Underground storage facilities for helium concentrate in porous medium

Abstract

The gas of many fields in Eastern Siberia (Chayandinskoye, Kovyktinskoye, Sobinskoye, Chikanskoye, etc.) has a complex component composition with a high helium content. In order to realize the advantage of a unique raw material base, it is necessary to put into practice solutions for the industrial implementation of technologies for the extraction of helium, storage and transportation. One of the directions for the solution of these problems is the creation of temporary underground storage of helium concentrate in a porous medium next to gas chemical plants. This will ensure supply flexibility and reduce helium losses. The global demand for helium is continuously increasing from year to year and in the long term, a favorable situation will emerge on the global helium market for Russia, a positive effect from which can be achieved, provided the benefits of the raw material base are realized. A positive effect means not only the monetary effect, but also takes into account the formation of prerequisites for the development of new spheres of influence: access to new trading platforms and sales markets, the development of high-tech industries, basic and applied sciences, etc. In order to realize the advantage of the raw material base, Russia needs in a fairly short period of time to put into practice the decisions on the industrial introduction of gas separation technologies and underground helium storage.