Home – Home – Jornals – Russian Geology and Geophysics 2009 number 5

A probabilistic estimate of the global conventional recoverable oil resource was performed based on the concept of the Earth's sedimentary cover as a holistic system. A forecast for global oil production was made for the period till the end of the 21st century. It has been shown that the global oil production will most likely peak at 4.2-4.7 billion tons a year in 2020-2030. For that period, the top oil-producing regions in the world will be the Persian Gulf, West and East Siberia. The upstream sector at that time will turn its focus to the Arctic shelf. Annual oil production could be maintained at a level of 4.2-4.5 billion tons till the late 2040s.

The article deals with current problems of exploitation and pre-exploitation measures in oil and gas resource replenishment in Russia. Specific procedures are proposed to be taken at different levels of state administration for improving the efficiency of reserves replenishment. The public private partnership is suggested as one of the effective means to solve the problem. The level of the state's involvement in funding and management during regional exploration and prospecting survey is discussed. A systemic approach and a set of criteria for assessing the exploration success rate (at different stages) are recommended for use by the state, as subsurface owner, and for operating companies. In addition, several recommendations and action-oriented proposals are given for preparation of licensing programs that will ensure the preset rates of oil and gas reserves replenishment in the region.

This paper gives a review of oil and gas resource potential of the North Caspian petroleum province. A new potential for finding several giants and large-size discoveries exists, respectively, in the presalt and postsalt sequences. Recommendations for future directions in exploration targeting at postsalt deposits (Upper Permian-Triassic and Jurassic-Paleogene petroleum systems) are given. It is emphasized that, given adequate exploration techniques, the postsalt sequence may provide stable and commercial production for decades. Most of the prospects are located within nonlicensed area. Therefore, the future exploration activity will have to be implemented through special-purpose governmental projects, namely, state-funded integrated projects aiming at investigation of the individual petroleum regions and zones.

Aleksei Emil'evich Kontorovich, a titular member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, contributes very much to oil geology, in particular, to the foundation and development of the modern theory of petroleum generation and methodology of petroleum potential forecast.

According to recent data from seas and oceans, marine sediments have extremely uneven thicknesses varying from tens of meters to 15-20 km. Sedimentary material is localized mainly at three global levels: river-sea boundary (zero level, continental base of erosion), continental rise (3-5 km), and trenches (6-11 km). As a result of extremely rapid («avalanche») deposition in trenches, large amounts of organic matter accumulate in bottom sediments, thus providing their high petroleum reservoir potential. Sediments in areas of rapid sedimentation have a particular rheology, which causes them to move downslope hundreds of kilometers on the sea floor. Continental rise is a global area where gravitites accelerate, with their potential energy due to a depth difference of 3 to 5 km. Global-scale drift of sedimentary masses driven by eustatic sea level change produces very large deposition zones rich in oil and gas at the continental rise (global piedmont), i.e., at the second level. Predicted oil and gas fields of this kind have been discovered recently at sea depths over 3.5 km, which lie in stock for future development through the 21st century.

Available data on synthesis, input, and decomposition of organic matter (OM) in the water column and recent bottom sediments of the World Ocean are generalized. The most reliable values of OM production and masses in the ocean, the total supply of organic carbon, and the input of terrigenous OM with coastal erosion, river runoff, and eolian matter are estimated. Maps of fossilization coefficients, distribution, and accumulation of OM in recent bottom sediments of the World Ocean are presented. A numerical expression is proposed for the main circumcontinental pattern of OM accumulation in the ocean. The group and elemental compositions of living matter of the ocean, land, and the Earth as a whole and the organic composition of bottom sediments are briefly considered.

Oil and gas generation is a basic problem of geology and natural sciences, which is associated with energy resources as well as with the origination of life on the Earth. The evolution of hydrocarbons is controlled by the evolution of the biosphere and is an issue of phylogeny. Organic matter (OM) buried in sediments since the Early Precambrian consists mostly of phytoplankton, the main carrier of lipids producing hydrocarbons. Organic matter accumulates in marine sediments according to the law of periodicity. Middle Paleozoic fossilized OM is largely composed of zooplankton. Zooplanktonic OM, classified as sapropelites, had interfered with the process of oil and gas generation since its origin, e.g., tentaculites of the Domanik formation increased oil content. The inception of low-lipid macrophytes gave rise to introduction of humic OM into water bodies and formation of mixed-type OM. The larger the humic component in OM, the higher its gas potential. However, instead of replacing oil generation, enhanced gas generation had come on the scene since the Mesozoic, and their scales were approximately equal. The actual oil/gas ratio in sedimentary basins depends both on phylogenetic factors and on the evolution of each separate basin.

The paper deals with the main fundamental problem of oil and gas geology-compilation of a theoretical basis and elucidation of the mechanism of hydrocarbon pool formation. The temperature factor determining this mechanism is insufficient for the breaking of carbon-carbon bonds in organic molecules. It is shown that this process is provoked by the internal energy of the subsurface organic matter determined by unpaired electrons surrounding carbon nuclei. In natural processes, this phenomenon is realized as a result of sedimentary-rock consolidation on the subsidence of sedimentation basins, during subhorizontal microdislocations measured via Poisson's ratio and Protod'yakonov «arch». This effect can be reached on hydrofracturing. A possibility of fluid hydrocarbon migration beyond the modern-day oil and gas pools is discussed, thus demonstrating that there are no traces that would suggest oil migration. Hydrocarbon pools have been revealed in clayey rocks, both bituminous and OM-poor. It is shown that the exploitation of a new type of reservoir (bazhenite) with natural hydrocarbon pools as well as technogenic (newly formed) oil and gas pools in clayey, clay-siliceous, siliceous, clay-carbonate, and clay-siliceous-carbonate bituminous rocks will significantly increase oil production in West Siberia.

Considerable variations in depth zoning of dispersed organic matter (DOM) catagenesis are caused by various physical and geological factors. The evolution of a sedimentary basin (SB) implies successive changes in organization levels of this system. In the process of evolution the system structure is determined by the interaction of its subsystems. Any parameter of an SB (physical properties of rocks, degree of OM catagenesis, temperature, formation pressure, phase ratio of hydrocarbons) is governed by the processes running in the system. Variations of these parameters in space and time characterize the structure of the changing system. The intensity of lithification of terrigenous rocks, OM catagenesis, and HC generation in time is approximated by a curvilinear relation, which becomes asympthotic at a particular stage. In other words, these processes drastically decay 150 ± 50 Myr after the main sedimentation had completed. For an SB system with a natural set of main subsystems (mineral, water, organic, hydrocarbon), the age is less important (at least throughout the Phanerozoic) than the duration of the process. Analysis is given to the formation of vertical HC zoning, which includes all the processes observable within an SB. The relationship of events and qualitative temporal and spatial changes during these processes is considered.

Tectonics and petroleum potential of the underexplored East Arctic area have been investigated as part of an IPY (International Polar Year) project. The present-day scenery of the area began forming with opening of the Amerasia Ocean (Canada and Podvodnikov-Makarov Basins) in the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and with Cretaceous-Cenozoic rifting related to spreading in the Eurasia Basin. The opening of oceans produced pull-apart and rift basins along continental slopes and shelves of the present-day Arctic fringing seas, which lie on a basement consisting of fragments of the Hyperborean craton and Early Paleozoic to Middle Cretaceous orogens. By analogy with basins of the Arctic and Atlantic passive margins, the Cretaceous-Cenozoic shelf and continental slope basins may be expected to have high petroleum potential, with oil and gas accumulations in their sediments and basement.

The relationship between the petroleum potential of the West Siberian province and the Mesozoic to Cenozoic tectonic processes is analyzed. The studies were based on structural and isopach maps of seismogeologic megacomplexes compiled from generalized geological and geophysical data on the province at the Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics as well as on the results of interpretation of regional seismic CDP (common depth point) profiles. The main stages of formation of structures of different ranks and faults have been established. It is shown that the petroleum potential of the province was determined mainly by its structure and tectonic processes at the Cenozoic stage of evolution. At that time, the Koltogory-Urengoi megatrench formed, which became the main zone of hydrocarbon generation, as well as large positive structures-petroleum accumulation zones. Also, disjunctions originated, which served as channels for hydrocarbon migration from the oil source rocks of the Bazhenovo Formation to the main Neocomian and Aptian-Albian-Cenomanian petroleum reservoirs of the province.

The set of geological and geophysical features used to recognize paleorifts is not always complete. As a result, other negative tectonic elements having no favorable conditions for oil and gas generation may be misinterpreted as rifts. The aim of this study was to outline most important controversial aspects in distinguishing paleorift positions and to substantiate the necessity of taking into account a certain combination of their diagnostic features.

On the basis of complex research into the western part of the West Siberian Plate, a new scheme of the structure-formation zones of its basement has been developed and a new geological map of its pre-Jurassic basement has been compiled. Ophiolites and other mafic-ultramafic complexes (fragments of the oceanic Earth's crust) were studied. The most complete Late Ordovician ophiolite complex comprising a melange of serpentinites, gabbroids, plagiogranites, and basalt with jasper interbeds lies in the Shaim area. Weakly altered spinel lherzolites were also examined there. The research has revealed not only Ordovician but also Devonian basalts as well as gabbroid complexes (392 Ma, Sm-Nd dating). The Paleozoic geodynamic history of the region was terminated with collision, which was accompanied by tectonic piling and the intrusion of granite plutons, metamorphism, and formation of new continental crust. These crucial events, which consolidated Paleozoic complexes throughout the vast area of the future West Siberian megabasin, date from the Early Permian. The composition, age, and nature of granitoid plutons in western West Siberia were studied, and isochrons and isotope characteristics were obtained, which give an insight into both the genesis and age of granite plutons and their subsequent transformations.

The formation of the western margin of the Siberian craton in the Neoproterozoic is considered, with a focus on its transformation from a passive continental margin into an active one, accretion and collision processes, formation of island arcs and ophiolites, orogeny, and continent-marginal rifting. The evolution and correlation of sedimentary basins within fold-thrust belts of the Siberian Platform framing are considered. New structural and kinematic data on the Yenisei fault zone are discussed. On the basis of paleomagnetic data obtained for the structures in the zone of junction of the Siberian Platform and the West Siberian Plate, new models are proposed for the location of the Siberian craton relative to other paleocontinents and microcontinents in the Neoproterzoic. All these data provide a consistent evolution scheme for the western margin of the Siberian paleocontinent in the Neoproterozoic and constrain the position of the Siberian craton margin in Late Neoproterozoic (pre-Vendian) time.

The Barents Sea shelf is an attractive target as a prospective large petroleum province. Further development of geological and geophysical exploration in the area requires high-resolution biostratigraphic constraints and update stratigraphic charts. The zonal succession of Lower and Middle Jurassic assemblages of foraminifers and ostracodes of the Barents Sea fits well the division for northern Siberia based on correlated independent Jurassic and Cretaceous zonal scales on all main microfossil groups, of which some scales were suggested as the Boreal Zonal Standard. The stratigraphic range of the Barents Sea microfossil assemblages has been updated through correlation with their counterparts from northern Siberia constrained by ammonite and bivalve data. Joint analysis of foraminiferal and ostracode biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy of the sections allowed a revision to the stratigraphic position and extent of lithological and seismic units. The discovered similarity in the Lower and Middle Jurassic lithostratigraphy in the sections of the Barents Sea shelf and northern Siberia, along with their almost identical microfossil taxonomy, prompts similarity in the Early and Middle Jurassic deposition and geological histories of the two areas.

Devonian and Lower Carboniferous continental deposits in the south of the Siberian Platform formed in eight sedimentary basins localized within stable ancient land Angarida (Angaraland). Interbasin correlation of the stratigraphic units of these deposits was based mainly on analysis of paleontological data and marker horizons. It has been established that: (1) the Early and Middle Devonian flora of Angarida grew locally and only in its western part (Minusa and Rybinsk paleobasins); (2) in the Late Devonian, vegetation was dispersed over a vast area, as evidenced from the findings of its imprints in all existed sedimentary basins of continental lithogenesis; and (3) the Early Carboniferous in Angarida was the time of the flourishing of higher plants, which were abundant but poor in species. Lithologic benchmarks at different age levels of paleobasin sediments have been recognized. The most important marker horizons are composed of porcelain-like silicified tuffs, limestones with inclusions of brown chalcedony, calcilutites, salt rock, wax-like bentonitic mudstones, flint clays, tripolis, etc.

The generalized eustatic and tectonoeustatic models developed by the author are tested on Lower Cretaceous deposits of the eastern part of the Russian Plate. The models are applicable to facies analysis of sections of epicontinental basins with mainly slope sedimentation. They demonstrate possible variations in section lithology depending on the rate of eustatic changes and the intensity and direction of epeirogenic movements. It has been revealed that the Lower Cretaceous sections in the east of the Russian Platform formed as a result of the synchronous global eustasy and regional epeirogeny. Superposition of the global eustatic curve onto the Lower Cretaceous chronostratigraphic chart of the eastern part of the platform showed that global eustasy, periodically concealed by regional epeirogeny, played a crucial role in the Early Cretaceous history of the study area. Regional epeirogenic and eustatic curves were constructed. The epeirogenic curve demonstrates the contribution of vertical tectonic movements to the overall eustatic-epeirogenic result recorded on a regional eustatic curve. The latter was constructed from the analysis of the spatial and temporal changes in the stratigraphic position of formations and strata and transgressive surfaces ranking. Eustatic cycles of different ranks, from elementary (systems tracts) to regional scale, have been recognized. In the rank of largest lithostratigraphic units, three sequences are revealed: Valanginian (RP-1K), Upper Hauterivian-Upper Aptian (RP-2K), and Albian (RP-3K), which reflect the crucial stages of the Early Cretaceous evolution of the eastern Russian Plate. The eustatic-epeirogenic processes during accumulation of formations and strata from Early Berriasian to Late Albian (145.5-99.6 Ma) are considered. It is shown that the division of the studied composite section into sequences permits precise prediction of diverse solid minerals.

Results of complex geological, petrological, geochemical, and isotope-geochronological studies of Neoproterozoic postcollisional A -type granites of the Glushikha complex, Yenisei Ridge, are presented, as well as results of mathematical modeling. The localization, sizes, and depths of formation of magmatic bodies and the physicochemical conditions of the formation of granite intrusions and their magmatic sources are considered. The research is focused on the modeling of the thermal history of the formation and subsequent cooling of granites in the collision orogen. The modeling of heat transfer during the acid-magma intrusion was performed by the example of the Lendakha and Glushikha leucogranite plutons. With the combined methods of the modeling of heat transfer and the behavior of K/Ar isotopic system, the models for leucogranite pluton cooling have been verified for the first time. The time of formation and cooling of granite bodies is estimated, and a generalized geodynamic model for the formation of the Glushikha postcollisional A -type leucogranites is proposed.

The petrographic, petrochemical, and mineralogical compositions of the Kuvalorog Ni-bearing cortlandite-norite intrusion and endocontact leucodiorites hosting pyrope-almandine garnet are considered. Lamprophyre dikes with scarce pyrope-almandine garnet, first discovered in the massif, and plagioclase-pyroxene symplectites in garnet porphyroblast areas are studied. Judging from the petrography of rocks and the composition of inclusions rich in incompatible elements in the garnet, the mineral was produced by the reaction of orthopyroxene with the anorthite component of plagioclase at the subsolidus stage of formation of endocontact diorites. This reaction was probably favored by the fluid phase abundant in the parental magma of the Kuvalorog intrusion and, especially, in the zones near its contact with relics of terrigenous rocks, where it was produced as a result of the rock dehydration under the thermal effect of the intrusion.

We have measured the dielectric spectra of sand and bentonite mixtures with oil and saline water (NaCl solution) in the frequency range from 50 MHz to 16 GHz at 22 °C. The measured spectra were compared with predictions in terms of the generalized refractive mixing dielectric model (GRMDM), and the respective error was estimated as a check of the model applicability to describe oil-bearing formations. The results may be useful in developing new methods of electromagnetic logging.

Water salinity at shallow sea depths in shelf areas changes with depth, which causes respective conductivity changes. We discuss algorithms for computing monochromatic electric fields using the vector finite-element method with different realizations of depth dependence of conductivity. The algorithms have been applied to compute vertical conductivity patterns and to explore its influence on the electric field measured on the surface.

The fuel economy was estimated at boost trajectory of aerospace plane during energy supply to the free stream. Initial and final velocities of the flight were given. A model of planning flight above cold air in infinite isobaric thermal wake was used. The comparison of fuel consumption was done at optimal trajectories. The calculations were done using a combined power plant consisting of ramjet and liquid-propellant engine. An exergy model was constructed in the first part of the paper for estimating the ramjet thrust and specific impulse. To estimate the aerodynamic drag of aircraft a quadratic dependence on aerodynamic lift is used. The energy for flow heating is obtained at the sacrifice of an equivalent decrease of exergy of combustion products. The dependencies are obtained for increasing the range coefficient of cruise flight at different Mach numbers. In the second part of the paper, a mathematical model is presented for the boost part of the flight trajectory of the flying vehicle and computational results for reducing the fuel expenses at the boost trajectory at a given value of the energy supplied in front of the aircraft.

The results of experimental and numerical investigations of the peculiarities of flow around two identical cylindrical bodies of revolution of diameter D = 50 mm and the body aspect ratio λ = 5 with conical forebodies whose apex angles are θ = 40° and 60°, which are located above a horizontal surface in parallel with one another and with the flow, are presented for the Mach numbers М_∞ = 4.03, Reynolds numbers Re₁ ≈ 55⋅10⁶ m⁻¹, fixed distance from the surface Y = Δy/D = 0.96, and the gaps between their axes Z = Δz/D = 1.06−2.4. The peculiarities of three-dimensional turbulent separated flows realizing on the bodies and on the plate as well as the possibilities of predicting the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on the bodies on the basis of numerical computations within the framework of the Euler equations are considered.

The influence of small attack and sweep angles on the rolling moment variation at a supersonic flow around the bodies close to the bodies of revolution is considered. Based on the method of the differential hypothesis of locality the integral expressions are obtained for the derivatives of the rolling moment coefficient with respect to the attack and sweep angles. The norm of these derivatives is defined and the estimates for the norm are obtained.

The rate and amplitude of compliant coating deformation by turbulent pressure pulsations were calculated. Complex compliance determined by a 2D model has two components: along and across the coating. Dependence of the components of dimensionless compliance on the wavelength ⎯ coating thickness ratio was determined for 0.3 < λ/H < 30 and dependence of these components on the ratio of flow velocity to velocity of wave propagation was determined for 0.1 < V/C < 10.
Deformation amplitude and rate of surface displacement for the hard compliant coatings which can be used in practice were calculated within the range of 5-55 m/s for the water and air turbulent flow. The effects of the loss tangent and Poisson's ratio of the coating material were also studied.
It is shown that the mean-square displacement of their surface does not exceed the thickness of a viscous sublayer. However, the velocity of surface motion is comparable with velocity pulsations in a boundary layer near a wall. This can be a reason for drag reduction on a compliant wall. The calculated value of ratio between energy absorbed by the wall and energy dissipated within the flow because of drag was 10⁻⁴ for water and 10⁻⁶ for air. This estimate does not confirm the hypothesis explaining drag reduction by energy takeoff from the flow.

Results on visual studies of the flow structure in case of the round submerged jet in a narrow channel are presented. These studies were carried out for the laminar and turbulent flows. The typical large-scale structures and zones of intensive turbulent mixing were identified in the flow.

The structure of solutions of a stationary nonisothermal problem of the two-phase filtration of immiscible fluids is studied numerically. The character of the convergence of nonstationary solutions to stationary ones is investigated. It is shown that at different parameter values the solution may have an interval, where s(x) ≡ 0 or s(x) ≡ 1. The temperature effect on the structure of the solutions of the equation for water saturation is investigated.

Formation of rivulets on the surface of non-isothermal water film falling vertically over the heaters with different sizes and boundary conditions was studied experimentally. The distances between rivulets were measured depending on Reynolds number, heat flux density and film path (a distance between the lower edge of a film-former nozzle and the measurement point of film flow characteristics). The breakdown of solitary waves at liquid film heating was revealed. Four zones of film path influence on rivulet formation were distinguished.

The investigation of the sedimentation of particles of a dense polydisperse suspension in the plate centrifuge was carried out based on numerical simulation. It was shown that the reason for the nonmonotone behavior of the sedimentation velocity dependence on particle size is the action of different mechanisms of the particles interaction. The appropriateness of the formula  for measuring the sedimentation velocity of particles of a dense polydisperse suspension in the plate centrifuge was examined.

The processes of solution and hydrate formation behind a shock wave of moderate amplitude were studied experimentally in water with bubbles of nitrogen - carbon dioxide mixture at different initial static pressures in the medium and surfactant concentrations. It is shown that these bubbles do not affect significantly the processes of solution and hydrate formation behind a shock wave during the considered periods. The hypothesis about partial hydration of nitrogen from the gas mixture at intense formation of carbon dioxide hydrate was suggested for the conditions, when the pressure behind the wave is less than the equilibrium pressure of nitrogen hydrate formation at a given temperature.

The computer model of the initial stage of condensation processes is developed. The stochastic processes of adsorption, surface diffusion, and desorption occur on the 70×70 lattice of adsorption vacancies. The model was tested by an example close to water vapor sorption on a conventional crystal surface. Computed results demonstrate the processes of nucleation, growth of crystals, and developed condensation. Computations were carried out for various adsorption energies. Results showed that with decreasing energy of adsorption the character and rate of nucleation and subsequent condensation vary. With decreasing energy of adsorption the probability of nucleation of islets on substrate reduces, the filling of the next atomic layers on islets occurs earlier than the filling of the substrate, the growth rate of islets in height increases as compared to condensation of a continuous film, and the growth rate of area of islets decreases. There is a typical energy of adsorption at which the growth rate of islets in height reaches its maximum. At a further drop of adsorption energy, there is a growth of islets only in height, the growth rate, however, reduces. The phenomena revealed in computations illustrate the mechanism of origin of columnar and filamentary crystals.

It has been experimentally proved that heat transfer at boiling appears to be the problem with the conjugated boundary conditions. Heat transfer and critical heat fluxes at boiling depend both on physical properties of the boiling liquid and on the number of characteristics of the heat transferring wall.
Various experimental data of the problem of boiling liquid with various physical properties have been analysed. To eliminate or minimize influence of the properties of the cooled wall on the value of critical heat transfer, the data obtained at boiling on the thick cooled wall only from the stainless steel or nichrome are considered. To eliminate effect of capillary forces specific linear size of heat transferring wall satisfied the condition

Numerical simulation of convective-radiative heat transfer in an enclosure with a heat source in the presence of heat-conducting walls of the finite thickness was carried out. The distributions of both local (streamlines, temperature fields) and integral (mean Nusselt numbers at typical interfaces) characteristics describing specific features of the investigated process in a real range of the variation of determining parameters were obtained. The radiation influence scales at thermal modes formation were determined. The effect of transient factor on the fields development of both hydrodynamic and thermodynamic characteristics was analysed. Correlation ratios for determining the mean Nusselt number at solid-gas interfaces were obtained depending on the Grashof number.

It was demonstrated that by analysing temperature field of the outer surface of the spacecraft it is possible to determine its orientation - directions to the principal heat sources within the Solar system, including the Sun and the nearest planets. For the spacecraft with the simplest configuration, this problem can be solved analytically. In the real spacecraft there shall be simple heat-sensitive elements with weak thermal bond with the spacecraft and high sensitivity to the changing outer thermal conditions. The experiment has proved that the accuracy of orientation determination with the use of such temperature measurement reaches 5 ang. min at the rotation velocity of the spacecraft up to 30 ang. deg /min.

The effect of repetition time of powerful rectangular pulses on their dynamics was studied numerically on the basis of hydrodynamics of superfluid turbulence. The plane, cylindrical, and spherical situations are considered. Calculations were carried out without mass transfer (the second sound), which corresponded to experimental conditions. Numerical results are compared qualitatively with experimental data.

Herein the fundamentally new unit for production of silicate refractory melts with the use of high-concentrated heat fluxes is considered. Mathematical model describing temperature fields in skull layer in the process of the plasma flow interaction with the particles of refractory silicate material has been developed. Typical numerical results of temperature distribution in various sections of the skull layer are presented. Numerical and experimental data have been compared, and their fair agreement is obtained.

The mathematical model of heat transfer between the counter flows of gas and porous batch  of anthropogenic wastes in the working area of a shaft furnace is presented. This model considers chemical transformations in separate batch components and radiation heat transfer between the gas and solid phases. Results of calculations are presented.

Numerical analysis of hemispherical values of absorptive, transmitting, and reflective abilities of a flat layer and absorptivity of a sphere is presented in this paper depending on the optic thickness and refractive index.

Successful experience of RSC "Energy" and SPA "Iskra" in the development of carbon-carbon extension for oxygen-kerosene liquid fuel rocket motor has been summarized. Methodological approach that served to completion of carbon-carbon extension development in full and at comparatively small expenses has been described. Results of practical application of carbon-carbon extension for liquid fuel rocket motor 11D58М have been presented within the framework of International Space Program "Sea Launch".

Thermal diffusivity of polycrystalline tantalum at the temperatures range from 293 to 1800 K has been measured by the laser flash method with the error of 2−4 %. Thermal conductivity has been calculated with the use of reference data on density and heat capacity. Approximating equations and tables of reference data for the temperature dependence of heat transfer coefficients have been obtained; comparison with the published data has been carried out.