Page 144 - RusRPTApr24

was soon plugged and forgotten. Almost two decades later, subsequent exploration at the site found geologic reservoirs containing nearly pure hydrogen gas. Today, the resource is being used to provide power to the Malian village of Bourakébougou. Last year, researchers found what may be the world’s largest geologic hydrogen deposit to date in France’s eastern Lorraine region. The unexpected discovery further boosted interest in its clean energy potential. Based on current understanding, Ellis said there is likely to be about 5 trillion metric tonnes of geologic hydrogen in Earth’s interior, although most of this is likely to be too deep or too far offshore to be economically recovered. Nonetheless, Ellis said that just a few% of geologic hydrogen recovery might well be enough to supply all projected demand for 200 years.
9.1.11 Metallurgy & mining sector news
Russia’s helium production may reach 75mn cubic meters by 2030. Helium from West Siberian and Far Eastern fields will cover 45% of global demand, according to projections provided by the press service of the Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Russia’s helium production potential is focused on the territory of West Siberia and Far East, where 35 helium-rich gas fields have been discovered.
9.1.12 Transport sector news
● Trains
Moscow is preparing to spend billions to upgrade its vast eastern railroads to speed up the burgeoning cooperation with China.
Vladimir Putin outlined plans to boost annual shipping capacity on Russia’s two longest railroads, the Trans-Siberian and Baikal-Amur Mainline, to 210 million tons by 2030, in an address to the Federal Assembly on Feb. 29 ahead of next week’s presidential election. The rail lines handled about 150.5 million tons of goods in 2023, according to the Kommersant newspaper.
The 8,700 miles of railway tracks, also known as the Eastern Polygon, constitute a vital artery for Russia’s foreign trade, linking its western regions with the Pacific Ocean and China. Yet the routes have long been beset by logistical issues and currently operate below their nominal capacity, despite booming trade with Asia. The railroads in 2023 handled about 13% fewer goods than their stated capacity, Kommersant reported Feb. 28, citing documents from the Transportation Ministry.
The program for expanding the BAM and Trans-Siberian Railways has risen in price by another trillion rubles, writes Kommersant. The third stage of expansion from the current 180mn tonnes to 270mn tonnes in 2032 was approved this week at a meeting of commissions chaired by First Deputy
144 RUSSIA Country Report April 2024 www.intellinews.com