Journal Home > Volume 1 , Issue 3
Advances in Geo-Energy Research 2017, 1(3): 135-147 https://doi.org/10.26804/ager.2017.03.01
Original Article | Open Access | Issue | Published: 25 December 2017

Numerical simulations for analyzing deformation characteristics of hydrate-bearing sediments during depressurization

Show Author's Information Lele Liu1,2( ),  Xiaobing Lu3,  Xuhui Zhang3,  Changling Liu1,2,  Bin Du4
Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Land and Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
Evaluation and Detection Technology Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
Beijing J & C Geotechnical Construction Ltd., Beijing 100176, P. R. China
Keywords:
depressurization, Gas hydrate, hydrate-bearing sediment, geomechanics, numerical simulation.
Cite this article:
Liu L, Lu X, Zhang X, et al. Numerical simulations for analyzing deformation characteristics of hydrate-bearing sediments during depressurization. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2017, 1(3): 135-147. https://doi.org/10.26804/ager.2017.03.01
Download citation
EndNote(RIS)
BibTeX

566

Views

45

Downloads

Citations

26

Crossref

0

WoS

33

Scopus

N/A

CSCD

Abstract Full text About this article

Natural gas hydrates have been treated as a potential energy resource for decades. Understanding geomechanical properties of hydrate-bearing porous media is an essential to protect the safety of individuals and devices during hydrate production. In this work, a numerical simulator named GrapeFloater is developed to study the deformation behavior of hydrate-bearing porous media during depressurization, and the numerical simulator couples multiple processes such as conductive-convective heat transfer, two-phase fluid flow, intrinsic kinetics of hydrate dissociation, and deformation of solid skeleton. Then, a depressurization experiment is carried out to validate the numerical simulator. A parameter sensitivity analysis is performed to discuss the deformation behavior of hydrate-bearing porous media as well as its effect on production responses. Conclusions are drawn as follows: the numerical simulator named GrapeFloater predicts the experimental results well; the modulus of hydrate-bearing porous media has an obvious effect on production responses; final deformation increases with decreasing outlet pressure; both the depressurization and the modulus decrease during hydrate dissociation contribute to the deformation of hydrate-bearing porous media.


menu
Abstract
Full text
Outline
About this article

Numerical simulations for analyzing deformation characteristics of hydrate-bearing sediments during depressurization

Show Author's information Lele Liu1,2( ), Xiaobing Lu3, Xuhui Zhang3, Changling Liu1,2, Bin Du4
Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Land and Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
Evaluation and Detection Technology Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, P. R. China
Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
Beijing J & C Geotechnical Construction Ltd., Beijing 100176, P. R. China

Abstract

Natural gas hydrates have been treated as a potential energy resource for decades. Understanding geomechanical properties of hydrate-bearing porous media is an essential to protect the safety of individuals and devices during hydrate production. In this work, a numerical simulator named GrapeFloater is developed to study the deformation behavior of hydrate-bearing porous media during depressurization, and the numerical simulator couples multiple processes such as conductive-convective heat transfer, two-phase fluid flow, intrinsic kinetics of hydrate dissociation, and deformation of solid skeleton. Then, a depressurization experiment is carried out to validate the numerical simulator. A parameter sensitivity analysis is performed to discuss the deformation behavior of hydrate-bearing porous media as well as its effect on production responses. Conclusions are drawn as follows: the numerical simulator named GrapeFloater predicts the experimental results well; the modulus of hydrate-bearing porous media has an obvious effect on production responses; final deformation increases with decreasing outlet pressure; both the depressurization and the modulus decrease during hydrate dissociation contribute to the deformation of hydrate-bearing porous media.

Keywords: depressurization, Gas hydrate, hydrate-bearing sediment, geomechanics, numerical simulation.

References(50)

Boswell, R. Is gas hydrate energy within reach? Science 2009, 325(5943): 957-958.
DOI Google Scholar
Boswell, R., Collett, T.S. Current perspectives on gas hydrate resources. Energy Environ. Sci. 2011, 4(4): 1206-1215.
DOI Google Scholar
Chejara, A., Kvamme, B., Vafaei, M.T., et al. Simulations of long term methane hydrate dissociation by pressure reduction using an extended RetrasoCodeBright simulator. Energy Convers. Manag. 2013, 68(2013): 313-323.
DOI Google Scholar
Cheng, Y., Li, L., Yuan, Z., et al. Finite element simulation for fluid-solid coupling effect on depressurization-induced gas production from gas hydrate reservoirs. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2013, 10: 1-7.
DOI Google Scholar
Chong, Z.R., Yang, S.H.B., Babu, P., et al. Review of natural gas hydrates as an energy resource: Prospects and challenges. Appl. Energy 2016, 162: 1633-1652.
DOI Google Scholar
Collett, T., Bahk, J.J., Baker, R., et al. Methane hydrates in nature-current knowledge and challenges. J. Chem. Eng. Data 2015, 60(2): 319-329.
DOI Google Scholar
Cyranoski, D. Japanese test coaxes fire from ice: first attempt to extract methane from frozen hydrates far beneath the ocean shows promise. Nature 2013, 496(7446): 409-410.
DOI Google Scholar
Ghiassian, H., Grozic, J.L.H. Strength behavior of methane hydrate bearing sand in undrained triaxial testing. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2013, 43: 310-319.
DOI Google Scholar
Gupta, S., Deusner, C., Haeckel, M., et al. Testing a thermo-chemo-hydro-geomechanical model for gas hydrate-bearing sediments using triaxial compression laboratory experiments. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 2017, 18(9): 3419-3437.
DOI Google Scholar
Hyodo, M., Li, Y., Yoneda, J., et al. Mechanical behavior of gas-saturated methane hydrate-bearing sediments. J. Geophys. Res. 2013, 118(10): 5185-5194.
DOI Google Scholar
Hyodo, M., Li, Y., Yoneda, J., et al. Effects of dissociation on the shear strength and deformation behavior of methane hydrate-bearing sediments. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2014, 51: 52-62.
Google Scholar
Kajiyama, S., Wu, Y., Hyodo, M., et al. Experimental investigation on the mechanical properties of methane hydrate-bearing sand formed with rounded particles. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2017, 45: 96-107.
Google Scholar
Kim, H.C., Bishnoi, P.R., Heidemann, R.A., et al. Kinetics of methane hydrate decomposition. Chem. Eng. Sci. 1987, 42(7): 1645-1653.
Google Scholar
Kim, J., Moridis, G.J., Rutqvist, J., et al. Coupled flow and geomechanical analysis for gas production in the Prudhoe Bay Unit L-106 well Unit C gas hydrate deposit in Alaska. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2012, 92: 143-157.
Google Scholar
Kimoto, S., Oka, F., Fushita, T., et al. A chemo-thermo-mechanically coupled analysis of ground deformation induced by gas hydrate dissociation. Int. J. Mech. Sci. 2010, 52(2): 365-376.
Google Scholar
Kleinberg, R., Flaum, C., Griffin, D., et al. Deep sea NMR: Methane hydrate growth habit in porous media and its relationship to hydraulic permeability, deposit accumulation, and submarine slope stability. J. Geophys. Res. 2003, 108(B10): 2508.
Google Scholar
Konno, Y., Masuda, Y., Akamine, K., et al. Sustainable gas production from methane hydrate reservoirs by the cyclic depressurization method. Energy Convers. Manag. 2016, 108: 439-445.
Google Scholar
Krason, J. Messoyakh gas field (W. Siberia): A model for development of the methane hydrate deposits of Mackenzie Delta. Ann. NY. Acad. Sci. 2000, 912(1): 173-188.
Google Scholar
Lee, J., Park, S., Sung, W. An experimental study on the productivity of dissociated gas from gas hydrate by depressurization scheme. Energy Convers. Manag. 2010a, 51(12): 2510-2515.
Google Scholar
Lee, J.Y., Ryu, B.J., Yun, T.S., et al. Review on the gas hydrate development and production as a new energy resource. KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 2011, 15(4): 689-696.
Google Scholar
Lee, J.Y., Santamarina, J.C., Ruppel, C. Volume change associated with formation and dissociation of hydrate in sediment. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 2010b, 11(3): Q03007.
Google Scholar
Li, Y., Liu, W., Zhu, Y., et al. Mechanical behaviors of permafrost-associated methane hydrate-bearing sediments under different mining methods. Appl. Energy 2016, 162: 1627-1632.
Google Scholar
Lin, J.S., Seol, Y., Choi, J.H. An SMP critical state model for methane hydrate-bearing sands. Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 2015, 39(9): 969-987.
Google Scholar
Liu, J., Shao, Z., Wu, M., et al. Heat and mass transfer analysis of depressurization-induced hydrate decomposition with different temperatures of over- and underburden. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2017, 44: 65-76.
Google Scholar
Makogon, Y.F., Holditch, S.A., Makogon, T.Y. Natural gas-hydrates-A potential energy source for the 21st Century. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2007, 56(1-3): 14-31.
Google Scholar
Maslin, M., Owen, M., Betts, R., et al. Gas hydrates: Past and future geohazard? Philos. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond B 2010, 368(1919): 2369-2393.
Google Scholar
Miyazaki, K., Masui, A., Sakamoto, Y., et al. Triaxial compressive properties of artificial methane-hydrate-bearing sediment. J. Geophys. Res. 2011, 116(B6): B06102.
Google Scholar
Nandanwar, M.S., Anderson, B.J., Ajayi, T., et al. Evaluation of gas production potential from gas hydrate deposits in National Petroleum Reserve Alaska using numerical simulations. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2016, 36: 760-772.
Google Scholar
Ning, F., Yu, Y., Kjelstrup, S., et al. Mechanical properties of clathrate hydrates: Status and perspectives. Energy Environ. Sci. 2012, 5(5): 6779-6795.
Google Scholar
Nixon, M.F., Grozic, J.L. Submarine slope failure due to gas hydrate dissociation: A preliminary quantification. Can. Geotech. J. 2007, 44(3): 314-325.
Google Scholar
Pinkert, S., Grozic, J.L.H. Prediction of the mechanical response of hydrate-bearing sands. J. Geophys. Res. 2014, 119: 4695-4707.
Google Scholar
Pinkert, S., Grozic, J.L.H., Priest, J.A. Strain-softening model for hydrate bearing sand. Int. J. Geomech. 2015, 15(6): 04015007.
Google Scholar
Rutqvist, J., Moridis, G. Coupled hydrologic, thermal and geomechanical analysis of well bore stability in hydrate-bearing sediments. Paper OTC19572 Presented at Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, USA, 5-8 May, 2008.
Rutqvist, J., Moridis, G.J., Grover, T., et al. Geomechanical response of permafrost-associated hydrate deposits to depressurization-induced gas production. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2009, 67(1-2): 1-12.
Google Scholar
Schoderbek, D., Farrell, H., Hester, K., et al. ConocoPhillips gas hydrate production test final technical report, October 1, 2008-June 30, 2013. DOE Award No.: DE-NT0006553 Search PubMed, 2013.
Selim, M., Sloan, E. Heat and mass transfer during the dissociation of hydrates in porous media. AIChE J. 1989, 35(6): 1049-1052.
Google Scholar
Shen, J., Chiu, C.F., Ng, C.W.W., et al. A state-dependent critical state model for methane hydrate-bearing sand. Comput. Geotech. 2016, 75: 1-11.
Google Scholar
Sloan, E.D., Koh, C. Clathrate hydrates of natural gases. Florida, USA, CRC press, 2007.
Song, Y., Zhu, Y., Liu, W., et al. Experimental research on the mechanical properties of methane hydrate-bearing sediments during hydrate dissociation. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2014, 51: 70-78.
Google Scholar
Sun, X., Guo, X., Shao, L., et al. A thermodynamics-based critical state constitutive model for methane hydrate bearing sediment. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2015, 27: 1024-1034.
Google Scholar
Sun, X., Nanchary, N., Mohanty, K.K. 1-D modeling of hydrate depressurization in porous media. Transp. Porous Media 2005, 58(3): 315-338.
Google Scholar
Uchida, S., Xie, X.G., Leung, Y.F. Role of critical state framework in understanding geomechanical behavior of methane hydrate-bearing sediments. J. Geophys. Res. 2016, 121(8): 5580-5595.
Google Scholar
Vedachalam, N., Srinivasalu, S., Rajendran, G., et al. Review of unconventional hydrocarbon resources in major energy consuming countries and efforts in realizing natural gas hydrates as a future source of energy. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2015, 26: 163-175.
Google Scholar
Wang, Y., Li, X.S., Li, G., et al. Experimental study on the hydrate dissociation in porous media by five-spot thermal huff and puff method. Fuel 2014, 117(Part A): 688-696.
Google Scholar
Yamamoto, K., Terao, Y., Fujii, T., et al. Operational overview of the first offshore production test of methane hydrates in the Eastern nankai Trough. Paper OTC25243 Presented at Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, 5-8 May, 2014.
Yoneda, J., Masui, A., Konno, Y., et al. Mechanical properties of hydrate-bearing turbidite reservoir in the first gas production test site of the Eastern Nankai Trough. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2015, 66: 471-486.
Google Scholar
Yun, T.S., Santamarina, J.C., Ruppel, C. Mechanical properties of sand, silt, and clay containing tetrahydrofuran hydrate. J. Geophys. Res. 2007, 112(B4): B04106.
Google Scholar
Zhang, X.H., Lu, X.B., Shi, Y.H., et al. Study on the mechanical properties of hydrate-bearing silty clay. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2015, 67: 72-80.
Google Scholar
Zhang, X.H., Lu, X.B., Zhang, L.M., et al. Experimental study on mechanical properties of methane-hydrate-bearing sediments. Acta. Mech. Sin. 2012, 28(5): 1356-1366.
Google Scholar
Zhang, X.H., Luo, D.S., Lu, X.B., et al. Mechanical properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediments during hydrate dissociation. Acta. Mech. Sin. 2018, 34(2): 266-274.
Google Scholar
Publication history
Copyright
Acknowledgements
Rights and permissions

Publication history

Received: 08 October 2017
Revised: 28 October 2017
Accepted: 01 November 2017
Published: 25 December 2017
Issue date: December 2017

Copyright

© The Author(s) 2017

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No.11402131) and the China Geological Survey Project (DD20160216). They are gratefully acknowledged.

Rights and permissions

Published with open access at Ausasia Science and Technology Press on behalf of the Division of Porous Flow, Hubei Province Society of Rock Mechanics and Engineering.

This article is distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC-ND) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Return