The Federal Agency for Subsoil Use held an auction for licenses to conduct geological exploration, prospecting, and extraction of mineral resources at three sites—Vostochny-Vorgamusyursky, Adaksky, and Povarnitsky—located in the Timan-Pechora oil and gas province.
The winner of the auction was LLC "Geoistina." The company will implement a scientific and technical program aimed at in-depth study of the genesis of Earth's structural formations. This program, developed and supported by Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, includes drilling an ultra-deep well in the Timan-Pechora oil and gas province, with a projected depth of 8,000 meters.
Historical Context. In 1962, the USSR became the first country in the world to adopt a comprehensive scientific and technical program titled "Earth's Subsurface Exploration and Ultra-Deep Drilling." This initiative began in May 1970, with the drilling of the Kola Superdeep Well near Zapolyarny, Murmansk Region. By 1991, drilling was halted at a record depth of 12,261 meters, a record that still stands.
The well was primarily drilled for scientific purposes but revealed unexpected findings, such as anomalously high concentrations of gold and silver at depths of around 10 kilometers. These discoveries demonstrated that geochemical migration processes resulting in the formation of ore deposits occur not only near Earth's surface. Similar findings were reported at other wells in the Soviet Union, which numbered thirteen in total. However, most of these wells were created for practical purposes, such as exploring oil and ore deposits, rather than for studying the lithosphere.
In Russia, ultra-deep drilling has continued, focusing on assessing the feasibility of extracting hydrocarbons and platinum group metals at certain deposits. However, rigorous scientific research has not been a priority.
Similar activities have been conducted in Austria, Sweden, China, Qatar, and the United States. In the U.S., the "DeepTrek" national program has been adopted, which incorporates space technology as a tool for ultra-deep drilling.
The publication "Forpost," upon learning that Saint Petersburg Mining University is developing and supporting research for a new ultra-deep well in the northeast of the Komi Republic, asked the university's rector why this project is significant for an educational institution and what results are expected:
- First and foremost, I want to emphasize that this well is a scientific research project. It is similar to the Kola Superdeep Well in this regard, but it is being implemented in a completely different context. In the early 1970s, 16 research laboratories simultaneously operated at the Kola site. By the early 1990s, equipment failures began to occur. Despite findings such as 78 grams of gold per ton—when extraction is feasible at 1,2 grams per ton—the reserves were deemed non-recoverable. Methane was also found at great depths, challenging the biological origin theory of hydrocarbons. However, there was a lack of equipment and technologies to adequately study core samples and Earth's internal processes. At that time, it was impossible to fully understand "what makes the Earth tick." Funding ceased in 1995. Unlike the U.S. and China, Russia started regressing in validating the abiogenic hypothesis of oil, ore, and inert gas formation.
- What is this hypothesis?
The so-called traditional theory of the formation of peat, coal, oil, and gas—essentially all our energy sources—is well-known. Lush tropical forests were buried under rock layers over time, decomposed, and voilà—trillions of barrels. There is even a debate between proponents of flora, supporting the plant-based theory, and fauna enthusiasts, who argue that hydrocarbons originate from ancient dinosaurs and oceanic plankton.
In 1866, French chemist Marcellin Berthelot proposed that oil formed in Earth's depths from mineral substances. He even synthesized hydrocarbons from inorganic materials.
In 1876, Dmitri Mendeleev delivered a sensational lecture at the Russian Chemical Society, proposing that during orogenic processes, water infiltrates deep into Earth through cracks and fractures in the crust. There, it reacts with iron carbides to form iron oxides and hydrocarbons. These compounds then rise to upper layers, saturating porous rocks and forming deposits.
The carbide or abiogenic theory of oil formation from inorganic matter was later confirmed by astrophysicists. Spectral analysis of Jupiter's atmosphere revealed carbon-hydrogen compounds, which can only result from synthesizing organic substances from inorganic ones.
– There's a simple truth: "In science, the unexpected result matters more than the expected one." Still, what do you hope to see or prove?
- A year ago, the China National Petroleum Corporation began drilling an ultra-deep well in Xinjiang. Chinese scientists aim to study Earth's internal structure and evolution while gathering data for geophysical research. A secondary goal is to find new sources of mineral resources. Results are already tangible—new oil and gas fields have been discovered in the Tarim Basin at depths exceeding 8,500 meters. Xinhua News reports that 400 million tons of oil and 400 billion cubic meters of gas have been identified in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
In Central China, 300.2 metric tons of gold were recently discovered at a depth of two kilometers, and researchers estimate that reserves at depths exceeding three kilometers could surpass 1,000 tons. All of this has been achieved through China’s "Technical Innovation Program.
- But that’s the practical goal. The university's mission, after all, is science...
- Certainly. However, we are part of a state committed to sovereign policies. Today, we hear claims from pseudo-environmentalists, who worship "green energy"—and as you can see, the consequences for German industry are evident—as well as from alarmists declaring that oil reserves will run out in 20–30 years. These statements suggest that our country is on the brink of collapse. At the same time, look at the scale of Novatek’s liquefied natural gas production or the advances made by Titan in polypropylene production. Natural resources are our competitive advantage, but it's vital not to lag behind in this race.
We must study the energy potential of the lithosphere. This includes clarifying the nature of geophysical anomalies and predicting the existence of new deep hydrocarbon deposits, both in the upper crust and in zones below global trap volcanic eruptions.
We need practical confirmation of the theoretical and laboratory research conducted at the university’s scientific centers regarding the role of molecular hydrogen in global diffusion seepage processes occurring across surface and deep geospheres. This could enable us to view hydrogen as a key element, playing a decisive role in a wide range of natural phenomena.
Our studies have already confirmed that hydrogen is a crucial energy source and a life-supporting element for numerous microorganisms in the depths of the geosphere. Confirmations obtained in well conditions could not only establish hydrogen as a viable natural resource but also contribute significantly to new knowledge about the genesis of organic oil and gas and the role of hydrogen-based microorganisms in this process. This could cast serious doubt on claims about the "depletion" of hydrocarbons.
- But why the Mining University and not a major oil company?
- The answer lies in the previous question—because our focus is science. At the Mining University’s Centers, we have numerous modern instruments capable of obtaining reliable scientific results both directly at the well and during subsequent experiments. We possess advanced methods for core sampling and analysis. The university has accumulated tremendous intellectual potential, composed of experts in this field.
Another important factor is experience. For over 50 years, our drilling teams have been working in Antarctica. They achieved the breakthrough of Lake Vostok, known worldwide, and today we are searching for a site for a drilling rig at another station, Progress. This means we aim to drill not only in Komi, 30 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, but also on the other side of the Earth. As is known, the Earth's crust is closer to the core at the poles.
I am absolutely convinced that only one thing drives progress—human curiosity. Both my colleagues and I are deeply intrigued by what is truly happening on the planet, the genesis of typical structures, and its evolution. I am certain that this journey will bring many unexpected discoveries.
