In Russia, developed and began to use a tomograph with AI to search for minerals

In September 2024, it became known that scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) developed and put into operation an innovative mesotomograph with artificial intelligence for the study of rocks. The new device was installed at the Geosphere research center of Gazprom Neft in Tyumen, which will significantly speed up the process of finding and developing mineral deposits.

The mesotomograph is designed to study full-length core using X-ray tomography. The device allows to examine in detail the pore structure of the developed formation and create digital 3D models of the core. This technology is necessary for the selection of optimal production methods, especially in the case of hard-to-recover oil.

source = Gazprom Neft Press Service

The main advantage of the new tomograph is a significant increase in performance. If earlier operators could scan one meter of core per hour, then the new device is capable of processing four meters over the same period. This is four times higher than the indicators of existing Russian and foreign analogues.

In addition, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, the time to create a digital core twin has been reduced by 30 times. Previously, this process could take from a week to a month, but now the task is solved "with one press of the key," as noted by Vice-Rector for Science and Strategic Projects of TPU Alexei Gogolev.

The development of the mesotomograph is the result of the joint work of specialists from the Research School of Physics of High-Energy Processes of TPU and the Center for Advanced Research of the University. All technological solutions are patented.

The new tomograph was installed at Geosphere, Russia's first robotic center for Gazprom Neft to study geological rocks, fluids and cores. The use of this technology will allow the company to more efficiently select tools for finding and developing new deposits, as well as find solutions for increasing production at existing facilities.^[1]

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