Andrey Kovalskii
Research Science Specialist
Aramco Innovations LLC - Aramco Research Center – Moscow
Andrey Kovalskii, Research Science Specialist, Aramco Innovations LLC (Aramco Research Center – Moscow, Russia)
Dr. Andrey Kovalskii is a geochemist, petroleum scientist, and materials scientist with over 30 years of experimental research experience. He holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Experimental Mineralogy of Russian Academy of Sciences, and an M.S. from Lomonosov Moscow State University. His extensive expertise spans the development of methods for mineral prospecting and extraction, synthesis of advanced nanomaterials, including hexagonal boron nitride nanostructures for biomedical and catalytic applications, and the development of mineral-like matrices for radioactive waste immobilization. Dr. Kovalskii has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and numerous patents while successfully leading and contributing to dozens of research grants. His professional journey includes senior research roles at institutions such as University of Science and Technology MISIS, Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, and currently at Aramco Moscow Research Center. He is highly proficient in operating and maintaining a wide array of advanced experimental and analytical equipment. Additionally, Dr. Kovalskii has a strong record of mentoring postgraduate students and delivering university-level lectures. His work consistently bridges fundamental science and practical technological solutions in hydrocarbons and ore minerals, energy, environment, and materials engineering.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Fuels and Molecules
To test this, a refined aqueous extraction protocol was developed to enhance the recovery of these mobile elements from challenging arid substrates like aridisols and sabkhas. The method was applied to 36 samples from the Arabian Peninsula, with analysis conducted via ICP-OES. All data were normalized to a dry-weight basis to ensure robust comparability between samples with differing moisture contents.
Our results identified significant lithium anomalies, with concentrations in some samples reaching 258% of the background mean. Strong positive correlations between Li-K (r=0.83) and Li-Mg (r=0.84) suggest their co-migration via saline groundwater. Crucially, lithium concentrations in sabkha soils were found to be up to twenty times higher than in typical aridisols, underscoring the critical role of local hydrology and moisture content in element enrichment.
The findings confirm that surface geochemistry in saline environments can serve as an effective indicator for subsurface mineral potential. The presented extraction technique offers a rapid and cost-effective tool for early-stage lithium prospecting, positioning saline soils as a promising frontier for sourcing strategic metals.
Co-author/s:
Makar Silaev, Associate Petroleum Engineer, Aramco Innovations LLC.
Andrey Bychkov, Consultant, Aramco Innovations LLC.
Dr. Ibrahim Atwah, Lead Geologist, Saudi Arabian Oil Company.
Peter Birkle, Senior Geological Consultant, Saudi Arabian Oil Company.
