Concentration of indicator minerals from oil reservoir rocks by high gradient magnetic separation

In the conditions of growing consumption of hydrocarbons and exhaustion of known fields, the development of new methods of exploration and evaluation of deposits, especially in complex geologic conditions, becomes especially urgent. This work is devoted to substantiation of application of high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) for concentration of indicator minerals in reservoir rocks as geochemical markers of deep oil. The object of the study were core samples of reservoir rocks of the Nerutynskoye field taken from depths of 2833.77−2833.97 m (K 3.2), 2920.86−2921.0 m (K 4.1) and 3911.14−3911.4 m (K 1.4). The studies confirmed the efficiency of VGMS for extraction of magnetic fraction and concentration of trace elements (vanadium, nickel, strontium, rubidium, titanium), which are important indicators of naphthidogenesis. The correlation between the content of these elements and the depth of occurrence of samples was established, which allows us to interpret geochemical changes in the section and their influence on the formation and migration of hydrocarbons. The revealed relationship between elemental composition and physicochemical conditions deepens the understanding of thermodynamic processes in the Earth’s crust and opens new prospects for exploration and development of oil fields in complex geological conditions. Concentration of trace elements by means of HGMS increases the accuracy of geochemical analysis and can become a promising direction for the search for deep oil.

Keywords: high-gradient magnetic separation, vanadium, nickel, trace elements; naphthidogenesis; deep-sea oil, cores, geochemical indicators.
For citation:

Aleksandrova T. N., Nikolaeva N. V., Kuznetsov V. V., Afanasova A. V., Romashev A. O. Concentration of indicator minerals from oil reservoir rocks by high gradient magnetic separation. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(11-1):220—239. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_111_0_220.

Acknowledgements:

The work was performed within the framework of the state assignment “Investigation of thermodynamic processes of the Earth from the position of hydrocarbon genesis at great depths” FSRW — 2024−0008.

Issue number: 11-1
Year: 2025
Page number: 220-239
ISBN: 0236-1493
UDK: 622.7
DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_111_0_220
Article receipt date: 14.08.2025
Date of review receipt: 08.10.2025
Date of the editorial board′s decision on the article′s publishing: 10.10.2025
About authors:

Aleksandrova T. N., Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of sciences, Professor, Head of the Mineral Processing department, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3069-0001; Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, St. Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line 2, Russia, e-mail: Aleksandrova_TN@pers.spmi.ru;
Nikolaeva N. V., Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7492-1847, Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, St. Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line 2, Russia, e-mail: Nikolaeva_nv@pers.spmi.ru;
Kuznetsov V. V., Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6159-316X, Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, St. Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line 2, Russia, e-mail: kuznetsov@vvalen.ru;
Afanasova A. V., Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8451-2489, Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, St. Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line 2, Russia, e-mail: Afanasova_av@pers.spmi.ru;
Romashev A. O. — Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3210-8000, Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg Mining University, 199106, St. Petersburg, Vasilievsky Island, 21 line 2, Russia, e-mail: Romashev_ao@pers.spmi.ru.

 

For contacts:

Nikolaeva N. V., e-mail: Nikolaeva_nv@pers.spmi.ru

Bibliography:

1. Litvinenko V., Bowbriсk I., Naumov I., Zaitseva Z. Global guidelines and requirements for professional competencies of natural resource extraction engineers: Implications for ESG principles and sustainable development goals. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2022, vol. 338, pp. 1–9. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130530.
2. Cherepovitsyn A., Kazanin A., Rutenko E. Strategic Priorities for Green Diversification of Oil and Gas Companies. Energies. 2023, vol. 16(13), p. 4985. DOI: 10.3390/en16134985.
3. Prischepa O. M., Kireev S. B., Nefedov Y. V., Martynov A. V., Lutsky D. S., Krykova T. N., Sinitsa N., Xu R. Theoretical and methodological approaches to identifying deep accumulations of oil and gas in oil and gas basins of the Russian Federation. Frontiers in Earth Science. 2023, vol. 11, pp. 1–35. DOI: 10.3389/feart.2023.1192051.
4. Petrakov D. G., Karmanskiy D. A. Comparison of Analytical and Experimental Methods for Determining Dependency of Permeability of Clayey Sandstones on Effective Pressure. International Journal of Engineering, Transactions B: Applications. 2025, vol. 38(11), pp. 2502–2510. DOI: 10.5829/ije.2025.38.11b.03.
5. Dengaev A., Shishulin V., Safiullina E., Palyanitsina A. Modeling Results for the Real Horizontal Heavy-Oil-Production Well of Mechanical Solids. Energies. 2022, vol. 15(14), p. 5182. DOI: 10.3390/en15145182.
6. Palyanitsina A., Safiullina E., Byazrov R., Podoprigora D., Alekseenko A. Environmentally Safe Technology to Increase Efficiency of High-Viscosity Oil Production for the Objects with Advanced Water Cut// Energies. – 2022. - 15(3). - 753. DOI: 10.3390/en15030753. 
7. Lure M. A. Sources of hydrocarbons, heterocomponents, and trace elements of abiogenic oil: properties and composition of deep fluids. Russian Oil and Gas Geology. 2020, no. 3, pp. 43–49. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.31087/0016-7894-2020-3-43−49. 
8. Bolshakova M. A., Sitar K. A., Kozhanov D. D. On peculiarities of composition and properties of ancient hydrocarbon source rocks. Journal of Mining Institute. 2024, vol. 269, pp. 700–707. [In Russ].
9. Timurziev A. Myth of power hunger from Habbert and ways of the decision of the global power problem on base of “Deepoil” project realization. Burenie & Neft. 2019, no. 1, pp. 12–21. [In Russ].
10. Chengzao Jia, Xiongqi Pang, Yan Song. The mechanism of unconventional hydrocarbon formation: Hydrocarbon self-sealing and intermolecular forces. Petroleum Exploration and Development. 2021, vol. 48, iss. 3, pp. 507–526.
11. Aleksandrova T. N., Kuznetsov V. V., Nikolaeva N. V. Potential trace element markers of naphthogenesis processes: modeling and experimentation. Journal of Mining Institute. 2024, vol. 269, pp. 687–699. [In Russ].
12. Prishchepa O. M., Lutskii D. S., Kireev S. B., Sinitsa N. V. Thermodynamic modelling as a basis for forecasting phase states of hydrocarbon fluids at great and super-great depths. Journal of Mining Institute. 2024, vol. 269, pp. 815–832. [In Russ].
13. Yakubova S. G., Abilova G. R., Tazeeva E. G., et al. A Comparative Analysis of Vanadyl Porphyrins Isolated from Heavy Oil Asphaltenes with High and Low Vanadium Content. Petroleum Chemistry. 2022, vol. 62, no. 1, pp. 83–93. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.31857/S002824212201004X. 
14. Ivanova Y. B., Semeikin A. S., Pukhovskaya S. G., Mamardashvili N. Z. Synthesis and Spectral and Coordination Properties of meso-Tetraarylporphyrins. Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry. 2019, vol. 55, no. 12, pp. 1888–1894. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.1134/S0514749219120115. 
15. Walters C. C., Isaksen G. H., Peters K. E. Applications of Light Hydrocarbon Molecular and Isotopic Compositions in Oil and Gas Exploration. Analytical Advances for Hydrocarbon Research. 2003, pp. 247–266. DOI: 10.1007/978−1-4419−9212−3_10.
16. Balitsky V. S., Balitskaya L. V., Bublikova T. M., Borkov F. P. Water-hydrocarbon inclusions in synthetic quartz, calcite, and fluorite crystals grown from oil-bearing hydrothermal solutions (experimental data). Doklady Earth Sciences. 2005, vol. 404(7), pp. 1050–1053. [In Russ].
17. Nefedov Y. V., Vostrikov N. N., Yashmolkin A. M. Impact of Tectono-sedimentation Factor on Prospects of Oil and Gas Potential of Sakhalin Offshore of Okhotsk Oil and Gas Province Established through Stochastic Seismic Data Inversion and Constructed Digital Paleotectonic Model. International Journal of Engineering. 2025, vol. 38(7), рр. 1726-–1736.
18. Lapidus A. L., Kerimov V. Y., Mustaev R. N., Movsumzade E. M., Salikhova I. M., Zhagfarov F. G. Natural Bitumens: Physicochemical Properties and Production Technologies. Solid Fuel Chemistry. 2018, vol. 52(6), pp. 344–355. DOI: 10.3103/s0361521918060071. 
19. Peters K. E., Fowler M. G. Applications of petroleum geochemistry to exploration and reservoir management. Organic Geochemistry. 2002, vol. 33(1), pp. 5–36. DOI: 10.1016/s0146−6380(01)00125−5. 
20. Kontorovich A. E., Dolzhenko K. V., Fomin A. N. Transformation of Terrestrial Organic Matter during Mesocatagenesis and Apocatagenesis. Russian Geology and Geophysics. 2020, vol. 61, no. 8, pp. 891–905. DOI: 10.15372/RGG2020116.
21. López L., Lo Mónaco S. Vanadium, nickel and sulfur in crude oils and source rocks and their relationship with biomarkers: Implications for the origin of crude oils in Venezuelan basins. Organic Geochemistry. 2017, vol. 104, pp. 53–68. DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2016.11.007.
22. Zhmodik S. M., Airiyants E. V., Belyanin D. K., Damdinov B. B., Karmanov N. S., Kiseleva O. N., Kozlov A. V., Mironov A. A., Moroz T. N., Ponomarchuk V. A. Native Gold and Unique Gold–Brannerite Nuggets from the Placer of the Kamenny Stream, Ozerninsky Ore Cluster (Western Transbakalia, Russia) and Possible Sources. Minerals. 2023, vol. 13(9), 1149. https://doi.org/10.3390/min13091149.
23. Aleksandrova T., Nikolaeva N., Kuznetsov V. Thermodynamic and Experimental Substantiation of the Possibility of Formation and Extraction of Organometallic Compounds as Indicators of Deep Naphthogenesis. Energies. 2023, vol. 16, 3862. DOI: 10.3390/en16093862.
24. Afanasova A. V., Aburova V. A., Prokhorova E. O., Lushina E. A. Investigation of the influence of depressors on flotation-active rock-forming minerals in sulphide gold bearing ore flotation. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2022, no. 6−2, pp.161—174. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2024_1_0_20. 
25. Yakovleva T. A., Romashev A. O., Mashevsky G. N. Digital technologies for optimizing the dosing of flotation reagents during flotation of non-ferrous metal ores. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2022, no. 6−2, pp. 175–188. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2022_62_0_175. 
26. Bazhin V. Y., Kuskov V. B., Kuskova Y. V. Processing of low-demand coal and other carbon-containing materials for energy production purposes. Inzynieria Mineralna. 2021. DOI: 10.29227/IM-2019−01−37.
27. Aleksandrova T., Afanasova A., Nikolaeva N., Romashev A., Aburova V., Prokhorova E. Investigation of the Possibility of Obtaining High-Purity Carbon Materials and Recovering Valuable Metals from Shungite Rocks. Minerals. 2025, vol. 15, p. 90. DOI: 10.3390/min15010090.
28. Höök M., Bardi U., Feng L., Pang X. Development of oil formation theories and their importance for peak oil. Marine and Petroleum Geology. 2010, vol. 27(9), pp. 1995–2004. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2010.06.005.
29. Wdowin M., Tarkowski R., Franus W. Supplementary Studies of Textural and Mineralogical Changes in Reservoir and Caprocks from Selected Potential Sites Suitable for Underground CO2 Storage. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering. 2013, vol. 39(1), pp. 295–309. DOI: 10.1007/s13369-013-0862-0.
30. Jegede T. O., Adekola S. A., Akinlua A. Trace element geochemistry of kerogens from the central Niger Delta. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. 2018, рр. 1587–1595. DOI: 10.1007/s13202-018-0448-1
31. Yudovich Ya. E., Ketris M. P. Fundamentals of lithochemistry. Saint Petersburg, Nauka, 2000, p. 479. [In Russ].
35. Kontorovich A. E., Burshtein L. M., Livshits V. R. The theory of naphthidogenesis: a quantitative model of the catagenetic evolution of aquatic organic matter. Russian Geology and Geophysics. 2021, vol. 62, no. 8, pp. 840–858. [In Russ].
33. Sean Langley, Andrew G. Gault, Alexandre Ibrahim, Yoshio Takahashi, Rob Renaud, Danielle Fortin, Ian D. Clark, F. Grant Ferris. Sorption of strontium onto bacteriogenic iron oxides. Environ Sci Technol. 2009, vol. 15, no. 43(4), pp. 1008–1014. DOI: 10.1021/es802027f.
34. Wentao Wang, Wenjun Zhang, Yuke Fan, Qu Chenchen. Facet-dependent adsorption of aluminum(III) on hematite nanocrystals and the influence on mineral transformation. Environmental science. Nano. 2022, vol. 9(6). DOI: 10.1039/D2EN00062H.
35. Shanshan Cao, Feifei Kang, Xin Yang, Zhen Zhen, Hui Liu, Rufen Chen, Yu Wei. Influence of Al substitution on magnetism and adsorption properties of hematite. Journal of Solid State Chemistry. 2015, vol. 228, pp. 82–89. DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2015.04.034.

 

Подписка на рассылку

Подпишитесь на рассылку, чтобы получать важную информацию для авторов и рецензентов.