Experts Determine Ways To Preserve Permafrost Affected By Hydrocarbon Production

Praskovia Pavlova, assistant professor at the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering (SibFU), has proposed a prototype of the device capable of reducing the destructive effects of oil and gas wells operation in permafrost.

“Our device can be in demand by enterprises manufacturing thermal insulation in Tyumen, Moscow, or Krasnodar Territory. The downhole thermoelectric module will facilitate controlling over the cooling and heating. Cooling will reduce the heat flow in the well by reducing the heat flow in the annular space, thus, permafrost soils will be less susceptible to thawing,” noted Praskovia Pavlova

Challenges in the development of oil and gas fields in permafrost are usually associated with thermal imbalance. The very first attempt to build wells in permafrost in the early 30-50s of the 20th century led to a serious problem – thawing of the soil. The solution proposed by the SibFU researchers will, on the one hand, save fragile tundra soils, and, on the other hand, help avoid crushing of the downhole equipment during repair or downtime of wells due to freezing.

Yenisey Siberia REC presented the device at the scientific and research conference on climate change and permafrost thawing within the main program of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Council in 2021-2023. More than 200 experts, scientists, economists, engineers, and builders from Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan and other countries attended the event.