Background. Environmental policy in the Russian Federation has been developing through the following stages: from orientation to the maximum extraction of resources towards transition to their rational use. This transition was directly related to the goals and strategic objectives of the state, as well as the economic situation in the country. Raw materials continue to play a significant role in the structure of the country’s economy, which is a decisive factor in the development of environmental policy.

Aim. To analyze the environmental policy in the Russian Federation and to determine the role of natural resources in its formation and implementation.

Materials and methods. The current state of environmental policy in the Russian Federation was studied in relation to the formation and development of sustainable development concepts. The legislative basis and strategic documents regulating this sphere were analyzed. The author dis­tinguishes three stages in the formation of the concept of ecological development: crisis economy, ‘ecologization’ of the society, and provision of a balance. The current stage is associated with a re­sponsible attitude to natural resources and the environment, which is accompanied by a reduction in emissions into the atmosphere, modernization of production processes, elimination of accumu­lated damage, and restoration of ecosystems. Various formats of state–society and state–business relations are considered.

Results. The conducted analysis showed that the economic situation and globalization trends have a significant impact on the implementation of environmental policy. The widely spread cli­mate agenda has a mutually exclusive potential, both consolidating and divisive. The pooling of resources of several countries strengthens their positions, while the difference in the economic and technological development has a significant impact on their competitiveness.

Conclusion. The Russian Federation and Russian companies will not be able to stay outside the sustainable development agenda. On the one hand, the level of technological development and the availability of natural resources have a significant impact on sustainability. On the other hand, the founders of many large domestic companies include foreign partners who are involved in global­ization processes and international agreements. Therefore, significant adjustments to the current environmental policy may be required in the near future, as a result of the revision of strategies and alliances, obligations and relationships.

Introduction. The paper considers conditions conductive to the formation and location of oil and gas accumulations in the Turkmen sector of the South Caspian Basin.

Aim. Modeling of hydrocarbon systems of the Turkmen sector of the South Caspian Basin.

Materials and methods. Statistical generalization and systematization of the data and materials presented in reference literature, field sources, and archive data, as well as published works of Sh.F. Mekhtiev, I.S. Guliev, M.Z. Rachinskii, S.S. Dzhibuti, S.A. Aliev, V.Yu. Kerimov, V.V. Kolodiya, etc. Data modeling was performed using the PetroMod software.

Results. As a result of numerical modeling, the formation conditions of hydrocarbon systems and their main elements, i.e., oil and gas source strata (OGSS), reservoirs and seals, were determined. Oil and gas prospects were identified, and the main spatial and temporal patterns in the development of generation, migration, and accumulation processes of hydrocarbon fluids, as well as the formation conditions of traps were established. In addition, a map was created to illustrate potential prospective zones, objects, and “plays.” Oil-and-gas prospects were determined, and the main areas of oil-and-gas exploration in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea were substantiated.

Introduction. The conditions determining the distribution of abnormal formation pressures in the aquatic area of the Sakhalin shelf are analysed using boring data.

Aim. To analyse the genesis of abnormally high pore pressure (AHPP) or abnormally high formation pressure (AHFP) zones and identify the pore pressure heterogeneities of the Sakhalin shelf.

Materials and methods. Data systematization and statistical generalization, partial borrowing of materials from field data, reference literature and published materials. Modelling of the AHPP (AHFP) formation process was performed using the PetroMod software (Schlumberger).

Results. The study revealed the isolated AHPP zones of the Sakhalin shelf, related to the syngenetic AHPPs and typically encountered in facies that develop downward the regional dip and consist of deltaic sediments, formed subsequently in the environments of internal neritic (subsaline-aqueous and offshore-marine sediments) and middle neritic (shallow marine sediments) zones, i.e., in places with the large mass accumulation rate. From this position, the AHPPs (AHFPs) in the Paleo-Amur deltaic sediments of the Sakhalin shelf were studied. Various procedures and direct borehole measurements proved the sectional presence of AHPP (AHFP) zones. Within the limits of the Sakhalin shelf, an increase in the formation pressure is recorded in several boreholes, i.e., zones of abnormally high formation pressure (AHFP) are revealed. The process of forming AHPP (AHFP) should be modelled based on the knowledge about the compaction processes of rocks, as well as their initial, final and normal porosity, density and pressure.

Introduction. An analysis of the geological structure and gas and oil presence of the Arctic region in Western Siberia is carried out.

Aim. To assess the potential and undiscovered gas resources, as well as to forecast prospects and potential of explored reserves for 2023–2040.

Materials and methods. The geological structure and gas and oil presence specific to Arctic regions and regions of Western Siberian megabasin and megaprovince, including Yamal, Gydan, Southern-Kara with bays (shelf) and western part of the Yenisei-Khatanga, were analysed. In these locations, hydrocarbon reserves (HC) of non-associated gas, crude and condensate, HC accumulations in the volume of a sedimentary Jurassic-Cretaceous cover (Cenozoic upper regional seal), oil-and-gas and geostatistics, as well as the scale of layers and deposits, were assessed.

Results. The resources of Yamal-Kara and Gydan-Yenisei land and shelf regions were assessed. A forecast was made concerning the potential and undiscovered gas resources, as well as possible increments of explored reserves for 2023–2040. The comparative resource geostatistics of the land and shelf appears to be somewhat premature. However, according to most researchers, land undiscovered giants (>0.3 trillion m3) can be already excluded, while shelf supergiant gas fields are possible (unique ones are excluded). Nevertheless, their number can only be evaluated by prospecting and exploration in the most favourable structural and tectonic conditions.

Conclusion. The Yamal-Kara region can become the largest strategic gas production centre of both Western Siberia and Russia as a whole, while Gydan-Yenisei region can be a tactical centre.

Background. In this paper, available methods for determining the geometry and density of exploration networks used in operational planning are discussed, along with approaches to determining the permissible error limits in the assessment of geological indicators. The Kovdorskoye apatite and staffelite ore field was selected as a research object.

Aim. To determine the rational parameters of an in-mine sampling network for use in operational planning of phosphate ore mining.

Materials and methods. The research was carried out as part of a project on the development of a methodology for operational in-mine sampling of apatite and staffelite ores. Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using the methods of mathematical statistics and cartography.

Results. The conducted geometric autocorrelation and assessment of the anisotropy of variability in the content of components, which determine the quality of mineral raw materials, allowed the author to establish the rational parameters of an operational in-mine sampling network during the extraction of phosphate raw materials from the Kovdorskoye apatite and staffelite ore field.

Conclusion. The absence of a pronounced anisotropy in the content of P2O5 and CO2 in apatite and staffelite ores was established, which implies the feasibility of using a uniform in-mine sampling network. The parameters of such a network were determined, which confirm the need to sample the rock cuttings in each borehole.

Background. When calculating reserves using geostatistical methods, variographic analysis can occasionally encounter difficulties in determining the direction of the search ellipsoid, particularly in deposits with a lognormal distribution of the useful component. The search ellipsoid defines the main directions of mineralization anisotropy, thus comprising a key element in the process of interpolating grades into a block model. The correct interpolation of grades provides a reliable estimate of reserves.

Aim. To determine the influence of the orebody morphology on anisotropic directions.

Materials and methods. Data from a report on the technical and economic substantiation of the resource and estimation parameters of the Mnogovershinnoe gold deposit for 1975 were used, along with a database comprising catalogues of borehole coordinates, mining outputs, inclinometry and exploratory test data. Three-dimensional computer modeling was performed in the Micromine min­ing and geological information system. Using the example of the Verkhnee orebody of the Mno­govershinnoe gold deposit, statistical and geostatistical studies were carried out to calculate the reserves. The as-calculated reserves were compared with those estimated by a polygonal method and approved by the State Commission for Mineral Reserves (GKZ) USSR in 1975.

Results. The conducted comparison of the geological interpretation of the orebody under study, obtained by both wireframe modeling based on exploratory test data and the search ellipsoid constructed by variographic analysis, сonfirmed the influence of the orebody morphology on the axis directions of the minimal variability of mineralization. The orientation of the search ellipsoid was determined to be consistent with the geological interpretation of the orebody. Verification of the interpolated block model showed the estimate to be close to a reliable value. The comparison of the calculated reserves with those of 1975 showed their good convergence.

Background. The article considers one of the variants of the original planetary drilling organ, in which used multiple impacts on the mass to be destroyed. This makes it possible to improve the methods of sinking inclined and horizontal wells by significantly reducing the required feed force and reducing the energy intensity of bottom hole destruction

Aim. To investigate drilling methods and tools, which can be used to significantly reduce the radius of changes in drilling direction when creating inclined and horizontal wellbores.

Materials and methods. An analysis of patent information and its experimental verification under laboratory conditions.

Results. The main advantage of the analyzed drilling bodies is associated with their rock-breaking ability due to multiple shock pulses directed at an angle to the face surface. This allows the energy intensity of fracture and the required feed force in the axial direction to be significantly reduced, thus providing for larger wellbore diameters. A reduction in the axial length of the drilling body leads to a decrease in the radius of changes in drilling direction, thereby contributing to improved technologies of wellbore drilling, in particular, when creating horizontal wellbores.

Conclusion. Planetary rock-breaking bodies implement quasi-dynamic rock destruction by multiple shock pulses and spalling off rock pieces from an automatically formed wavy face surface. On this basis, modern technologies of drilling inclined and horizontal wellbores can be improved.

Background. The main deposits of Donbass and their mineral resource potential are considered.

Aim. To develop a strategy for the socio-economic development of Donbass under contemporary political and economic conditions, with a focus on the development of human capital and further integration with the Russian Federation, CIS, and friendly countries.

Materials and methods. A multipronged approach was used to define the contours, directions, and stages of the socio-economic development of Donbass.

Results. The conducted analysis of the current state of the mineral resource base of Donbass revealed the most significant types of mineral resources for Donbass economy. An economic estimate of the cost of mineral resources extracted in Donbass and their market demand was obtained. Various types of resources were ranked in terms of their significance for Donbass economy.

Conclusion. An approach to an integrated assessment of the expenses associated with the restoration of the mineral resource base of Donbass is proposed. In this respect, priority directions of economic activities are established.