Mathematical modeling of deformation processes at a gas and oil field in Central Asia

D.K. Kuzmin
Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5S/ 2025 p. 211-215

Abstract: The article analyzes deformation processes taking place at one of the gas and oil fields in Central Asia. Calculations of vertical and horizontal areal displacements of the earth's surface covering the entire territory of the field were performed using mathematical modeling methods. In addition to the displacements themselves, their gradients, i.e. the slopes and relative horizontal deformations, were determined, which helped to perform a formalized assessment of the level of potential geodynamic hazard for surface and underground infrastructure facilities located within the field. The calculations were performed based on the geomechanical poroelastic model of a "deformable reservoir", which has been successfully used in a number of oil and gas field projects over the past 25 years and demonstrated a high degree of consistency with the results of in-situ observations. The paper presents a full range of model calculations, including all the main components of the deformation field for a gas and oil field of this type for the first time ever. The model design considered all the latest improvements and refinements made to the geodynamic concept of a poroelastic medium, which made it possible to significantly increase the details and reliability of the results obtained. Analysis of the modelling results showed that areas with the maximum values that produce potentially dangerous deformations, are concentrated in the vicinity of the mining allotment boundaries. This serves as the basis to emphasize the need for optimization and possible reconfiguration of the geodynamic observation network during further development of the deposit in order to improve the forecast accuracy and prevent man-made risks at the stage of intensive operation.

Keywords: displacements of the Earth's surface, deformations of the Earth's surface, deformation processes, mathematical modeling, geodynamic hazard

Acknowledgments: The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

For citation: Kuzmin D.K. Mathematical modeling of deformation processes at a gas and oil field in Central Asia. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(6):211–215. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-6-211-215

Article info

Received: 07.09.2025

Revised: 23.10.2025

Accepted: 29.10.2025

Information about the author

Dmitry K. Kuzmin – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Researcher, Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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