Prospects lithium extraction from produced water in oil and gas fields of Ukrainian

Abstract

Summary The article considers the urgency of the search for new lithium raw materials caused by a sharp increase in demand for this element. The authors consider the world’s reserves of lithium raw materials and the main genetic types of origin of these deposits. The authors explored the world’s leading lithium manufacturers and the main technologies used. The main suppliers of lithium raw materials are Argentina, Chile and the United States. These countries produce mainly lithium carbonate, which is obtained mainly from hydromineral raw materials. The article identifies Ukraine’s interest in developing its own lithium deposits. Stocks of lithium raw materials in Ukraine are calculated mainly for pegmatite deposits. According to this amount of lithium reserves, Ukraine ranks first in Europe. The authors highlight that in Ukraine lithium reserves are concentrated not only in pegmatites but also in associated reservoirs of oil and gas fields. Ukraine has been developing oil and gas fields for a long time, as a result of which the extracted water together with the hydrocarbon sometimes reaches 95% in terms of water content. Due to geological and hydrogeological conditions, the waters of these deposits have high mineralization and with rather significant concentrations of lithium. At the experimental deposits, the lithium concentration ranges from 10 to 20 mg/dm3, but these values can vary greatly. These indicators are approximate but clearly indicate that the associated watershed is a promising resource. For efficient and rational use of this type of lithium raw material deposits, the authors identify the main tasks facing modern geologists