AP26100917 – Comprehensive Study of Gas-Helium Deposits in Southeastern Kazakhstan: Identifying Prospects for Industrial Extraction

Objective of the project – Conduct a comprehensive study of helium gas deposits in the southeastern region of Kazakhstan, assessing their industrial potential and identifying promising sites for helium extraction.

Relevance: The relevance of the project is determined by the high potential of helium-bearing gases in Southern Kazakhstan and the insufficient exploration of deposits, which hinders the development of the helium industry in the country. Establishing a reliable raw material base and implementing modern geological exploration methods will help clarify helium reserves, identify promising sites for extraction, enhance the competitiveness of scientific organizations and the training of qualified personnel, as well as create conditions for commercialization and the development of Kazakhstan’s economy.

Scientific supervisor: Mashrapova Moldir Abdumuslimovna, PhD, Senior Researcher

Expected and achieved results:

1) Publication of articles in foreign peer-reviewed scientific journals..

During the project implementation, at least 2 (two) articles and/or reviews will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded, falling within the 1st (first) and/or 2nd (second) quartiles by impact factor in the Web of Science database and/or having a percentile of at least 65 (sixty-five) in the CiteScore database of Scopus. Additionally, at least 2 (two) articles or reviews will be published in a peer-reviewed foreign or domestic journal recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in the Field of Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CQASHE), with one of the articles categorized as multidisciplinary (having practical applications across multiple or interdisciplinary fields) relevant to enterprises in the real sector of Kazakhstan's economy. For domestic journals listed in category 1 of CQASHE that are not categorized as multidisciplinary, journals from lists 1 and 2 of CQASHE that are indexed in two or more categories will be considered.

- training of at least 1 (one) PhD or doctor in the relevant field. In this case, the dissertation may be defended no later than 2 (two) years after completion of the project;

2) Publication of monographs, books, and/or book chapters in foreign and/or Kazakhstani publishing houses;

Not planned.

3) Obtaining patents in foreign patent offices (European, American, Japanese), as well as in Kazakhstan or the Eurasian patent office;

Not planned.

4) Development of scientific and technical design documentation;

Not planned.

5) Dissemination of research results among potential users, the scientific community, and the general public;

The project results will be disseminated among potential users and the scientific community through publications and conferences.

6) other measurable outcomes in accordance with the requirements of the competition documentation and the specifics of the project. Additionally, this section specifies:

1) the field of application and target consumers for each of the expected outcomes;

1-«QazaqGaz» - a vertically integrated national gas company that operates the largest network of main gas pipelines in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

2- PI «National Laboratory Astana», Nazarbayev University.

The aforementioned companies, laboratories, and universities are the target consumers of the results of this project.

2) the impact of expected results on the development of the main scientific direction and related areas of science and technology;

The expected results of the project will significantly influence the development of geology, gas hydrodynamics, and gas geochemistry, contributing to a deeper understanding of helium migration and accumulation processes. The project will also enhance related fields such as ecology, gas extraction technologies, and engineering geology through new data and developed analytical methods.

3) applicability and/or possibility of commercialization of the obtained scientific results;

Results related to helium can be commercialized through the development of deposits, supply to high-tech industries, and the implementation of extraction technologies, which is particularly relevant in light of the global helium shortage.

4) social, economic, environmental, scientific, technical, multiplier and (or) other effect of the project results with justification;

The social impact includes job creation and regional development. The economic effect involves increased revenues from helium extraction, which is vital for high-tech industries. The scientific and technological effect lies in the development of new exploration and extraction technologies. The environmental impact is minimal, as helium is inert and does not pollute the environment. The multiplicative effect will manifest through attracting investments in related industries and enhancing the scientific potential of the country.

5) other direct and indirect results of the project with an indication of their qualitative and quantitative characteristics.

The direct results of the project include the identification of new helium gas fields and the development of extraction technologies. Quantitative indicators encompass the number of promising sites and helium concentration levels. Indirect results include the enhancement of scientific potential, job creation, attraction of investments, and regional development.

Within the framework of the project, a comprehensive analysis of stock materials was carried out, and water samples were collected, which are currently undergoing laboratory analysis. Following the comprehensive analysis of stock materials, the following results have been achieved:

– Patterns of helium distribution in rocks and aquifer horizons of the studied region have been identified.

– Main pathways of helium migration through fault zones, fractured rocks, and aquifer horizons have been determined.

– Innovative methodological approaches have been developed for geophysical, geochemical, and hydrogeological studies of potential helium deposits.

The scientific novelty of the project lies in the comprehensive systematic study of helium migration and accumulation, the integration of geophysical, geochemical, and hydrogeological data, and the development of practical recommendations for industrial exploration and extraction.