TVT TECHNOLOGY EXPANDS RESEARCH CAPABILITIES OF GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT IN HARD-TO-REACH REGIONS OF THE WORLD
The Skygeotech research team conducted a scientific study of the causes of the growing environmental disaster around the Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan, where for several decades there has been an uncontrolled release of natural gas to the surface and its combustion.
The reasons for this phenomenon have not been finally determined to this day; accordingly, the ways and means of eliminating this catastrophe have not been determined. The Skygeotech company conducted a study of this phenomenon using remote space technology Thermovision Tomography, identified the geotectonics features of this region, the migration paths of fluid-gas emanations to the Earth's surface, and proposed possible solutions to this environmental problem.
Below we attach a brief scientific report with the results of the work carried out on the Darvaza gas crater site in the Karakum desert.
Thus, Thermovision Tomography not only helps to effectively search for underground minerals (including hydrocarbons), but also helps to identify the probable causes of environmental disasters even in hard-to-reach regions of the world.
BRIEF SCIENTIFIC REPORT
GEOTHERMAL STRUCTURE OF THE GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT OF A GAS CRATER IN THE KARAKUM DESERT.
A brief history of the burning Crater.
The Darvaza Crater is located in the Karakum Desert, 270 kilometers from the city of Ashgabat. In 1963, drilling of exploration wells began on the Chaljulba structure of the Central Karakum group of hydrocarbon deposits. In 1971, a cavity filled with gas was discovered at a shallow depth. As a result of man-made destruction of the upper layers of the environment, a hole with a diameter of 60 m and a depth of about 20 m was formed. To reduce the uncontrolled hurricane release of gas in the Darvaza Crater (officially called the “Radiance of the Karakum”), specialists set it on fire. To this day, it continues to burn (for several decades), causing an environmental disaster in the region. The surface temperature exceeds a thousand degrees Celsius. The flames often reach 10-15 meters in height, lighting up the surrounding desert landscape, making it a unique and spectacular natural phenomenon. Geographic coordinates of the crater center are 40°15'08" north latitude and 58°26'23" east longitude.
Figure 1 — The Darvaza Crater, popularly called the “Gate of Hell”
Overall, the geology of Turkmenistan is diverse and dynamic, reflecting its location at the intersection of a number of tectonic plates, with a complex history of geological processes, tectonic activity and sedimentation. The country is geographically located in Central Asia and borders the Caspian Sea in the west, Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the east, Iran and Afghanistan in the south. One of the important geological features of Turkmenistan is the Caspian sedimentary basin, which is rich in hydrocarbon resources.
Overall, the geology of Turkmenistan is diverse and dynamic, reflecting its location at the intersection of a number of tectonic plates, with a complex history of geological processes, tectonic activity and sedimentation. The country is geographically located in Central Asia and borders the Caspian Sea in the west, Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the east, Iran and Afghanistan in the south. One of the important geological features of Turkmenistan is the Caspian sedimentary basin, which is rich in hydrocarbon resources.
Geophysical model of the structure of the Darvaza Crater.
A geophysical study of this region was carried out using remote technology Thermovision Tomography. The geothermal model of the environment has a characteristic deep structure. At the cross-section of the local field of block-fault structures in the Crater area, a dense block is identified, the southern part of which has a disjunctive fault of northeastern strike (Figure 2, fault structures are colored blue). The block has the shape of a ring structure, with individual zones of increased rock decompression located in its marginal parts. The formation of chambers at different depths in the environment creates large-scale reservoirs of light hydrocarbons. Fluids and gas emanations from great depths migrate to the surface along an inclined tectonic fault (Figures 3 and 4), forming individual local reservoirs with good impermeable Cover in anticlinal structures. Based on the thermal field pattern (Figure 5), it should be assumed that the Darvaza Crater has a connection with a powerful deep zone of natural gas concentration, large reserves of which can be located at depths of 1 km, 2.5 km and over 4 km. Increased pressure in the layers of the sedimentary cover formed an active process of gas diffusion in both horizontal and vertical directions of the environment.
Based on the geothermal situation, we can say with confidence that attempts to localize the flow of gas to the surface in the form of drilling horizontal wells or pumping water into near-surface cavities cannot lead to a significant reduction in the migration of light hydrocarbons.
Figure 2 — Volumetric (2.5D) map of local block-fault structures in the depth interval (1800–2160) meters according to LANDSAT satellite data.
Legend: 1 – TVT profile, 2 – Crater location
Figure 3– Model of block-fault structures along profile 2L
Figure 4– Model of block-fault structures along profile 5L
Figure 5– Models of block-fault structures (a) and normalized values of heat sources (b) along the 4L profile
Experts point out that in the last century, four emergency gushers at gas fields were extinguished, the most powerful of which is considered to be the Urta-Bulak field in Uzbekistan. To combat gas releases, earlier attempts were made to inject water into the gas-bearing formation and drill bypass wells, but this did not lead to success. Extinguishing uncontrollable gas fountains using underground nuclear explosions is one of the most striking practical examples. At the gas field an inclined hole was drilled in which the charge was placed at a depth of 1500 meters. Explosive impact was carried out in the fall of 1966. As a result, layers of the geological environment were destroyed, and the fountain of flame went out 22 seconds after the explosion.
In the “East Java region” (Indonesia), there are several sources of natural gas. They create burning crater vents as a result of gas leaking from underground reserves and igniting upon contact with oxygen.
"Fall of the Eternal Flame" in Chestnut Ridge Park (USA). The falls are a unique geological feature where natural methane seeps. Its ignition creates a flickering flame behind the falling water.
"Burning Mountain" located in Azerbaijan. The Yanardag hillside is burning for centuries due to natural gas leakage and ignition upon contact with air.
The scenic area of Wudalianchi in China is known for its unique landscape and includes 14 individual volcanic cones, including with the flaming mountain peaks.
These examples show that similar rare geological phenomena associated with burning vents, natural gas leaks and underground fires are observed in various parts of the world. While each geological feature has its own distinctive characteristics and origins, they share similarities with the "Gate of Hell" Crater in Turkmenistan in terms of the natural occurrence of gas fires and their impact on the environment. Problems and risks associated with geological exploration and production of hydrocarbons in many regions of the world still remain unresolved.
We believe that the given result of Thermovision Tomography on the Darvaza Crater (analysis of the geotectonics of the region and identification of migration paths of fluid-gas emanations) will allow specialists to understand the nature of this phenomenon and make the correct decision to stop the growing environmental disaster.
Prof. KAMIL Karimov,
Director of Research & Production Department,
Skygeotech DMCC, UAE