Ways of helium development in Eastern Siberia

Abstract

The Baikal natural gas deposits are ten times higher than the Orenburg oil and gas condensate field in terms of helium content. The Orenburg field is the raw material base of the Orenburg helium plant, which is part of Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg. Helium is characterized by increased ability to leak out. It is no coincidence that two deposits of Eastern Siberia geographically gravitate towards the deep Baikal fault. Hydrocarbon deposits in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory characterized by an increased fracturing system may have interconnections with deep faults. The study of such geological conditions in the development process is promising for increasing the raw material base of helium mining. Helium production technology is based on low-temperature gas condensation. The application of membrane gas separation technology is promising. Separation blocks can be incorporated into the infrastructure of compressor stations. This approach to the deployment of helium production capacities will increase the efficiency of capital investments. Relatively small volumes of productive helium can be transported without reference to pipeline systems. The proximity to the Yenisei and the Northern Sea Route makes the issue of the development of gas condensate production relevant. Placing production wells near the intersection of several fracturing faults is also effective in terms of high inflows. Of particular interest are wells drilled near discontinuous faults. Under these conditions, one can rely on helium inflows through microcrack systems from deep horizons.