Sanoat Energetika Guruhi has commenced geological explorations at the Baysun deposit in the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan. The company estimates that the deposit contains 55 million t of category C1 shale ore.
Saneg plans to allocate US$10 million for topographical surveys, exploratory works and drilling wells over the next few years.
The company will provide comprehensive processing of the shale ore for the production of high quality synthetic oil, gas and electricity generation.
By the end of 2024, Saneg plans to launch four installations using circulating fluidised bed (CFB) combustion. Each plant will process 1.5 million t of shale ore per year, ensuring the annual production of 150 MW of electric energy, as well as 800000 t of synthetic oil and 300 million m3 of shale gas.
Within five years, Saneg plans to increase the number of CFB installations to 25 units, expanding the combined processing capacity to 37.5 million t of shale ore per year.
Tulkin Yusupov, Saneg’s CEO, said: “This project will provide additional energy resources for Uzbekistan, as well as contributing to the region’s overall economic development. After carrying out a study of the deposit’s geological structure, it’s possible that the overall reserve could rise to 400 million t.”
Mr Yusupov continued: "This ambitious project highlights Saneg’s long term commitment to maximising the extraction and processing of oil and gas deposits. Large reserves of oil shale in Uzbekistan are opening up new opportunities for the introduction of modern technologies. This project in Surkhandarya is a new approach for diversifying Uzbekistan’s fuel base, as well as a way forward for sustainable future development.”
Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/21112023/saneg-commences-shale-ore-project-in-uzbekistan/