COMPANY HISTORY

As part of the “Kazgeofiztrest,” the South Kazakhstan Geophysical Expedition (SKGGE) was established. Karpeev Ivan Pavlovich was appointed Head of the South Kazakhstan Geophysical Expedition.

This was an important stage in the formation of SKGGE as a leading geophysical organization in the region, capable of ensuring the simultaneous operation of several field teams in remote areas with high production performance.

Electrical prospecting by VES was carried out even in winter.
At the end of 1959, a decision was made to build a complex of buildings and facilities adjacent to the expedition’s territory for reserve basing of the Ministry of Geology of the USSR in case of war. They were completed by 1965.

The South Kazakhstan Geophysical Expedition was renamed the Kazakhstan Aero-Geological and Geophysical Expedition.

The expedition’s divisions were already conducting fieldwork across the entire territory of Kazakhstan, including oil- and gas-prospective provinces. Two air crews (Karatau and Taskorin) were established to perform integrated aeromagnetic and gamma-spectrometric surveys, a West Kazakhstan aeromagnetic crew to carry out high-precision aeromagnetic surveys mainly in oil- and gas-prospective areas, and an aero-electrical prospecting crew.

Aeromagnetic and aerogamma-spectrometric surveys were carried out using the ASG-48 aerogeophysical station, consisting of the AMF-21 fluxgate aeromagnetometer and ASG-48 spectrometers. From 1975, surveys began to be conducted with the more advanced AGS-71 SM station, equipped with the ASG-71 spectrometer and the high-precision nuclear magnetometer YAMP-3, developed at KazVIRG. Show more

Ashimov Rakhim Urtaevich was appointed Head of the Aero-Geological and Geophysical Expedition effective July 1, 1979.
He was born on September 1, 1938, in the Chuisky District of the Jambyl Region. In 1962, he graduated from the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Mining Engineer-Geophysicist. From 1962 to April 1971, he worked in field seismic crews of the Guryev Geophysical Expedition as an operator, geophysicist engineer, senior geophysicist, crew chief, and head of the production and technical department. From 1971 to 1979, he worked in the Ili Geophysical Expedition as a field crew chief and head of the production department. In 1978, he was appointed Chief Geophysicist.

In 1980, a computing center was put into operation, which fundamentally changed the process of processing primary field materials of all types of geophysical surveys conducted by the expedition, as data processing transitioned from paper media to digital computers. This expanded the scale of work with primary field materials and accelerated office-based data processing. Show more

Chebotok Konstantin Ivanovich served as Head of the Aero-Geological and Geophysical Expedition from 1982 to 1983.
He was born on June 17, 1937. He graduated from the Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute with a degree in Mining Engineer-Geophysicist. He began his career in 1959 as a geophysicist engineer in an airborne prospecting crew of the Ili Geophysical Expedition. From 1963, he worked as a senior geophysicist, chief engineer, and field crew chief.

Anatoly Ivanovich Sapozhnikov was appointed Head of the Aerogeophysical Expedition in 1983.
He graduated from the Geological Exploration Faculty of the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute with a degree in “Geophysical Methods of Prospecting and Exploration of Mineral Resources.” After graduating, he joined a field crew of the Ili Geophysical Expedition, where he worked as an engineer, senior engineer, chief engineer, and head of a gravimetric crew.

In 1992, the joint-stock company “Aerogeophysics” was established on the basis of the Aero-Geological and Geophysical Expedition. The new organization became the legal successor of the expedition and continued work in the field of aerogeophysical and geological exploration studies, preserving the accumulated experience, personnel, and technical potential.

By a Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, JSC “Geotex” was established, to which virtually all expeditions of Kazakhstan that were part of the State Geophysical Holding Companies were transferred.

Aerogeophysics JSC became part of Geotex JSC as the Department of Geological and Geophysical Works (DGGW).
Shagirov Bisenbay Bulatovich has been Director of Aerogeophysics JSC since 1996. Show more

The DGGW withdrew from Geotex JSC and, having merged with the Department of Geological and Scientific Works (DGSR, KazVIRG), was transformed into LLP “Scientific and Production Center GEOKEN,concentrating most of the non-seismic operations of the joint-stock company.

From 1998 to 2003, work was carried out to modernize the main modules of the ASOM/AGS system. A set of new programs for processing aerogeophysical data was developed. The experimental and methodological crew performed thematic work aimed at improving methodologies for field and office-based operations, methods of interpretation of geophysical survey data, summarizing the results of previously conducted geophysical surveys in various regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, compiling structural-tectonic maps for individual structural-formational areas, and modeling geological structures based on integrated geological and geophysical data.

The staff of the Aerocosmogeological crew carried out thematic work on improving methods for interpreting remote sensing data (satellite, aerial photographic, and radar), compiling aerocosmophotostructural schematic maps for individual sites, regions, and the entire territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The photogrammetric unit consisted of a group for preparing planimetric and elevation control for gravimetric surveys, a group for compiling scaled photo-schemes and photoplans, and a photo laboratory.

Marine magnetometers on deck
In October–November 2010, GEOKEN SPC LLP took part in the implementation of the project “Comprehensive Study of the Sedimentary Basins of the Republic of Kazakhstan” as one of the contractors. Show more

Work was carried out to create a database based on aerogeophysical survey materials of the republic’s territory, initiated back during the aerogeophysical expedition period. Magnetic field maps drawn on paper were converted into digital format.

GEOKEN SPC LLP successfully completed marine gravity surveys in the waters of the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea. The total survey area amounted to 115,000 sq. km, and the volume of completed gravimagnetic measurements exceeded 40,000 km. As a result of the completed studies, GEOKEN SPC LLP significantly expanded its practical experience in marine gravity exploration using gravimetric systems of various types and acquired technology for conducting gravimagnetic surveys both in open sea waters and in the complex conditions of the transit zone.

Within the framework of the project “Aeromagnetic Survey of Sedimentary Basins of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” in 2011–2012 GEOKEN SPC LLP carried out a complex of works in the West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, Atyrau, and Mangystau regions, as well as in the waters of the Caspian Sea.
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In 2014–2015, GEOKEN SPC LLP carried out a large-scale project on advance aerogeophysical surveying in preparation for extensive geological mapping works under GDP-200, covering several regions of Kazakhstan. Show more

GEOKEN SPC LLP carried out unique experimental and methodological geophysical works at the Barkhannoye site (Karaganda Region), for the first time in Kazakhstan applying aeromagnetic surveying using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The works included magnetic and gravimetric surveys on detailed grids. Magnetometry was performed in the format of an aeromagnetic survey using a UAV, marking the first experience of such technology application in Kazakhstan. Show more

GEOKEN SPC LLP jointly with Severo-Zapad LLC carried out electrical prospecting works using MT and AMT methods in the south and southwest of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Latin America. Magnetotelluric studies were conducted to investigate the geological structure of the region in order to identify prospective gas accumulation zones.

From 2017 to 2019, GEOKEN SPC LLP led an international consortium that successfully completed a major government project of the Geological Survey of India -“Multisensor Aerogeophysical Surveys in Prospective Areas.”
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To perform hydrographic surveys in shallow waters or remote locations where survey vessels cannot operate, GEOKEN SPC LLP for the first time used the autonomous unmanned system ASV EchoBoat. Show more

In 2020–2022, GEOKEN SPC LLP carried out a complex of regional geological and geophysical studies in the Shu–Sarysu sedimentary basin along a regional profile with a length of 430 km. The works included gravimetric, aeromagnetic, seismic, and electrical surveys, as well as the formation of integrated geophysical datasets and the construction of three-dimensional models of deep geological structure. Show more

In 2021, GEOKEN SPC LLP took part in an important international GIS project — the creation of the Atlas of Geological Maps of the Caspian Region at a scale of 1:1,000,000, providing digitalization and cartographic integration of gravity and magnetic data across the entire regional territory. Show more

In 2021–2022, GEOKEN SPC LLP as the leader of a consortium of domestic and foreign companies, carried out works within the first phase of the international project “Eurasia,” aimed at studying the deep structure of the subsalt deposits of the Kazakh part of the Pre-Caspian Basin. Show more

In 2021–2023, GEOKEN SPC LLP carried out comprehensive geological and geophysical studies of the Leontyev Depression aimed at refining its geological structure and oil and gas potential, including drilling of reference-parametric wells and laboratory core studies. Show more

GEOKEN SPC today is the only domestic company in Kazakhstan that possesses the most modern complexes for navigation support of works, hydroacoustic surveying, single-beam and multibeam seabed echo sounding, automated stations for continuous sea level monitoring, seismic-acoustic systems (sparker, boomer), profilers for studying the near-bottom section, quantum and proton marine magnetometers, side-scan sonars, pipe and cable route detectors, remotely operated unmanned vehicles, modern aircraft and transport vehicles, and many other advanced technologies.Show more