RESERVOIR ARCHITECTURE OF THE SOUTH TORTKUDUK URANIUM FIELD

Abstract

The uranium deposits hosted by Uyuk and Ikansk formations in the South Tortkuduk field (Chu Sarysu basin, Southern Kazakhstan) over the next two decades will be exploited by in-situ leaching/ in-situ recovery technology. Traditional reservoir and ore body mapping is based on lithological and/or more often empirically derived criteria such as expected thicknesses from reliable geological markers. Observations from Tortkuduk 18Y uranium deposits allowed proper visualization of sedimentary logs, which in turn was helpful in the determination of the depositional environment. Well-log correlations according to the depths and lithology allowed a better visual understanding of the local depositional systems. Comparison of interpreted fining-upward and coarsening-upward trends from the cross-sections suggest point-bar and tidal-dominated delta, respectively