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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 submitted2024-10-29
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Date accepted2024-10-29
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Date published2024-11-12
Study of thermodynamic processes of the Earth from the position of the genesis of hydrocarbons at great depths
In the context of significant depletion of traditional proven oil reserves in the Russian Federation and the inevitability of searching for new directions of study and expansion of the raw material base of hydrocarbon raw materials in hard-to-reach regions and on the Arctic shelf, a scientific search is underway for accumulations in complex geological conditions and in manifestations that differ significantly from traditional ones, which include the processes of oil and gas formation and preservation of oil and gas in low-permeability “shale” strata and in heterogeneous reservoirs at great and super-great depths. Within the oil and gas provinces of the world, drilling of a number of deep and super-deep wells has revealed deposits at great depths, established connections between hydrocarbon deposits and “traces” of hydrocarbon migration left in the core of deep wells, which has made it possible to significantly re-evaluate theoretical ideas on the issue of oil and gas formation conditions and the search for technologies aimed at solving applied problems. Modern geochemical, chromatographic, bituminological, coal petrographic and pyrolytic methods of studying oil and bitumoids extracted from the host rocks of deep well cores give a hope for identifying correlations in the oil-source system, revealing processes that determine the possibility of hydrocarbon formation and accumulation, and defining predictive criteria for oil and gas potential at great depths.
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Date submitted2021-04-19
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Date accepted2022-05-25
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Date published2022-07-13
Development of the technology of stowing the developed space during mining
- Authors:
- Evgenii R. Kovalskii
- Kirill V. Gromtsev
An analysis of the world experience in the development of potash deposits shows that the main problems arising during their development are a high level of mineral losses, an increased risk of flooding of mine workings as a result of water-proof layer discontinuance and the development of emergency water inflows in the mined-out spaces. Reduction of potash ore losses can be achieved by using a long-pillar mining system, but this method is limited by the peculiarities of the geological structure of the potash deposits and the need to preserve the continuity of the water-proof layer during its underworking. The safety of underworking of the water-proof layer can be improved by using the stowing of the developed longwall space. However, the question of the influence of the stowing on the height of the zone of water supply cracks development remains little-studied. The world experience of stowing the developed spaces in the development of layers with long pillars is analyzed and the technology of placing the stowing masses, which can solve these problems, is proposed. The considered technology and the proposed solutions are supported by laboratory tests of stowing materials and mathematical modeling of deformation zones in the overlying rocks.
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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 submitted2021-03-05
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Date accepted2021-04-28
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Date published2021-09-20
Rational design justification of the tunnel boring shield executive body for the conditions of the mines of Saint Petersburg Metrostroy
The article discusses the features of running tunnels in difficult mining and geological conditions of the Saint Petersburg Metrostroy using modern tunnel boring shields of Herrenknecht company with hybrid executive bodies equipped with a incisors and rock cutters. The work of a hybrid executive body is analyzed when driving along a heterogeneous bottomhole massif consisting of Cambrian clay with limestone interlayers. Theoretical and experimental studies of vibroactive cones, a graphical representation of the dependence of the depth of their penetration on the axial force and axial force together with the applied shock load (the dependences of the penetration depth are interpreted as a linear dependence) have been carried out. An increase in the intensity of destruction of a heterogeneous bottomhole massif consisting of Cambrian clay and limestone interlayers using vibroactive rock-cutting tools (spiked roller) was theoretically and experimentally confirmed, while the growth of the penetration rate is determined depending on the number of their parameters. The design is considered, the principle of operation and the method of power calculation of a rotary executive body equipped with vibroactive cutters are described, on the basis of which a nomogram of the dependence of the torque and performance of the tunnel boring shield on the feed rate of the executive body to the bottom is built.
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Date submitted2019-05-30
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Date accepted2019-09-04
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Date published2020-02-25
Prospects for industrial methane production in the mine n.a. V.M.Bazhanov using vertical surface wells
The estimated methane resources in the coal stratum of Donbass are 798.5 billion m 3 , including 119.5 billion m 3 in the Donetsk-Makeevsky area. Such significant potential implies that methane can be used not only for industrial production and energy purposes but also as a commodity for the chemical industry. However, in practice, commercial production of methane from coal seams, as is done in the fields of the USA, Canada, India, and China, is not carried out, and methane, obtained as a by-product, is utilized for ensuring the safety of the main technological processes for coal mining. The main reasons for this are the difficult mining and geological conditions of bedding, low thickness and permeability, which does not allow to separate methane production into an independent type of activity due to its low profitability, especially with the use of new technologies based on hydraulic fracturing of coal seams. The assessment of the possibility of industrial methane production in the mine n.a. V.M.Bazhanov in the Donetsk-Makeevsky area of Donbass, which reserves equal to 23.7 billion m 3 , showed that a significant part of the methane reserves is concentrated in coal seams and interlayers with a gas content of 18.5-20.7 m 3 /m 3 . Moreover, in the host rocks, methane is practically in a liberated state. This circumstance makes possible the commercial production of methane for its utilization from the unloaded rock mass by wells drilled from the surface, without the use of hydraulic fracturing technology. The paper discusses the technology of methane extraction by a degassing well drilled from the surface into a coal-bearing stratum unloaded from rock pressure in a mining field of the 4th eastern face of the m 3 seam of the mine n.a. V.M.Bazhanov and its subsequent use as the fuel of an electric generator. It is shown that over the entire period of operation of the pilot well, the volume of actually produced methane exceeded the design value by 23 %, and the cost of the gas produced amounted to 1535 rubles per 1000 m 3 , which is more than 3 times lower than the market price for natural gas for consumers in the Russian Federation. This made it possible to make a conclusion about the possibility of industrial extraction of mine methane using vertical surface wells for its subsequent utilization in power plants, which does not imply the usage of hydraulic fracturing technology.
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Date submitted2019-07-17
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Date accepted2019-09-04
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Date published2019-12-24
On flood protection measures for potash mines
- Authors:
- A. A. Baryakh
- E. A. Gubanova
Development of water-soluble ore deposits is associated with the necessity to preserve water blocking strata (WBS), which separate aquifers from the mine gob. One indicator of the rate of man-induced load on WBS layers is subsidence of the earth surface, which defines the character of shift trough formation of the earth surface. The greatest threat of WBS discontinuity is posed by the areas located at the edges of a shift trough. From the perspective of Upper Kama deposit of potassium and magnesium salts, by means of mathematical modelling methods authors demonstrated that in the capacity of threat indicators of WBS hole destruction it is possible to use the following parameters of a shift trough: edge length scaled to the depth of mining operations and maximum subsidence of the earth surface. Critical combination of these factors is responsible for the discontinuity at the edges of water blocking strata. These parameters of a shift trough can easily be controlled by instrumental procedures and can be included in the basics of a general monitoring system of WBS state at potash mines. In order to protect the mine from the inrush of fresh water, it is necessary to form softening zones at the edges of mined-out areas near permanent or temporary borders of mining operations. Authors review different options of softening zone formation. Numerical tests have demonstrated that the most efficient way to protect water blocking strata is the formation of softening zones by means of backfilling the stopes of the workable seam or its exclusion from mining operations.
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Date submitted2015-08-20
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Date accepted2015-10-17
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Date published2016-04-22
Increasing the accuracy of the fast laser measurments transparent solid and liquid films thicknesses
- Authors:
- A. B. Fedortsov
Nondestructive optical methods for measuring of the «thick» films thickness of the order of 0,001-1,00 mm are analyzed. It is shown that using the laser beam radiation and modern optical and electronic schemes possible to decrease the time of single measurement to 1ms and less at the measuring frequency of 10-50 Hz. The possibility of measuring thickness and spreading coefficient and evaporation kinetics of liquid films is demonstrated. A new computer method of the data processing aimed to determine the film thickness from the angle dependence of the laser beam reflection coefficient by the film is offered. The offered procedure and the experimental technique realizing it permits to decrease the thickness determination uncertainty to the order of ten.
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Date submitted2009-10-06
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Date accepted2009-12-24
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Date published2010-09-22
Geologo-geomechanical developments of structures of deep vertical shafts at coal mines in Donbass
- Authors:
- V. V. Levit
- S. V. Borshchevskii
The lithologo-geomechanical trend of conditions for strengthening the vertical shafts of collieries which coordinates and unites the lithologo-geomechanical and mining factors into a system has been developed.
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Date submitted2009-10-01
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Date accepted2009-12-02
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Date published2010-09-22
Typization of coalbed-methane deposits оf the kuznetsk basin by promising methane output with using different technologies of gas recovery intensification of coal seams
Experts of «Gazprom promgaz» Co based on international experience of coalbed methane (CBM) mining have developed recommendations for expedient application of various methods of coalbed gas recovery intensification under different mining conditions. It will result in reduction of wells number and increase in methane extraction degree.
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Date submitted2009-08-03
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Date accepted2009-10-30
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Date published2010-02-01
Geotechnical engineering features of the estimation of stability of heavy constructions of designed cement works in Novorossiysk
- Authors:
- Yu. V. Khaliullina
In the paper possibilities of constructing industrial heavy structures near slopes are described. The influence of tectonics, seismicity, a relief, deposit rocks thicknesses, their physical properties of geotechnical engineering feature are analyzed. The law of marls durability change is established. Positions of the most probable surfaces of sliding in cracked monoclonal deposit thickness are shown. The estimation of stability of the loaded slopes is made. Some recommendations for maintenance of structure stability are given.
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Date submitted2009-07-03
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Date accepted2009-09-10
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Date published2010-04-22
Methods for calculation of methane reserves in coal seams as independent mineral resource
Development of nonconventional resources of natural gas such as coalbed methane (CBM) demands new approaches to reserves’ calculation and economic estimation of coalbed methane fields. Experts of OS «Gazprom promgaz» have developed the method of CBM reserves calculation as independent mineral based on international and russian experience in CBM fields prospecting and production activity of CBM. The article is devoted to basic principles of new technique on an example of Taldinskoe CBM field reserves’ calculation.
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Date submitted2008-10-05
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Date accepted2008-12-18
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Date published2009-12-11
A new regional stratigraphical scheme of the upper palaeozoic of Taimir
- Authors:
- S. B. Shishlov
The structural-genetic analysis of the Upper Palaeozoic sections of Taimir allowed us to distinguish seven geoformations – regional geological bodies, which had been formed as a result of transgression-regression cycles in the palaeobasin. The geoformations are considered as the regional stratigraphic units (Horizont in Russian usage). Lithologically uniform parts of the geoformations (gradations), which resulted from lateral differentiation of landscapes during the regional sedimentation cycle, are used as local stratigraphical units. The developed stratigraphical scheme based on the geoformations and gradations is the geohistorical model of the Late Palaeozoic of Taimir.