Мінеральні ресурси України (Dec 2024)
Assessment of prospects for the production of fuel shales and the search for hydrocarbon, hydrogen, helium deposits at the Bovtys impact structure
Abstract
The paper analyzes the previous studies conducted at the Bovtysky deposit with the aim of determining the conditions of occurrence of layers and horizons of oil shale and estimating their reserves. Reserves and forecast resources of energy oil shale (category C₁, P₁, P₂) of the Bovtysky deposit with an on-board heat of combustion of 2000 kcal/kg amount to 3,9 billion tons; with an on-board combustion heat of 2500 kcal/kg – 996 million tons. A comparison of the main parameters of the quality of oil shale of the productive unit of the IV horizon showed that on the selected areas of 4 quarry fields in the western part of the deposit, about 900 million tons are concentrated to a depth of 150–170 m. They can be the object of detailed geological exploration works. The most promising of them is the area of the 3rd quarry field with reserves of 355.9 million tons of oil shale with a weighted average calorific value of 2,233 kcal/kg and an average stack capacity of 9,74 m. This is where the lowest overburden capacity and sloping shale beds occur layers. The eastern peripheral part of the deposit can be considered as a reserve with shale reserves of 350–400 million tons. Further work on the study of the oil shale of the Bovtysky deposit should be aimed at improving the technology of complex processing, clarifying the expected economic indicators of development and, in case of positive results, exploration of the most promising career field. The results of the complex near-surface structural-thermo-atmosphere-hydrologic-hydrogeochemical research give grounds for asserting that significant reserves of hydrocarbons may be found in the Bovtysky impact structure. Carrying out targeted complex geological and geophysical works (including well drilling) as soon as possible, and structural-thermo-hydrological-hydrogeochemical research at the preparatory stage will contribute to the increase of hydrocarbon, hydrogen and helium production.
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