Application of the monitoring and early warning system for internal solitary waves:Take the second natural gas hydrates production test in the South China Sea as an example

Internal solitary waves(ISWs) contain great energy and have the characteristics of emergency and concealment. To avoid their damage to offshore engineering, a new generation of monitoring and early warning system for ISWs was developed using technologies of double buoys monitoring, intelligent realtime data transmission, and automatic software identification. The system was applied to the second natural gas hydrates(NGHs) production test in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea(SCS) and successfully provided the early warning of ISWs for 173 days(from October 2019 to April 2020). The abrupt changes in the thrust force of the drilling platform under the attack of ISWs were consistent with the early warning information, proving the reliability of this system. A total of 93 ISWs were detected around the drilling platform. Most of them occurred during the spring tides in October–December 2019 and April 2020, while few of them occurred in winter. As suggested by the theoretical model, the full-depth structure of ISWs was a typical current profile of mode-1, and the velocities of wave-induced currents can reach 80 cm/s and30 cm/s, respectively, in the upper ocean and near the seabed. The ISWs may be primarily generated from the interactions between the topography and semidiurnal tides in the Luzon Strait, and then propagate westward to the drilling platform. This study could serve as an important reference for the early warning of ISWs for offshore engineering construction in the future.

Passability test and simulation of sand control string with natural gas hydrates completion in large curvature hole

To meet the requirements of marine natural gas hydrate exploitation,it is necessary to improve the penetration of completion sand control string in the large curvature borehole.In this study,large curvature test wells were selected to carry out the running test of sand control string with pre-packed screen.Meanwhile,the running simulation was performed by using the Landmark software.The results show that the sand control packer and screen can be run smoothly in the wellbore with a dogleg angle of more than 20°/30 m and keep the structure stable.Additionally,the comprehensive friction coefficient is 0.4,under which and the simulation shows that the sand control string for hydrate exploitation can be run smoothly.These findings have important guiding significance for running the completion sand control string in natural gas hydrate exploitation.

China Has Successfully Conducted its First Pilot Production of Natural Gas Hydrates

Natural gas methane and hydrates are a chemical compound of water molecules formed under low temperature and high pressure. The decomposition of 1 m^3 of natural gas hydrates can release about 0.8 m^3 of water and 164 m3 of natural gas. Thus, natural gas hydrates are characterized by their high-energy density and huge resource potential. It is estimated that the world＇s total natural gas hydrates resource amount is equivalent to twice the total carbon amount of the global proven conventional fuels and can meet the human energy requirement in the future for 1000 years. They are thus the first choice to replace conventional energy of petroleum and coal.

Molecular simulation studies on natural gas hydrates nucleation and growth:A review

How natural gas hydrates nucleate and grow is a crucial scientific question.The research on it will help solve practical problems encountered in hydrate accumulation,development,and utilization of hydrate related technology.Due to its limitations on both spatial and temporal dimensions,experiment cannot fully explain this issue on a micro-scale.With the development of computer technology,molecular simulation has been widely used in the study of hydrate formation because it can observe the nucleation and growth process of hydrates at the molecular level.This review will assess the recent progresses in molecular dynamics simulation of hydrate nucleation and growth,as well as the enlightening significance of these developments in hydrate applications.At the same time,combined with the problems encountered in recent hydrate trial mining and applications,some potential directions for molecular simulation in the research of hydrate nucleation and growth are proposed,and the future of molecular simulation research on hydrate nucleation and growth is prospected.

Reserves of Natural Gas Hydrates Equivalent to 100–150 Billion m^3 Natural Gas Has Been Discovered in the Pearl Mouth Basin of the South China Sea

Scientists have suggested that combustible ice in global marginal seas,deep trough areas and ocean basins covers an area of 400million km2,and its total reserve is twice the amount of the global proven oil,coal and gas reserves,equivalent to 50 times the amount of conventional natural gas reserves.

AVO Character Research of Natural Gas Hydrates in the East China Sea

Natural gas hydrates are considered as strategic resources with commercial potential in the 21st century. Obvious BSR characteristics will be shown on seismic profiles, if there exist natural gas hydrates. The AVO method is one of the methods which can be used to identify and forecast lithologic characteristics and fluid properties by using the relationship between Amplitude and Offset. AVO anomaly is one of the significant signs to check out whether or not there is free gas below the BSR, so it can be used to detect natural gas hydrates from the seismic profile. Considering the geological and geophysical characteristics of the Okinawa Trough and making use of the techniques mentioned above, we can conclude that the conditions there are favorable for the formation and concentration of natural gas hydrates. By analyzing the data collected from the study area, one can discover many different anomalous phenomena on the seismic profile which are related to the existence of natural gas hydrates. Preliminary estimation of the natural gas hydrates in the Okinawa Trough shows that the trough is rich in natural gas hydrates and may become a potential important resources exploration area.

Natural gas hydrates in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Characteristics, formation, and evolution

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(also referred to as the Plateau)is the largest area bearing alpine permafrost region in the world and thus is endowed with great formation conditions and prospecting potential of natural gas hydrates(NGH).Up to now,one NGH accumulation,two inferred NGH accumulations,and a series of NGH-related anomalous indicators have been discovered in the Plateau,with NGH resources predicted to be up to 8.88×10^(12) m^(3).The NGH in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have complex gas components and are dominated by deep thermogenic gas.They occur in the Permian-Jurassic strata and are subject to thin permafrost and sensitive to environment.Furthermore,they are distinctly different from the NGH in the high-latitude permafrost in the arctic regions and are more different from marine NGH.The formation of the NGH in the Plateau obviously couples with the uplift and permafrost evolution of the Plateau in spatial-temporal terms.The permafrost and NGH in the Qilian Mountains and the main body of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau possibly formed during 2.0–1.28 Ma BP and about 0.8 Ma BP,respectively.Under the context of global warming,the permafrost in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is continually degrading,which will lead to the changes in the stability of NGH.Therefore,The NGH of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau can not be ignored in the study of the global climate change and ecological environment.

Stability analysis of seabed strata and casing structure during the natural gas hydrates exploitation by depressurization in horizontal wells in South China Sea

Natural gas hydrates(NGHs)are a new type of clean energy with great development potential.However,it is urgent to achieve safe and economical NGHs development and utilization.This study established a physical model of the study area using the FLAC^(3D) software based on the key parameters of the NGHs production test area in the South China Sea,including the depressurization method,and mechanical parameters of strata,NGHs occurrence characteristics,and the technological characteristics of horizontal wells.Moreover,this study explored the law of influences of the NGHs dissociation range on the stability of the overburden strata and the casing structure of a horizontal well.The results are as follows.With the dissociation of NGHs,the overburden strata of the NGHs dissociation zone subsided and formed funnelshaped zones and then gradually stabilized.However,the upper interface of the NGHs dissociation zone showed significant redistribution and discontinuity of stress.Specifically,distinct stress concentration and corresponding large deformation occurred in the build-up section of the horizontal well,which was thus prone to suffering shear failure.Moreover,apparent end effects occurred at the end of the horizontal well section and might cause the deformation and failure of the casing structure.Therefore,it is necessary to take measures in the build-up section and at the end of the horizontal section of the horizontal well to prevent damage and ensure the wellbore safety in the long-term NGHs exploitation.

Hydrate phase transition and seepage mechanism during natural gas hydrates production tests in the South China Sea:A review and prospect

Natural gas hydrates(NGHs)are globally recognized as an important type of strategic alternative energy due to their high combustion efficiency,cleanness,and large amounts of resources.The NGHs reservoirs in the South China Sea(SCS)mainly consist of clayey silts.NGHs reservoirs of this type boast the largest distribution range and the highest percentage of resources among NGHs reservoirs in the world.However,they are more difficult to exploit than sandy reservoirs.The China Geological Survey successfully carried out two NGHs production tests in the Shenhu Area in the northern SCS in 2017 and 2020,setting multiple world records,such as the longest gas production time,the highest total gas production,and the highest average daily gas production,as well as achieving a series of innovative theoretical results.As suggested by the in-depth research on the two production tests,key factors that restrict the gas production efficiency of hydrate dissociation include reservoir structure characterization,hydrate phase transition,multiphase seepage and permeability enhancement,and the simulation and regulation of production capacity,among which the hydrate phase transition and seepage mechanism are crucial.Study results reveal that the hydrate phase transition in the SCS is characterized by low dissociation temperature,is prone to produce secondary hydrates in the reservoirs,and is a complex process under the combined effects of the seepage,stress,temperature,and chemical fields.The multiphase seepage is controlled by multiple factors such as the physical properties of unconsolidated reservoirs,the hydrate phase transition,and exploitation methods and is characterized by strong methane adsorption,abrupt changes in absolute permeability,and the weak flow capacity of gas.To ensure the long-term,stable,and efficient NGHs exploitation in the SCS,it is necessary to further enhance the reservoir seepage capacity and increase gas production through secondary reservoir stimulation based on initial reservoir stimulation.With the constant progress in the NGHs industrialization,great efforts should be made to tackle the difficulties,such as determining the micro-change in temperature and pressure,the response mechanisms of material-energy exchange,the methods for efficient NGHs dissociation,and the boundary conditions for the formation of secondary hydrates in the large-scale,long-term gas production.

Gas Sources of Natural Gas Hydrates in the Muli Permafrost of Qilian Mountain

The gas hydrates in the permafrost region of Qilian Mountain are characterized by low latitude, thin thickness, shallow burial depth, abundant coal seams, high contents of heavy hydrocarbons and multiple sets of source rocks. Up to date, the source of gas or the main source rocks of the Mull gas hydrates have remained unclear.

Gas Sources for Natural Gas Hydrates in the Permafrost Region of the Qilian Mountains

Objective As a new type of gas hydrates,the natural gas hydrates in the perfost region of the Qilian Mountains are characterized by their shallow burial depth,welldeveloped coal seam,high content of heavy hydrocarbons and multiple sets of mature and over-mature source rocks.Gas sources of these gas hydrates in the study area include coal-type gas and oil-type gas.

Characteristics of major and trace elements in surface sediments of the Makran Accretionary Prism, Pakistan and their implications for natural gas hydrates

To accurately identify the natural gas hydrates(NGH)in the sea area of the Makran Accretionary Prism,Pakistan,this paper presents the testing and analysis of major and trace elements in sediment samples taken from two stations(S2 and S3)in the area by the China Geological Survey.As shown by testing results,all major elements are slightly different in content between the two stations except SiO2 and CaO.This also applies to the trace elements that include Sr and Ba primarily and Cr,Ni and Zn secondarily.It can be concluded in this study that the tectonic setting of the Makran Accretionary Prism is dominated by oceanic island arc and that provenance of the Makran Accretionary Prism is dominated by felsic igneous provenance,which is at the initial weathering stage and mainly consists of granodiorite.Besides terrigenous detritus,there are sediments possibly originating from Makran-Bela Ophiolite from the northwestern part and Murray Ridge igneous rocks from the southeastern part.The V/Cr,Ni/Co,and V/(V+Ni)ratios indicate that sediments of the two stations are in an oxidation-suboxidation environment.However,the authors infer that the sedimentary environment of the sediments 3.0 m below the seafloor tends to be gradually transformed into a reduction environment by comparison with the Qiongdongnan Basin in the South China Sea where NGH has been discovered.The sediments in the Makran Accretionary Prism are rich in organic matter,with total organic carbon(TOC)content greater than 1%.According to comprehensive research,the organic matter in the sediments mainly originates from marine algae and has high TOC content,which is favorable for the formation of NGH.

Gas Sources of Natural Gas Hydrates in the Shenhu Drilling Area, South China Sea: Geochemical Evidence and Geological Analysis

The Shenhu gas hydrate drilling area is located in the central Baiyun sag, Zhu I! depression, Pearl River Mouth basin, northern South China Sea. The gas compositions contained in the hydrate-bearing zones is dominated by methane with content up to 99.89% and 99.91%. The carbon isotope of the methane （δ^13C1） are -56.7%0. and -60.9%0, and its hydrogen isotope （δD） are -199%0 and -180%0, respectively, indicating the methane from the microbial reduction of CO2. Based on the data of measured seafloor temperature and geothermal gradient, the gas formed hydrate reservoirs are from depths 24-1699 m below the seafloor, and main gas-generation zone is present at the depth interval of 416-1165 m. Gas-bearing zones include the Hanjiang Formation, Yuehai Formation, Wanshan Formation and Quaternary sediments. We infer that the microbial gas migrated laterally or vertically along faults （especially interlayer faults）, slump structures, small-scale diapiric structures, regional sand beds and sedimentary boundaries to the hydrate stability zone, and formed natural gas hydrates in the upper Yuehai Formation and lower Wanshan Formation, probably with contribution of a little thermogenic gas from the deep sedments during this process.

Calorimetric Determination of Enthalpy of Formation of Natural Gas Hydrates

This paper reports the measurements of enthalpies of natural gas hydrates in typical natural gas mixture containing methane, ethane, propane and iso-butane at pressure in the vicinity of 2000 kPa (300 psi) and 6900 kPa(1000psi). The measurements were made in a multi-cell differential scanning calorimeter using modified high pressure cells. The enthalpy of water and the enthalpy of dissociation of the gas hydrate were determined from the calorimeter response during slow temperature scanning at constant pressure. The amount of gas released from the dissociation of hydrate was determined from the pumped volume of the high pressure pump. The occupation ratio (mole ratio) of the water to gas and the enthalpy of hydrate formation are subject to uncertainty of 1.5%.The results show that the enthalpy of hydrate formation and the occupation ratio are essentially independent of pressure.

Geological reservoir and resource potential(10^(13)m^(3))of gas hydrates in the South China Sea

A detailed understanding of the distribution and potential of natural gas hydrate(NGHs)resources is crucial to fostering the industrialization of those resources in the South China Sea,where NGHs are abundant.In this study,this study analyzed the applicability of resource evaluation methods,including the volumetric,genesis,and analogy methods,and estimated NGHs resource potential in the South China Sea by using scientific resource evaluation methods based on the factors controlling the geological accumulation and the reservoir characteristics of NGHs.Furthermore,this study compared the evaluation results of NGHs resource evaluations in representative worldwise sea areas via rational analysis.The results of this study are as follows:(1)The gas hydrate accumulation in the South China Sea is characterized by multiple sources of gas supply,multi-channel migration,and extensive accumulation,which are significantly different from those of oil and gas and other unconventional resources.(2)The evaluation of gas hydrate resources in the South China Sea is a highly targeted,stratified,and multidisciplinary evaluation of geological resources under the framework of a multi-type gas hydrate resource evaluation system and focuses on the comprehensive utilization of multi-source heterogeneous data.(3)Global NGHs resources is n×10^(15)m^(3),while the NGHs resources in the South China Sea are estimated to be 10^(13)m^(3),which is comparable to the abundance of typical marine NGHs deposits in other parts of the world.In the South China Sea,the NGHs resources have a broad prospect and provide a substantial resource base for production tests and industrialization of NGHs.

Analysis of sensitivity to hydrate blockage risk in natural gas gathering pipeline

During the operational process of natural gas gathering and transmission pipelines,the formation of hydrates is highly probable,leading to uncontrolled movement and aggregation of hydrates.The continuous migration and accumulation of hydrates further contribute to the obstruction of natural gas pipelines,resulting in production reduction,shutdowns,and pressure build-ups.Consequently,a cascade of risks is prone to occur.To address this issue,this study focuses on the operational process of natural gas gathering and transmission pipelines,where a comprehensive framework is established.This framework includes theoretical models for pipeline temperature distribution,pipeline pressure distribution,multiphase flow within the pipeline,hydrate blockage,and numerical solution methods.By analyzing the influence of inlet temperature,inlet pressure,and terminal pressure on hydrate formation within the pipeline,the sensitivity patterns of hydrate blockage risks are derived.The research indicates that reducing inlet pressure and terminal pressure could lead to a decreased maximum hydrate formation rate,potentially mitigating pipeline blockage during natural gas transportation.Furthermore,an increase in inlet temperature and terminal pressure,and a decrease in inlet pressure,results in a displacement of the most probable location for hydrate blockage towards the terminal station.However,it is crucial to note that operating under low-pressure conditions significantly elevates energy consumption within the gathering system,contradicting the operational goal of energy efficiency and reduction of energy consumption.Consequently,for high-pressure gathering pipelines,measures such as raising the inlet temperature or employing inhibitors,electrical heat tracing,and thermal insulation should be adopted to prevent hydrate formation during natural gas transportation.Moreover,considering abnormal conditions such as gas well production and pipeline network shutdowns,which could potentially trigger hydrate formation,the installation of methanol injection connectors remains necessary to ensure production safety.

Natural gas hydrates-Insights into a paradigm-shifting energy resource

Experts have identified natural gas hydrates,which are found in the shallow seabed and beneath permafrost regions,as an energy source(mostly methane)that is greener than other petroleum fuel resources.With their worldwide distribution and abundance,gas hydrates have vast potential to become the next pillar of the energy industry.Although no entity has established methane extraction from hydrates at a commercial scale yet,extensive laboratory experiments have introduced several extraction strategies.Methods such as depressurization,thermal stimulation,and inhibitor injection are likely to disturb seabed integrity,which may result in catastrophic consequences.However,the CO_(2)replacement method is inferred to be preserving the seabed stability,offering an opportunity to reduce anthropogenic CO_(2)emissions safely.In this paper,we provide a comprehensive review of the progress of experimental work in developing methane-extraction methods for gas hydrate reservoirs.Depressurization combined with thermal stimulation can be proposed as a viable methane extraction method based on laboratory-scale experiments,however,a sustainable extraction method is yet to be developed to fieldscale when both economic and environmental perspectives are considered.A handful of field production runs have delivered positive outcomes to establish the exploitability of natural hydrate reservoirs,but thorough investigations and scientific collaborations are needed to develop hydrate accumulations as a commercially viable energy source.

New insights into the deposition of natural gas hydrate on pipeline surfaces:A molecular dynamics simulation study

Natural gas hydrate(NGH)can cause pipeline blockages during the transportation of oil and gas under high pressures and low temperatures.Reducing hydrate adhesion on pipelines is viewed as an efficient way to prevent NGH blockages.Previous studies suggested the water film can greatly increase hydrate adhesion in gas-dominant system.Herein,by performing the molecular dynamics simulations,we find in water-dominant system,the water film plays different roles in hydrate deposition on Fe and its corrosion surfaces.Specifically,due to the strong affinity of water on Fe surface,the deposited hydrate cannot convert the adsorbed water into hydrate,thus,a water film exists.As water affinities decrease(Fe>Fe_(2)O_(3)>FeO>Fe_(3)O_(4)),adsorbed water would convert to amorphous hydrate on Fe_(2)O_(3)and form the ordered hydrate on FeO and Fe_(3)O_(4)after hydrate deposition.While absorbed water film converts to amorphous or to hydrate,the adhesion strength of hydrate continuously increases(Fe<Fe_(2)O_(3)<FeO<Fe_(3)O_(4)).This is because the detachment of deposited hydrate prefers to occur at soft region of liquid layer,the process of which becomes harder as liquid layer vanishes.As a result,contrary to gas-dominant system,the water film plays the weakening roles on hydrate adhesion in water-dominant system.Overall,our results can help to better understand the hydrate deposition mechanisms on Fe and its corrosion surfaces and suggest hydrate deposition can be adjusted by changing water affinities on pipeline surfaces.

Rheological study of methane gas hydrates in the presence of micron-sized sand particles

Natural gas hydrates,intricate crystalline structures formed by water molecules and small gas molecules,have emerged as a significant and globally impactful clean energy resource.However,their commercial exploitation faces challenges,particularly operational disruptions caused by sand-related blockages.Understanding the rheological properties of hydrate slurry,especially in the presence of micron-sized sand particles,is imperative for ensuring the flow assurance of subsea hydrate exploitation.This study extensively investigates the rheological properties of sand-containing hydrate slurries.The findings reveal that these slurries exhibit non-Newtonian fluid characteristics,including yield stress,thixotropy,and shear-thinning behavior.Solid-like elastic features are observed in sand-containing hydrate slurries before yielding,transitioning to viscous behavior after yielding.Even with a minimal amount of sand,both static yield stress and yield strain experience substantial changes,correlating with the increase in sand concentration.The research conclusively establishes the thixotropic nature of sand-hydrate slurries,where the viscosity decay rate is directly influenced by the shear rate.These insights aim to contribute comprehensively to the development of effective flow assurance strategies,ensuring the safe and stable operation of subsea hydrate exploitation.

Numerical Investigation of Combined Production of Natural Gas Hydrate and Conventional Gas

Natural gas hydrate(NGH)is generally produced and accumulated together with the underlying conventional gas.Therefore,optimizing the production technology of these two gases should be seen as a relevant way to effectively reduce the exploitation cost of the gas hydrate.In this study,three types of models accounting for the coexistence of these gases are considered.Type A considers the upper hydrate-bearing layer(HBL)adjacent to the lower conventional gas layer(CGL);with the Type B a permeable interlayer exists between the upper HBL and the lower CGL;with the type C there is an impermeable interlayer between the upper HBL and the lower CGL.The production performances associated with the above three models are calculated under different conditions,including only a depressurized HBL(only HBL DP);only a depressurized CGL(only CGL DP);and both the HBL and the CGL being depressurized(HBL+CGL DP).The results show that for Type A and Type B coexistence accumulation models,when only HBL or CGL is depressurized,the gas from the other layer will flow into the production layer due to the pressure difference between the two layers.In the coexistence accumulation model of type C,the cumulative gas production is much lower than that of Type A and Type B,regardless of whether only HBL DP,only CGL DP,or HBL+CGL DP are considered.This indicates that the impermeable interlayer restricts the cross-flow of gas between HBL and CGL.For three different coexistence accumulation models,CGL DP has the largest gas-to-water ratio.