JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repo.agh.edu.pl/handle/AGH/102752

Adres wydawniczy: Kraków : Wydawnictwa AGH, 2021-
O czasopiśmie: https://journals.agh.edu.pl/jge/
ISSN: 2720-3581 e-ISSN: 2353-0790
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7494/jge
Poprzedni tytuł: AGH Drilling, Oil, Gas (2012-2020)

Journal of Geotechnology and Energy is a quarterly published by the Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas at the AGH University of Krakow, Poland. Journal is an interdisciplinary, international, peer-reviewed, and gold open access journal. is a continuation of a nonperiodic series Zeszyty Naukowe AGH – Wiertnictwo Nafta Gaz started in 1985. In 2012, the quarterly Wiertnictwo Nafta Gaz  was transferred into AGH Drilling, Oil, Gas and in 2021 into Journal of Geotechnology and Energy. As a result of this development, the thematic scope of accepted articles has been broadened.

New! Aktualny numer: 2025 - Vol. 42 - No. 4

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Access status: Open Access ,
A comprehensive designation of tailings storage dams – a case study of the sangan iron mine project in Iran
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2023) Maleki, Shaho; Khalilidermani, Mitra
Tailings storage dams are considered to be one of the most essential facilities in mining projects. In metal mines, after blasting the rocks, the blasted ore is transferred to specific industrial plants for processing operations. During such operations, a large amount of pollutant tailings are inevitably generated. Those tailings must be safely stored in previously constructed storage dams. In this research, a storage dam has been designed to store the tailings of the Iranian Sangan Iron Mine project. The geometry and capacity of the dam were designed to minimize the construction works and to maintain the stability of the facility. To assess the stability of the proposed storage dam, a numerical analysis was performed for both static and dynamic loading conditions. The results showed that the embankment is stable under these two different loading conditions. Hence, the proposed design can be successfully adopted for the construction of a tailings storage dam in the project. In addition, the methodology presented in this research can be used by geotechnic engineers to design safe tailings storage dams in mining projects.
Access status: Open Access ,
A geotechnical characterization for wind turbine construction
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Sharma, Sagarika
This paper explores the critical role of geotechnical aspects in optimizing the performance and resilience of wind turbine foundations. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive geotechnical investigations, including soil borings, in-situ testing, geophysical surveys, and laboratory analysis, to inform foundation design parameters. Remote sensing techniques aid in optimizing turbine layout design, while the collaboration between geotechnical and structural engineers ensures effective foundation design. Ultimately, the comprehensive characterization of wind turbine sites is essential for ensuring stability, reliability, and long-term performance, contributing to the sustainable growth of renewable energy infrastructure.
Access status: Open Access ,
A new »Emir« composite for the decolmatage of oil and gas layers after drilling and during deposit exploitation to increase the efficiency of hydrocarbon production
(AGH University of Science and Technology Press, 2022) Gubič, Igor Bogdanovič; Krupskij, Ûrij Zinovʹevič; Pavlunʹ, Mikola Mikolajovič; Vitenko, Vasilʹ; Feìčuk, Vitalij
A new effective composite »Emir« has been created, which reduces the swelling of clay minerals and cleans the near-well zone of oil and gas-saturated layers from residues of drilling fluid, technical and formational water, resin-asphaltene components and paraffin, thereby restoring the efficiency of the well. The composite has high cleaning characteristics and the ability to foam in the presence of highly mineralized waters (up to 250 g/l), oil products and mineral acids. It also forms both straight and reverse mobile water-oil emulsions, which is important for cleaning oil layers. Based on the results of testing the »Emir« composite in production conditions on gas and oil wells, it was concluded that the use of »Emir« allows the discharge of hydrocarbon fluids to increase from 20% to 50% or more. The »Emir« composite can also be used on »low-flow« wells which have been clogged or eliminated for geological and technical reasons, this makes it possible to significantly increase the recoverable reserves of hydrocarbons in various oil and gas-bearing regions, especially taking into account the small volumes of drilling and the low success rate of searching for new oil and gas fields.
Access status: Open Access ,
A new non-intrusive condition monitoring system designed to improve reliability of RCDs
(AGH University of Science and Technology Press, 2021) Machocki, Krzysztof; Marhoon, Zahrah; Amjad, Shaarawi; Sehsah, Ossama; Dixon, Tom; Mohammad, Jamal Ud-Din
Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is a technology that allows for precise wellbore pressure control, especially in formations with uncertain geomechanics. The Rotating Control Device (RCD) is a crucial part of the MPD equipment but is prone to failure. Therefore, a new condition monitoring system was developed to improve the reliability of RCDs and eliminate their catastrophic failures during MPD jobs. Non-intrusive sensors were selected during the design of this condition monitoring system. Sensors measure: vibrations, acoustic emissions, rotation, pipe movement, temperatures, and contamination level in the coolant fluid. The system can display the measurements in real-time to the operator, giving early warnings to prevent the RCD's catastrophic failures during the job. Additionally, the data is recorded to allow further processing and analysis using ML and AI techniques.
Access status: Open Access ,
Activation of a dewatering well with the skinaut clay mineral disintegration agent
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Macuda, Jan
The drilling of hydrogeological boreholes by rotary methods and with the use of drilling mud impairs the permeability of water-bearing rocks in the near-hole zone. This is mainly caused by the penetration of solids and mud filtrate into the pores or fractures of the drilled rocks. Consequently, the depression increases, and the hydraulic efficiency of the borehole drops, leading to the reduction of well productivity. As a means of improving the damaged permeability of rocks in the near-hole zone, a clay mineral disintegration agent called SKINAUT was developed and patented. To evaluate its effectiveness in industrial conditions, a test was carried out to activate a dewatering borehole for intaking water from loose formations at the Szczerców open cast. The applied chemical helped to decolmatate the pore medium and lower the hydraulic resistance of the borehole, resulting in a reduction in depression and a significant improvement of its hydraulic efficiency.
Access status: Open Access ,
An evaluation of the effectiveness of anomalous systems in gas subsidiaries (a case study of the Alborz Gas Company)
(AGH University of Science and Technology Press, 2022) Ghasemi, Fatemeh Sadat; Kazemian Talkhooncheh, Alireza; Lavasani, Mohammad Reza Miri
An anomaly is an unsafe condition or action that has the potential to cause an accident. These conditions, or unsafe practices in gas companies, play a very important role in the occurrence of gas leaks and fires. Any unsafe acts can lead to unpleasant incidents for citizens, their homes, and property. This study aims to increase the effectiveness of anomalous systems in the gas subsidiaries of Alborz province. To conduct this study, the Tripod Beta technique was used to draw a diagram of the analysis of gas accidents in homes in the Alborz province, and the hierarchical analysis method was used to assess the risk of injuries, casualties, and unintentional house fires. In the first stage, information on gas leaks, and fires were collected by reviewing the documents related to the winter events of 2020. Then the sum of the mentioned conditions was studied as a hypothetical model. In the second step, the mentioned model was analyzed using the Tripod Beta method, and the causes of the accidents were determined by the capability of the study method. The obstacles studied were technical safety regulations, and the creation of a safe environment. The primary reason attached to the technical safety regulations was the lack of proper understanding of valve openings and closing signs. Another immediate reason for the need to create a safe environment was the lack of safety equipment. The precondition for not understanding the open and closed sign of the valve, lack of sufficient knowledge, and the precondition for not using safety equipment, buying unsafe equipment, and the hidden reason for the lack of sufficient knowledge, lack of training, and the hidden reason for buying unsafe equipment, was the poor economic situation. The results of this study indicated that fire-related conditions are of the utmost importance in assessing the risk of unintentional house fires. Failure to pay attention to safety points while using gas-related equipment, the poor condition of the building, and more male residents have the most anomalies in causing gas company accidents.
Access status: Open Access ,
Analysis of hydrogen gas saturation in sedimentary sequences of Volyn-Podillya (Ukraine)
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Hubych, Ihor; Krupskyi, Yuii; Tsikhon, Serhii
With the aim of using hydrogen energy by the Ukrainian industry, the paper considers the general patterns of hydrogen distribution in the sedimentary sequences of Volyn-Podillya. The general features of the distribution of water-dissolved and sorbed gases in rocks within productive and water-saturated complexes are analyzed. The genetic relationships between individual components of natural gases have been established, which allows us to identify depth intervals where hydrogen predominates in the well section. The latter, when used for regional forecasting, makes it possible to establish zones, and thus directions for the search for hydrogen accumulations in the sedimentary cover in Volyn-Podillya.
Access status: Open Access ,
Analysis of the possibility of an incorrect shift of the mechanical index of a diaphragm gas meter working under vibration
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Hofman, Radosław
The article discusses the operation of bellows gas meters, commonly used to measure household gas consumption. It was noted that their testing and certification scope covers laboratory conditions, including work in vibration-free conditions, while vibrations occur in actual situations. It should be noted that the presented analysis is part of analyzing illegal gas consumption – UAG (unaccounted for gas), which is the subject of scientific research both in Poland and globally. The Oil and Gas Institute itself states [1] that it has received approximately 1,400 expert opinions, in which the gas meter user indicated that the counter had been skipped, while laboratory tests of the gas meter did not confirm any irregularities. The author, therefore, addresses the topic by asking whether the design of bellows gas meters with a mechanical counter may contain a design defect that may cause the counter to skip and then “disappear”. As part of the research, an analysis was made of whether vibrations had any impact on the operation of the gas meter, and after confirming the implications, the counter was dismantled, and an attempt was made to determine the causes of the impact of vibrations. Finally, it was indicated what values of forces and acceleration are sufficient to cause measurement errors, and it was recommended that the construction of the counter be modified to prevent this phenomenon from occurring. The conclusions show that if the gas meter is used outside the scope of its certification, the counter may jump. Still, this jump will not leave any mechanical traces, and the gas meter may ultimately function appropriately after the vibrations stop.
Access status: Open Access ,
Analysis of the potential heating of selected student residences at The AGH University Of Krakow using the earth’s heat
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2023) Sapińska-Śliwa, Aneta; Kunasz, Remigiusz; Śliwa, Tomasz
The aim of this study was to adapt the operating parameters of a geothermal heat pump system to the required average power needed to meet the energy for central heating and domestic hot water of selected student residences. Calculations of the average power required by the dormitories in the AGH University Student Campus were carried out, as well as modelling of the deep borehole heat exchanger for the heating load. The designed heating system for the student residences in the AGH University Student Campus using a deep borehole heat exchanger – is sufficient to cover the base heat demand for five four-storey dormitories. During the writing of the paper, the main problem was the low availability of articles on deep borehole heat exchangers. This is due to the continuous development and testing of new engineering ideas. Deep borehole heat exchangers can be use as new boreholes or wells prepared for liquidation. Also use of closed boreholes sometimes is possible, depending on project of liquidation. The future districy heating will use low-temperature heat carrier for heating and cooling. Use borehole fields as rockmass use for heat and/or cool ,storage will be common.
Access status: Open Access ,
Assessing the impact of expressway construction and operations on groundwater intake
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2023) Łukańko, Łukasz; Macuda, Jan
Wydział Wiertnictwa, Nafty i Gazu
Expressways represent significant public investments contributing to the socio-economic development of a country. However, their construction and operations exert detrimental effects stemming from the road surface onto the adjacent groundwater environment. To mitigate these adverse environmental consequences, extant legal restrictions are factored in during the expressway design phase, accompanied by the implementation of modern technical and organizational solutions. As a pivotal legal instrument, the environmental impact assessment is mandated in the procedural framework for obtaining approval on environmental conditions during expressway construction. The precision in evaluating the negative impact of an expressway on distinct environmental elements hinges on the depth of the assessment, influencing the nature and extent of planned protective measures. In many instances, supplementary environmental risk assessments are conducted to bolster the investment process. This study aims at discerning the specific impact of expressway construction on nearby groundwater intake. To achieve this, an exhaustive assessment of contaminant migration times from the land surface to the aquifer and within the aquifer itself was executed. Subsequently, a proposal for aquifer monitoring was formulated based on the findings to enable the early detection of potential shifts in groundwater quality, facilitating timely preventive interventions.
Access status: Open Access ,
Deformation bands – migration pathways or barriers for hydrocarbons in sedimentary rocks – mini review
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2023) Solecki, Marek
A mini review of the topic of deformation bands is presented in the paper. The concept of deformation bands is defined and their impact on the flow of fluids in porous sedimentary rocks is determined. Deformation bands are mm-thick low-displacement deformation zones which have intensified cohesion and lower permeability compared with ordinary fractures. This term was introduced in 1968 in material science, ten years later it appeared in the geological context. This microstructures can occur as barriers or migration pathways for hydrocarbons. Their role depends mainly on microstructural features, and they are also considered in reservoir modeling. The occurrence of deformation bands in Poland is also outlined and discussed - they have been described in Western Outer Carpathians (Magura and Silesia nappes).
Access status: Open Access ,
Determination of mechanical parameters of salts in the cyclic load processes corresponding to the operation of a storage cavern for hydrogen
(AGH University of Science and Technology Press, 2021) Polański, Krzysztof
The paper describes the results of laboratory tests of the strength of salt samples made as part of the HESTOR project in order to determine the mechanical parameters of salt. The tests were carried out using an Autolab 2000 apparatus which allows to simulate any load cycles. The tests were made by simulating the operation of the hydrogen storage cavern. In order to observe the differences in salt behavior depending on the sample medium being stored during the test, gases were supplied: nitrogen, as an analogue of natural gas, and helium as a hydrogen analogue.
Access status: Open Access ,
Displacement efficiency in tight sandstone based on fractional flow curve using relative permeability data
(AGH University of Science and Technology Press, 2021) Khlaifat, Abdelaziz Lafi
In tight gas sandstone, relative permeability is an essential special core analysis dynamic test that can be used to estimate injectivity, secondary recovery, production rate, reservoir simulation, residual gas saturation, and effective water management. Having about 65% of hydraulic fracturing fluid not to flow back and stay in the reservoir results in having the tight sandstone gas reservoir to involve multi-phase flow, namely water and gas. During the hydraulic fracturing job both imbibition and forcibly imbibition processes take place while during fracturing fluid cleanup and gas production drainage flow becomes dominant. The steady state flooding process was used to measure the relative permeability curves for a tight sandstone core sample collected from Travis Peak Formation at a depth of 8707 ft. The measurement process involved the performance of a series of steady state experiments with different gas-water injection ratios. The fractional flow curve has been plotted, based on the measured relative permeability, and used to calculate the displacement efficiency for flow through such tight porous media. The measurement showed relatively high irreducible water saturation (31%) and low residual gas saturation (6%). The measured gas relative permeability decreased slowly at a constant rate with increased wetting fluid saturation. The obtained fractional flow curve does not follow the s-shape behavior observed in a conventional reservoir. The results obtained showed that displacement efficiency can be enhanced by increasing water viscosity. Water viscosity can be increased by adding some polymer materials, however this is beyond the scope of this paper.
Access status: Open Access ,
Drilling mud influence on sandstone poroelastic parameters
(AGH University of Science and Technology Press, 2022) Knez, Dariusz; Rajaoalison, Herimitsinjo; Nkunzi, Donatille
Perhaps the most critical challenge faced during drilling operations is related to the stability of the well. Additionally, drilling mud plays a crucial role in wellbore stability, as one of its main uses is to support the wellbore wall during the drilling operation. However, ignorance of the effects of drilling mud on the mechanical properties of rock formation can also lead to well failure. The stability of the wellbore is also influenced by pore pressure during the drilling process. The analysis of changes in rock poroelastic parameters after drilling mud saturation was found to be useful regarding the abovementioned issues. Therefore, the measurement of the dynamic Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and Biot's coefficient of sandstone samples was carried out to determine their trends of variations with confining pressure in different conditions such as dry, water and drilling mud filtrate saturation. The findings indicate that both the dynamic Young's modulus and the Poisson's ratio of the sandstone rock increased after saturation with water and drilling mud filtrate, while the Biot's coefficient was reduced. Furthermore, the velocity of the P wave, the dynamic Young's modulus and the dynamic Poisson's ratio of the sandstone rock were proportional to the confining pressure, while the Biot's coefficient were inversely proportional to the confining pressure. The results imply that effective stress calculation can be influenced by changes in poroelastic parameters established from geophysical measurements, and risk management of wellbore stability stability was increased.
Access status: Open Access ,
Economic analysis model for lithium production by Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) method from a single well
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Zwierzyński, Adam Jan
The article presents an economic model enabling the assessment of the profitability of lithium extraction using the direct lithium extraction (DLE) method from geothermal brines from a single well. The model enables a preliminary simplified assessment of the profitability of DLE projects, which can be helpful in selecting the optimal locations for such projects and drilling production wells. The article also presents the critical role of lithium as a raw material for the decarbonization of the world economy, methods of its extraction and the economic prospects of the market for this raw material. It also presents exemplary DLE projects in the world.
Access status: Open Access ,
Elements of reservoir simulation for tight gas reservoirs with water influx
(AGH University of Science and Technology Press, 2021) Sowa-Zyzańska, Magdalena
At present, gas obtained from unconventional deposits plays an important role in the global economy as an energy factor. The simulation of the exploitation of this type of deposits is very complex and requires an individual approach for each case, which is extremely inspiring and interesting, therefore this article attempts to deal with the problem of modeling the extraction of natural gas from tight unconventional deposits. Extraction of tight gas requires the use of measures that stimulate this process and requires an unusual approach both at the stage of deposit recognition, its drilling and exploitation. Using computer programs, more and more accurate models are developed taking into account almost all known processes occurring in the deposits during exploitation, which significantly influences the better selection of parameters of wells and operations that intensify the production, and thus improves the results of exploitation.
Access status: Open Access ,
Enhancing building energy efficiency through the implementation of renewable energy sources
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Kowalska-Kubsik, Iwona
Considering increasing sustainability requirements and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving the energy efficiency of buildings has become a key challenge in the construction sector. One of the most promising approaches involves the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) as alternatives to traditional, high-emission energy systems. This paper presents an analysis of the potential for using RES – such as solar, geothermal, and biomass energy – to enhance the energy efficiency of residential and public buildings. The economic and environmental benefits of implementing modern energy technologies are discussed, along with examples of technical solutions and hybrid system models. Legal, technical, and social aspects related to the implementation of such systems are also considered. The results of the analysis indicate that well-designed and properly managed RES systems can significantly reduce the demand for primary energy and CO? emissions while increasing the energy independence of buildings.
Access status: Open Access ,
Evaluating capillary threshold pressure in caprocks for carbon storage
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Soomro, Ahsan Nabi; Anioł, Łukasz
Increased $CO_{2}$ emissions have resulted in extreme climatic variations and as the forecast is that the global temperature will hit its highest-ever level in the next five years. This comes at a time when there is an urgent need for effective and smooth means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Geological Sequestration of Carbon (GCS) is a new alternative: the effective and safe storage of $CO_{2}$ underground. The most critical part of the process is the leakage assessment and geological formation safety as a long-term sink of $CO_{2}$. Caprock is important in this process as an efficient long-time sequester for $CO_{2}$, as it is more permeable to $CO_{2}$ than geological reservoirs. Of all the other processes involved in trapping, the most effective in the immediate phase after the injection of $CO_{2}$ is capillary trapping. The $CO_{2}$ remains stored under the caprock until the critical pressure that initiates movement is achieved. Traditional methods, such as mercury intrusion porosimetry and core flooding experiments, do not tend to be replicated correctly in-situ and often complicate the process. Measurements made in such a manner usually overestimate threshold pressures for one of many reasons, be it late flow signal recognition in the low permeability of caprocks or incompletely saturated cores. For these purposes, in-situ-type novel equipment was developed for easy and direct capillary pressure measurement, core saturation, and effortless reproduction of in-situ conditions at higher pressures. This new technique measures the pressure in the outflow directly, so the values of threshold pressure it gives are very exact.
Access status: Open Access ,
Evaluation of operating conditions of filtration columns of relief wells sited within the »Żelazny Most« mining waste disposal facility
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Macuda, Jan
Regardless of geological conditions, the drilling of deep wells always disturbs the original state of tension in the drilled rock mass. In the course of drilling, the stability of the borehole wall is maintained by the drilling mud, and afterwards by the installed casing or filtration column, which usually are steel or plastic pipes with appropriately designed diameter and wall thickness. Casing columns in the wellbore should be sized so as to withstand the pressure of the rock mass without becoming deformed. Their strength parameters can be determined from the components of the primary state of stress in the rock mass and the magnitude of pressure occurring at the interface between the casing wall or filtration column wall, and the rock environment. In this paper, an analytical method based on the Coulomb–Mohr model was used to calculate rock mass pressures around the filtration column of relief wells situated in the slope of the »Żelazny Most« Mining Waste Disposal Facility (MWDF). Based on archival materials, a rock mass model was developed and was used for calculating undisturbed rock mass pressures at the filtration column wall and pressures coming from the gravel pack. The results obtained will be used for designing the filter pipe columns.
Access status: Open Access ,
Groundwater contamination by BTEX hydrocarbons and phenol at former gasworks sites in Bydgoszcz
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2023) Macuda, Jan; Łukańko, Łukasz
Wydział Wiertnictwa, Nafty i Gazu
This paper addresses the historical environmental impact of Bydgoszcz’s »Old Gasworks«, located on Jagiellońska Street on the Brda River - one of Poland’s oldest and longest-operating gas production facilities. Municipal gas derived from dry coal distillation served both municipal and industrial purposes until 1973. However, the production process, marked by significant nuisances, particularly affected the ground and water environment. Pollutants, primarily organic compounds such as aromatic hydrocarbons, including PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and BTEX hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), phenol and mineral oil, entered the environment through equipment failures, leaks, and the improper storage of wastewater and technological waste. One of the major sources of contamination was inadequately executed construction activities related to the dismantling of installations and the liquidation of sewage and waste storage tanks. This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive study focusing on hydrocarbon concentrations in groundwater at the »Old Gasworks« in Bydgoszcz and proposes effective methods for treating the water environment.