Exploration for Uranium

 Exploration for Uranium

ONGC has so far drilled more than 10,000 wells, many of which have shown the presence of uranium on GRS logs.  Secondary uranium mineralization at shallow depths is reflected on Spectral Gamma Ray Log or in its absence, by high gamma ray counts on gamma ray log, which is one of the essential logs of the logging suite, recorded in wells drilled for exploration/exploitation of hydrocarbons. Secondary uranium mineralization at shallow depths has been observed in several petroliferous basins in the world.

OEC has undertaken a project to analyze the well log data of ONGC to delineate locations of probable uranium mineralization in the sedimentary basins of India. Parametric wells are drilled at identified locations, cored and logged for Spectral Gamma Ray for confirmation of the presence of Uranium, amenable to extraction from host rock by In-Situ Leaching (ISL) technique. The cores, recovered from zones of interest, are analyzed in laboratories through geological, geochemical and radiological methods, for determining the actual Uranium concentration and its leachability.   OEC has entered into MoU with the Atomic Minerals Directorate, Hyderabad for these activities.

OEC has also undertaken drilling of shallow holes (up to 500 m) for collection of cores and logs to determine the presence of Uranium and other value added minerals. Studies, carried out so far, have helped in identification of some potential areas with appreciable presence of Uranium.  Designing of chemical reagents for in-situ leaching of uranium from sedimentary rocks is also planned. A comprehensive program for studying the well logs from Indian sedimentary basins has been taken up by OEC.