Evolution law of physical parameters and hydrate reservoir productivity under multi-stage depressurization

Abstract

In the process of gas hydrate depressurization production, the reasonable depressurization rhythm and depressurization amplitude have significant impact on improving production and reducing engineering geological risks. Considering the basic stability of the reservoir, this study constructs mathematical models of gas hydrate decomposition kinetics, multiphase flow in the reservoir, and the disintegration and migration of rock matrix particles containing hydrates. Based on actual data from the first trial production in Japan's Nankai Trough, the validity of the model has been verified. The study analyzed changes in reservoir physical properties and productivity under multi-stage depressurization conditions. The influence of different pressure reduction rhythms on productivity changes and the evolution laws of porosity, permeability and saturation over time and space were discussed. The research disclosed the multi-stage depressurization mode can modulate the decomposition rate and sand production rate of natural gas hydrates through the progressive reduction of reservoir pressure, guaranteeing production capacity while attaining sand production control and minimizing the risk of blockage, thereby striking a balance between production efficiency and sustainability. This study provides a crucial theoretical basis for the design optimization of natural gas hydrate depressurization extraction schemes. The research outcomes not only guide the parameter configuration optimization during depressurization but also offer scientific support for establishing production prediction models.

Keywords

Natural gas hydrate / Reservoir physical properties / Depressurization / Capacity forecasts / Sand production

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Na Wei: Writing-review & editing. Chao Zhang: Writing-original draft, Validation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Li Zhou: Formal analysis. Shenghui Zhang: Writing-review & editing, Formal analysis. Shouwei Zhou: Writing-review & editing. Liehui Zhang: Writing-review & editing. Jinzhou Zhao: Writing-review & editing. RichardB.Coffin: Writing-review & editing. Bjørn Kvamme: Writing-review & editing.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors Shouwei Zhou and Lieui Zhang are Editorial Board Member and the Editor-in-Chief for Petroleum and were not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. The other authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgements

The project is supported by National Key Research and Development Program (Number 2023YFC2811002), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Number U20B6005-05), 111 Project (Number D21025), Open Fund Project of State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation (Number PLN2021-01), and High-end Foreign Expert Introduction Program (Number G2021036005L).

References

[1] C. Zou, Z. Yang, R. Zhu, G. Zhang, L. Hou, S. Wu, S. Tao, X. Yuan, D. Dong, Y. Wang, L. Wang, J. Huang, S. Wang, Exploration, development and theoretical technology progress of unconventional oil and gas in China, Acta Geol. Sin. (6) (2015) 979-1007, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0001-5717.2015.06.001.

[2] F. Ning, J. Liang, N. Wu, Y. Zhu, S. Wu, C. Liu, C. Wei, D. Wang, Z. Zhang, M. Xu, Z. Liu, J. Li, J. Sun, W. Ou, Characteristics of natural gas hydrate storage in China, Nat. Gas. Ind. 40 (8) (2020) 1-24, https://doi.org/10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2020.08.001.

[3] N. Wei, R. Bai, S. Zhou, P. Luo, J. Zhao, Y. Zhang, J. Xue, Development strategy of China's deep-sea gas hydrate under the target of peak carbon, Nat. Gas. Ind. 42 (2) (2022) 156-165, https://doi.org/10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2022.02.017.

[4] L. Liu, Z. Sun, L. Zhang, N. Wu, Y. Qin, Progress in global gas hydrate development and production as a new energy resource, Acta Geol. Sin. 93 (3) (2019) 231-255.

[5] C. Ji, G. Ahmadi, D. Smith, Natural gas production from hydrate decomposition by depressurization, Chem. Eng. Sci. 56 (20) (2001) 5801-5814, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(01)00265-2.

[6] J. Zhao, D. Shi, Research on natural gas hydrate mining methods, Min. Res. Dev. 27 (3) (2007) 32-34, https://doi.org/10.13827/j.cnki.kyyk.2007.03.013.

[7] F. Ning, G. Jiang, L. Zhang, X. Wu, Y. Tu, Analysis of key factors affecting well wall stability in gas hydrate formations, Petr Drilling Technol (3) (2008) 59-61, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-0890.2008.03.014.

[8] K. Yamamoto, T. Kanno, X. Wang, M. Tamaki, T. Fujii, S. Chee, X. Wang, V. Pimenov, V. Shako, Thermal responses of a gas hydrate-bearing sediment to a depressurization operation, RSC Adv. 7 (2017) 5554-5577, https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA26487e.

[9] N. Wu, H. Zhang, S. Yang, J. Liang, H. Wang, X. Su, Z. Lu, S. Fu, G. Zhang, J. Lu, A preliminary study of natural gas hydrate formation system in the Shenhu Sea of the South China Sea, Nat. Gas. Ind. (9) (2007) 1-6, https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1000-0976.2007.09.001.

[10] J. Oil, T. Ikawa, M. Seki, M. Matsuzawa, T. Kanno,Operational overview of the first offshore production test of methane hydrates in the Eastern Nankai Trough, in: Offshore Technology Conference, 2014.

[11] K. Yoshihiro, F. Tetsuya, S. Akihiko, A. Koya, N. Motoyoshi, M. Yoshihiro, Y. Koji, N. Jiro, Key findings of the world's first offshore methane hydrate production test off the coast of Japan: toward future commercial production, Energy Fuel. 31 (3) (2017) 2607-2616, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b03143.

[12] J. Li, J. Ye, X. Qin, H. Qiu, N. Wu, H. Lu, W. Xie, J. Lu, F. Peng, Z. Xu, C. Lu, Z. Kuang, J. Wei, Q. Liang, H. Lu, B. Kou, The first offshore natural gas hydrate production test in South China Sea, China Geol. 1 (1) (2018) 5-16, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2018003.

[13] C. Lu, X. Qin, J. Sun, R. Wang, J. Cai, Research progress and scientific challenges in the depressurization exploitation mechanism of clayey-silt natural gas hydrates in the northern South China Sea, Advan. Geo-Energy Res. 10 (1) (2023) 14-20, https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2023.10.03.

[14] H. Oyama, J. Nagao, K. Suzuki, H. Narita, Experimental analysis of sand production from methane hydrate bearing sediments applying depressurization method, J. Mining Mat. Proc. Inst. Japan 126 (8/9) (2010) 497-502, https://doi.org/10.2473/journalofmmij.126.497.

[15] M. Yang, Y. Gao, H. Zhou, B. Chen, Y. Li, Gas production from different classes of methane hydrate deposits by the depressurization method, Int. J. Energy Res. 43 (10) (2019) 5493-5505, https://doi.org/10.1002/er.466.

[16] T. Huang, Q. Li, R. Li, W. Pang, G. Chen, Experimental simulation of depressurization mining in type I hydrate reservoirs, Adv. Chem. Eng. 41 (8) (2022) 4120-4128, https://doi.org/10.16085/j.issn.1000-6613.2021-2124.

[17] C. Liu, Y. Li, L. Liu, G. Hu, Q. Chen, N. Wu Q. Meng, Integrated simulation experimental system for drilling and production of natural gas hydrates and preliminary experiment on depressurization method for production, Nat. Gas. Ind. 39 (6) (2019) 165-172, https://doi.org/10.3787/j.issn.1000-0976.2019.06.019.

[18] L. Liu, Y. Li, X. Zhang, D. Luo, C. Liu, Simulation experiment of state evolution in natural gas hydrate systems caused by depressurization production, J. Eng. Geol. 29 (6) (2021) 1916-1925, https://doi.org/10.13544/j.cnki.jeg.2021-0695.

[19] Y. Zhang, C. Liu, L. Liu, P. Chen, Z. Zhang, Q. Meng, Low-field NMR observations of changes in sediment pore structure and permeability due to hydrate generation, Mar. Geol. Quat. Geol. 41 (3) (2021) 193-202, https://doi.org/10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2021031501.

[20] S. Yin, D. Wang, Z. Zhang, H. Chai, Permeability prediction model of marine fine-grained sandy hydrate reservoirs, China Offshore Oil Gas 34 (3) (2022) 98-104, https://doi.org/10.11935/j.issn.1673-1506.2022.03.012.

[21] D. Marinaki, N. Varotsis, C. Perissoratis, Gas hydrate dissociation affecting the permeability and consolidation behavior of deep sea host sediment, J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 23 (2015) 55-62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2015.01.012.

[22] S. Li, G. Li, N. Wei, X. Li, Q. Lyu, Comparative study of permeability experiments and fractal modelling of quartz sand containing methane hydrate, N. Energy Prog. 8 (4) (2020) 264-271, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.2095-560X.2020.04.003.

[23] J. Lu, Y. Xiong, D. Li, D. Liang, G. Jin, Y. He, X. Shen, Experimental study on sand production and sedimentation during depressurization mining of non-diagenetic hydrate reservoirs, Mar. Geol. Quat. Geol. 39 (4) (2019) 183-195, https://doi.org/10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2019012301.

[24] Z. Li, Y. Gu, Z. Li, W. Meng, H. Zhang, D. Wang, G. Ding, Discussion on depressurization mining and sand production test of methane hydrate, China Shipbuild. 60 (4) (2019) 146-154, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-4882.2019.04.016.

[25] G. Han, T. Kwon, J. Lee, T. Kneafsey, Depressurization-induced fines migration in sediments containing methane hydrate: X-Ray computed tomography imaging experiments, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 123 (2018) 2539-2558, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014988.

[26] J. Lu, Y. Xiong, D. Li, X. Shen, Q. Wu, D. Liang, Experimental investigation of characteristics of sand production in wellbore during hydrate exploitation by the depressurization method, Energies 11 (7) (2018) 1673, https://doi.org/10.3390/en11071673.

[27] J. Lu, Y. Xiong, D. Li, D. Liang, G. Jin, Y. He, X. Shen, Experimental study on sand production and settlement during depressurization mining in non-diagenetic hydrate reservoirs, Mar. Geol. Quat. Geol. 39 (4) (2019) 183-195, https://doi.org/10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2019012301.

[28] T. Yu, Y. Liu, Y. Song, Experimental study on sand production characteristics in natural gas hydrate deposits, IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci. 446 (2020) 052056, https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/446/5/052056.

[29] X. Chen, D. Espinoza, Surface area controls gas hydrate dissociation kinetics in porous media, Fuel 234 (2018) 358-363, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.07.030.

[30] Z. Jarrar, K. Alshibli, R. Raoush, J. Jung, 3D measurements of hydrate surface area during hydrate dissociation in porous media using dynamic 3D imaging, Fuel 265 (2020) 116978, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116978.

[31] K. Heeschen, S. Abendroth, M. Priegnitz, E. Spangenberg, J. Thaler, J. Schicks, Gas Production from methane hydrate: a Laboratory Simulation of the multistage depressurization test in Mallik, Northwest Territories, Canada, Energy Fuel. 30 (8) (2016) 6210-6219, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b00051.

[32] Y. Zhao, W. Hu, X. Dou, Z. Liu, F. Ning, Experimental investigation on the geological responses and production behaviors of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments under various hydrate saturations and depressurization strategies, Appl. Energy 374 (2024) 123952, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123952.

[33] T. Lv, X. Li, Z. Chen, D. Sun, Y. Zhang, K. Yan, J. Cai, Experimental investigation on the production behaviors of methane hydrate in sandy sediments by different depressurization strategies, Energy Technol. 6 (2018) 2501-2511, https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.201800453.

[34] M. Yousif, H. Abass, M. Selim, E. Sloan, Experimental and theoretical investigation of methane-gas-hydrate dissociation in porous media, SPE Reserv. Eng. 6 (1) (1991) 69-76, https://doi.org/10.2118/18320-PA.

[35] M. Yousif, P. Li, M. Selim, E. Sloan, Depressurization of natural gas hydrates in berea sandstone cores, J. Incl. Phenom. Mol. Recognit. Chem. 8 (1) (1990) 71-88, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01131289.

[36] N. Ceyhan, M. Parlaktuna, A Cyclic steam injection model for gas production from a hydrate reservoir, Energy Sources 23 (5) (2001) 437-447, https://doi.org/10.1080/009083101300058444.

[37] N. Goel, M. Wiggins, S. Shah, Analytical modeling of gas recovery from in situ hydrates dissociation, J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 29 (2001) 115-127, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0920-4105(01)00094-8.

[38] G. Moridis, Numerical studies of gas production from class 2 and class 3 hydrate accumulations at the Mallik Site, Mackenzie Delta, Canada, SPE Reservoir Eval. Eng. 7 (2004) 175-183, https://doi.org/10.2118/88039-PA.

[39] H. Zhang, Y. Feng, B. Liu, X. Zhang, C. Zhou, Numerical simulation of sand production in natural gas hydrate formation by depressurization, Sci. Technol. Eng. 19 (26) (2019) 151-155, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1671-1815.2019.26.022.

[40] C. Dong, Q. Yan, Y. Li, H. Xu, Y. Zhou, X. Shang, Q. Chen, Y. Song, Numerical simulation of particle-level scale microscopic sand outgrowth in natural gas hydrate reservoirs, J. Univ. Pet. (China): NATURAL SCIENCE EDITION 43 (6) (2019) 77-87, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1673-5005.2019.06.009.

[41] S. Uchida, A. Klar, K. Yamamoto, Sand production model in gas hydrate-bearing sediments, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 86 (2016) 303-316, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2016.04.009.

[42] G. Li, D. Wu, X. Li, Q. Lv, C. Li, Y. Zhang, Experimental measurement and mathematical model of permeability with methane hydrate in quartz sands, Appl. Energy 202 (2017) 282-292, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.05.147.

[43] T. Akaki, S. Kimoto, Numerical modelling of internal erosion during hydrate dissociation based on multiphase mixture theory, Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods GeoMech. 44 (2) (2020) 327-350, https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.3023.

[44] C. Yan, Y. Li, Y. Cheng, W. Wang, B. Song, F. Deng, Y. Feng, Sand production evaluation during gas production from natural gas hydrates, J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 57 (2018) 77-88, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2018.07.006.

[45] S. Li, J. Liu, D. Wu, Y. Wang, Numerical simulation of depressurization exploitation of hydrate reservoirs in the Shenhu Sea Area, Sci. Technol. Eng. 18 (24) (2018) 38-43, https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1671-1815.2018.24.0061.

[46] X. Dou, F. Ning, Y. Li, C. Liu, J. Sun, Y. Li, D. Li, Y. Zhao, L. Zhang, L. Liu, Numerical simulation of sand emergence from hydrate reservoirs based on continuous-discrete medium coupling, J. Petr. 41 (5) (2020) 629-642, https://doi.org/10.7623/syxb20200511.

[47] H. Zhu, Numerical Modelling of Sand Production from Natural Gas Hydrate Reservoirs and Its Impact on Gas Production, Jilin University, 2021.

[48] Y. Cheng, H. Shen, Y. Zhao, S. Li, Y. Xia, Finite element simulation of decompression decomposition of natural gas hydrate in porous media, J. Univ. Pet. ( China) 33 (3) (2009) 85-89, https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1673-5005.2009.03.017.

[49] L. Yu, L. Zhang, R. Zhang, S. Ren, Assessment of natural gas production from hydrate-bearing sediments with unconsolidated argillaceous siltstones via a controlled sand out method, Energy 160 (2018) 654-667, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.07.050.

[50] Y. Li, Q. He, Y. Wu, Q. Chen, L. Liu, X. Sun, R. Jin, G. Meng, Laboratory study on hydrate production using a slow, multistage depressurization strategy, Geofluids (3) (2021) 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4352910.

[51] Y. Li, T. Xu, X. Xin, Y. Xia, H. Zhu, Y. Yuan, Multi-scale comprehensive study of the dynamic evolution of permeability during hydrate dissociation in clayey silt hydrate-bearing sediments, Advan. Geo-Energy Res. 12 (2) (2024) 127-140, https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2024.05.05.

[52] H. Kim, P. Bishnoi, R. Heidemann, S. Rizvi, Kinetics of methane hydrate decomposition, Chem. Eng. Sci. 42 (7) (1987) 1645-1653. https://10.1016/0009-2509(87)80169-0.

[53] G. Yu, W. Ou, X. Wu, F. Ning, L. Zhang, Research progress on decomposition kinetics of natural gas hydrate, Bulletin Geol. Sci. Technol. 42 (3) (2023) 175-188, https://doi.org/10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20210668.

[54] Y. Masuda,Numerical calculation of gas production performance from reservoirs containing natural gas hydrates, in: Annual Technical Conference, 1997. San Antonio, Texas.

[55] G. Holder, Clathrate hydrates of natural gases, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120 (43) (1998) 11212, https://doi.org/10.1021/ja9856194, 11212.

[56] M. Leverett, Capillary behavior in porous solids, Trans. AIME 142 (1) (1941) 152-169, https://doi.org/10.2118/941152-G.

[57] Y. Terao, M. Duncan, B. Hay, L. Dang, Deepwater methane hydrate gravel packing completion results and challenges, in:2014 Offshore Technology Conference, 2014. Houston, Texas USA.

[58] T. Yu, G. Guan, A. Abudula, Production performance and numerical investigation of the 2017 offshore methane hydrate production test in the Nankai trough of Japan, Appl. Energy 251 (2019) 113338, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113338.

[59] J. Sun, F. Ning, L. Zhang, T. Liu, L. Peng, Z. Liu, C. Li, G. Jiang, Numerical simulation on gas production from hydrate reservoir at the 1st offshore test site in the eastern Nankai Trough, J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 30 (2016) 64-76, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2016.01.036.