Tatarstan applies innovations to develop bitumen fields

Oil recovery in Tatarstan is compensated for by replenishing its reserves, which are by the year becoming increasingly hard to produce. The data was presented by the Tatnipineft, part of Tatneft, director Ravil Ibatullin at an international workshop Innovative Technologies in Geology and Development of Hydrocarbons. Owing to innovative technologies, the reserves earlier considered unconventional and unprofitable are now considered suitable for recovery.

With this in view, Ravil Ibatullin told about the course of pilot development of bituminous oil fields in Tatarstan. After Tatneft put in operation at the Ashalchinsk bitumen field a directional drilling tool, the decision was made to purchase another tool for well repair. To enhance productivity, application of a special solvent with steam injected into a well to liquefy bitumen is elaborated. Besides, negotiations with the Canadian Petrobank on holding experiments with use of internal combustion are underway. To do it, another 3 pairs of wells are planned to be drilled.

Ravil Ibatullin said building a primary bitumen processing plant was being elaborated on. It should allow produce 180 thousand tonnes of “synthetic oil” from 300 thousand tonnes of raw materials. Alongside, electrical energy and steam can be produced through cogeneration, which should increase processing effectiveness at the costly plant.