to carry out transition from open works to underground. As a result, coal mine will not work at a loss, providing production with an economically disadvantageous strip ratio.
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Date submitted2019-02-28
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Date accepted2019-05-24
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Date published2019-08-23
Methodological Approach to Substantiation of Capital Investments of Gold Fields Based on Unit Costs
- Authors:
- A. Yu. Zaitsev
Issues of assessing capital expenditures for setting mineral deposits into operation are considered. Existing methods have a number of advantages and disadvantages, but they are determined separately for each type of fixed assets of the field. A simple method, that allows to quickly and easily determine the amount of capital costs for setting gold deposit into operation, based on data on ore reserves, as well as unit costs, taking into account the degree of infrastructure development at the deposit, is proposed. Presented methodology allows one to determine the real amount of initial capital expenditures of a gold deposit, calculate their marginal (recommended) value, and also assess the balance of capital investments in the development of a particular deposit, taking into account the existing one in the company's investment portfolio. The methodology is based on analysis of empirical material, which used real capital costs for development of gold deposits (and foreign-metal impurities) by Polymetal International plc. As a result of a statistical study, method for determining the marginal cost of a field is obtained.
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Date submitted2019-03-21
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Date accepted2019-05-05
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Date published2019-08-23
Stimulation of the Drilling Process with the Top Driven Screw Downhole Motor
- Authors:
- S. L. Simonyants
- M. Al Taee
Paper considers application of the top driven screw downhole motor during drilling of directional wells. The advantages and disadvantages of the rotation-sliding technology with implementation of top drive together with screw downhole motor are shown. It has been proven that the use of a screw downhole motor with simultaneous rotation of drilling pipes using the drilling rig's top drive allows increasing the bit rotation frequency without additional loading of the drilling string. Field data for the work out of one-type PDC bits in identical geological and technical conditions with different types of drives during the construction of three directed wells at the Rumaila oil field of the Republic of Iraq were obtained. A regular increase in the mechanical penetration rate, which is explained by an increase in the bit rotation frequency, has been proved. According to the data obtained, a comparative analysis of the drilling indices was carried out, as a result of which the feasibility of joint use of top power drive with screw downhole motor at drilling oil and gas wells was proved.
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Date submitted2019-03-25
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Date accepted2019-05-14
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Date published2019-08-23
Increase in Intake Capacity by Dynamic Operation of Injection Wells
- Authors:
- E. V. Belonogov
- A. Yu. Korovin
- A. A. Yakovlev
The method of pumping water to compensate for fluid withdrawals from an oil formation in order to maintain formation pressure has long established itself as an effective technology and is widely used at oil and gas fields. At the same time, field operator is often faced with the problem of reduction in the intake capacity of injection wells, which may be caused by various complications arising in the near-wellbore area due to a violation of water treatment technology or other factors. This problem is typical for reservoirs with low permeability values, which leads to a decrease in the performance indicators of the formation pressure maintenance system. In order to counter contamination of the bottomhole zone of the well, as a rule, injection of specialized acid compositions for the purpose of cleaning is used. To increase the effectiveness of this procedure, the authors of the article propose to discharge the injection well at the maximum permissible speeds. This event will allow primary cleaning of the bottomhole zone of the formation from moving particles clogging the pore space, and reduce formation pressure in the vicinity of the injection well, which will subsequently improve the intake capacity of the well during treatment with acid compositions. The decrease in formation pressure in the bottomhole zone of the well also has a positive effect on the radius of acid penetration into the formation. The proposed approach has been successfully tested on a number of injection wells at one of «Gazprom Neft» enterprises. The results of pilot operations showed an increase in the quality of cleaning the bottomhole zone of the formation and an increase in the intake capacity of injection wells with subsequent preservation of intake dynamics.
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Date submitted2018-11-03
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Date accepted2019-01-21
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Date published2019-04-23
Estimation of critical depth of deposits by rock bump hazard condition
- Authors:
- V. N. Tyupin
During the development of minerals by the underground method, dynamic manifestations of rock pressure occur at a certain depth, which significantly reduces the safety of mining operations. Regulatory documents prescribe at the exploration and design stages to establish the critical depth for classifying a deposit as liable to rock bumps. Currently, there are a number, mainly instrumental, methods for determining the liability of rock mass to rock bumps and methods based on the determination of physical and technical properties and the stress-strain state of rock massifs. The paper proposes a theoretical method for determining the critical depth for classifying a deposit as liable to rock bumps. A formula for determining the critical depth of the rock bump hazard condition is obtained. A mathematical analysis of the influence of the physical and technical parameters of the formula on the critical depth is carried out. Its physical and mathematical validity is substantiated. The numerical calculations of the critical depth for 17 developed fields were carried out using a simplified formula. It also provides a comparison of calculated and actual critical depth values. It is established that the variation of the actual and calculated critical depth is due to the lack of actual data on the value of the friction coefficient and parameters of fracturing of the rock mass in the simplified formula. A simplified calculation formula can be used to estimate the critical depth of a field at the survey and design stages. More accurate results can be obtained if there are actual data on fracture parameters, friction coefficients and stress concentration near the working areas.
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Date submitted2018-05-22
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Date accepted2018-07-04
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Date published2018-10-24
Cost assessment of gold ore deposits adjusted for capital investment
- Authors:
- A. Yu. Zaitsev
The paper focuses on the problems of geologic and economic assessment of mineral deposits. Existing methods have certain advantages and disadvantages, but always rely on unified assessment criteria that fail to take into account specific parameters of each deposit. The author proposes a method of quick and simple cost assessment of gold ore deposits based on ore reserves data. Suggested approach allows to evaluate a true price of gold ore deposits that takes into account field preparation and development costs, as well as to calculate threshold (recommended) amount of investment. Besides that, the method permits to assess the contribution that mineral reserves and resources make to the cumulative market price of the mining company. The method is based on the analysis of empirical data from actual purchases of gold ore (and associated metals) deposits made by Polymetal International PLC. The results of statistical research are incorporated in a formula of threshold deposit price taking into account field preparation and development costs. Comparison between deposit prices obtained from actual purchase deals and forecast results demonstrates high convergence rate (R = 0.97). The greatest error in the forecast results is attributed to insufficient attention to the geographical position of deposits, existence of infrastructure and relevant facilities. The method has been tested on three purchases of gold ore assets made by Polymetal International PLC and demonstrated high convergence with actual deal prices.
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Date submitted2018-05-24
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Date accepted2018-07-20
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Date published2018-10-24
Moisture content of natural gas in bottom hole zone
- Authors:
- E. A. Bondarev
- I. I. Rozhin
- K. K. Argunova
For the traditional problem of gas flow to a well in the center of circular reservoir, the influence of initial reservoir conditions on dynamics of gas moisture content distribution has been determined. Investigations have been performed in the framework of mathematical model of non-isothermal real gas flow through porous media where heat conductivity was considered to be negligible in comparison with convective heat transfer. It is closed by empirical correlation of compressibility coefficient with pressure and temperature, checked in previous publications. Functional dependence of moisture content in gas on pressure and temperature is based on empirical modification of Bukacek relation. Numerical experiment was performed in the following way. At first step, axisymmetric problem of non-isothermal flow of real gas in porous media was solved for a given value of pressure at the borehole bottom, which gives the values of pressure and temperature as functions of time and radial coordinate. Conditions at the outer boundary of the reservoir correspond to water drive regime of gas production. At the second step, the calculated functions of time and coordinate were used to find the analogous function for moisture content. The results of experiment show that if reservoir temperature essentially exceeds gas – hydrate equilibrium temperature than moisture content in gas distribution is practically reflects the one of gas temperature. In the opposite case, gas will contain water vapor only near bottom hole and at the rest of reservoir it will be almost zero. In both cases, pressure manifests its role through the rate of gas production, which in turn influences convective heat transfer and gas cooling due to throttle effect.
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Date submitted2017-11-06
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Date accepted2018-01-12
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Date published2018-04-24
Improvement of the procedure of recruitment of personnel for hazardous work environment
- Authors:
- N. D. Tskhadaya
- D. Yu. Zakharov
With the purpose of the reduction of the number of the emergency and abnormal situations in the oil mines conditioned by the influence of the «human factor» an opportunity of application of the system of permit to the works with respect to the real functional state of the personnel is considered in the paper. A «human factor» may become a reason not only for the occurrence but also for the development of the emergency situation according to the unfavorable scenario.The arduous labor conditions such as heating environment, low level of lighting, high level of the dust load may result in the multiple increase of the negative influence of the factors of the real functional state on the quality and safety of the operations. Reasoning from this fact, the consideration of the factors of the functional state in the process of getting a permit to works in the oil mines is of vital importance and requires a well-reasoned and integrated assessment.
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Date submitted2016-09-04
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Date accepted2016-11-14
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Date published2017-02-22
Methodology of reducing rock bump hazard during room and rillar mining of North Ural deep bauxite deposits
- Authors:
- D. V. Sidorov
The article describes practical experience of using room and pillar mining (RAPM) under conditions of deep horizons and dynamic overburden pressure. It was identified that methods of rock pressure control efficient at high horizons do not meet safety requirements when working at existing depths, that is explained by changes in geodynamic processes during mining. With deeper depth, the geodynamic processes become more intensive and number of pillar and roof failures increase. When working at 800 m the breakage of mine structures became massive and unpredictable, which paused a question of development and implementation of tools for compliance assessment of used elements of RAPM and mining, geological, technical and geodynamic conditions of North Ural bauxite deposits and further development of guidelines for safe mining under conditions of deep horizons and dynamic rock pressure. It describes reasons of mine structure failures in workings depending on natural and man-caused factors, determines possible hazards and objects of geomechanic support. It also includes compliance assessment of tools used for calculations of RAPM structures, forecast and measures for rock tectonic bursts at mines of OAO “Sevuralboksitruda” (SUBR). It describes modernization and development of new geomechanic support of RAPM considering natural and technogenic hazards. The article presents results of experimental testing of new parameters of RAPM construction elements of SUBR mines. It has data on industrial implementation of developed regulatory and guideline documents at these mines for identification of valid parameters of RAPM elements at deep depths.
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Date submitted2015-12-10
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Date accepted2016-02-16
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Date published2016-12-23
Research into the innovative potential of an oil and gas company at different stages of field development
- Authors:
- A. E. Cherepovitsyn
- A. Kraslavski
The paper presents an overview of research into the methods and principles used to assess the innovative potential of an oil and gas company. The validation is provided for the conceptual framework of the innovative potential, which is characterized by a combination of resources having a specific value for the oil and gas sector. The paper gives a detailed overview of the resources, which determine the innovative potential of the oil and gas company. A system of indicators for assessing the innovative potential of the oil and gas company, including six indicator groups, has been proposed. Key distinctive features of the oil and gas company technological development have been determined based on the use of potential for innovation at different stages of the field development. Technical and economic indicators of the oil field development at different stages are described. A concept of Intelligent Field technology is outlined, representing an innovative system, implementation of which determines a level to which the potential for innovation of the oil and gas company is tapped.