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Tailoring Petroleum Reservoir Simulation Techniques for Modeling Uranium In-Situ Leaching Process

Society of Petroleum Engineers - SPE Caspian Technical Conference and Exhibition, CTC 2024
2024
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Conference Paper Description

Uranium is crucial to the nuclear fuel industry, with Kazakhstan providing about 45% of the global supply, mainly through in-situ leaching (ISL) mining methods. ISL involves injecting a leaching agent to dissolve uranium oxides, which are then extracted as a solution. Optimizing acid volumes for uranium extraction while minimizing environmental impact is essential for improving production efficiency. In this paper we introduce a solution using a high-resolution hydrodynamic simulator to model acid injection, enabling a detailed analysis of acid sweep efficiency at well and cell scales. We also developed industry-specific metrics, including pH, the relationship between the cumulative volume of solution injected (L) and the rock mass within a region (S), and acid-to-uranium ratio, for comprehensive evaluation. As proof of concept, the simulated pH of produced solution closely matches measured values, with minor deviations caused by unaccounted acid-rock reactions. The next step is to integrate a reactive transport model to improve chemical reaction accuracy. Custom Python scripts provide flexibility in managing injection schedules and acid concentrations. The framework tracks acid transport from injection to production wells, offering insight into reservoir dynamics. This work enhances uranium mining efficiency while promoting sustainable growth in the industry.

Bibliographic Details

Y. Umurzakov; A. Meiman; A. Nurkas; A. Kurmankulov; A. B. Bigeldiev; A. Kuvanyshev; B. Amangaliyev; M. Zhabagenov; A. Yorillo; T. Oppeneau

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

Energy

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