Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia:

V. V. Nikiforova, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, nikvalentina2010@yandex.ru
E. R. Romanova, Associate Professor–Researcher, Candidate of Economic Sciences
E. E. Grigorieva, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Economic Sciences

The article gives an appraisal of mineral wealth of the western areas in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – hereinafter, RS(Y). Western Yakutia holds 93% of all diamond reserves of the Republic. The major proven reserves occur in the Mirny Region (94% of all reserves lies in the primary deposit, 6% – in placers). Reserves of oil and gas are concentrated in Nepsko-Botuobinskaya and in Vilyuysk oil-and-gas fields where 31 commercial hydrocarbon deposits are discovered: natural gas, gas condensate, oil. Some reservoirs also contain extremely valuable gas of helium. The largest reserves of hydrocarbons are contained in 6 fields: Srednevilyuyskoye, Srednetyungskoe gas-condensate, Chayanda, Srednebotuobinsky, Tas-Yuryakhsky and Verkhnevilyuchansky oil-gas condensate (stocks of each of them exceed more than 100 bcm). Now 5 oil and gas fields are under development. On the basis of the results of this research, recommendations on practical economic use of natural resources of Western Yakutia are made, and priority lines of development are substantiated. The promising directions of social and economic development in the region according to the Strategy of Social and Economic Development for RS(Y) till 2030 is expansion of diamond and oil-and-gas extraction and processing industry in Western Yakutia. Going forward, gas-engine fuel production is possible at the local oil and gas fields. To this effect, reproduction of the supply of mineral raw materials as well as geological exploration and appraisal, and, accordingly, high capital investment are required.
The article is prepared in the framework of the research project under the state contracts with the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation: Development of Theory and Methodology for Arrangement of Social and Economic Systems in the Areas of the North, No. 26.8327.2017/8.9, and with the Academy of Sciences of RS(Y), No. 5327 dated August 8, 2017.

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