Management of Technical and Economic Factors in the Concept of Recovery, Production, and Processing of Hydrocarbons

Abstract

This paper investigates the prospects for post-war revitalization of the Central Region of Donbas (CRD) through the establishment of an innovative technology park based on coal and hydrocarbon resource utilization, using the Toretska Mine of the State Enterprise Toretskugol as a case study. The study evaluates balance coal reserves within the mine field and analyzes existing and emerging technologies for the extraction and processing of hydrocarbon compounds. The Toretska Mine contains approximately 18.6 million tons of coal reserves, including 14.6 million tons of industrial reserves. With the current mining technology and an annual production capacity of 110 thousand tons, the estimated operational lifetime of the mine exceeds 130 years. In addition to conventional reserves, the deposit includes 20 coal seams with thicknesses ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 m, of which 11 seams have workable thicknesses of 0.25–0.5 m down to the −1500 m isogypsum level. The coal resources are primarily high-quality K and Zh grades, capable of yielding more than 350 valuable substances for industrial and agricultural applications. The paper highlights unconventional approaches to coal and methane extraction, including mining technologies for thin and very thin seams and methane recovery from depleted mine workings. Although stable profitability from thin-seam mining has not yet been demonstrated in practice, a comprehensive approach integrating advanced geotechnologies, hydrocarbon processing, and industrial symbiosis is proposed. Drawing on the experience of major energy enterprises, such as DTEK Energo, the creation of an innovative CRD technology park could enable additional value generation and contribute to sustainable regional recovery in the post-war period.