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 ...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.展开更多
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 ...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.展开更多
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...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.展开更多
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 ga...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.展开更多
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...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.展开更多
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 ...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.展开更多
Drilling results suggest that the thickness of natural gas hydrates(NGHs)in the Shenhu Area,South China Sea(SCS)are spatially heterogenous,making it difficult to accurately assess the NGHs resources in this area.In th...Drilling results suggest that the thickness of natural gas hydrates(NGHs)in the Shenhu Area,South China Sea(SCS)are spatially heterogenous,making it difficult to accurately assess the NGHs resources in this area.In the case that free gas exists beneath hydrate deposits,the frequency of the hydrate deposits will be noticeably attenuated,with the attenuation degree mainly affected by pore development and free gas content.Therefore,the frequency can be used as an important attribute to identify hydrate reservoirs.Based on the time-frequency characteristics of deposits,this study predicted the spatial distribution of hydrates in this area using the frequency division inversion method as follows.Firstly,the support vector machine(SVM)method was employed to study the amplitude versus frequency(AVF)response based on seismic and well logging data.Afterward,the AVF response was introduced as independent information to establish the nonlinear relationship between logging data and seismic waveform.Then,the full frequency band information of the seismic data was fully utilized to obtain the results of frequency division inversion.The inversion results can effectively broaden the frequency band,reflect the NGHs distribution,and reveal the NGHs reservoirs of two types,namely the fluid migration pathway type and the in situ self-generation self-storage diffusion type.Moreover,the inversion results well coincide with the drilling results.Therefore,it is feasible to use the frequency division inversion to predict the spatial distribution of heterogeneous NGHs reservoirs,which facilitates the optimization of favorable drilling targets and is crucial to the resource potential assessment of NGHs.展开更多
As a prerequisite and a guarantee for safe and efficient natural gas hydrates(NGHs)exploitation,it is imperative to effectively determine the mechanical properties of NGHs reservoirs and clarify the law of the change ...As a prerequisite and a guarantee for safe and efficient natural gas hydrates(NGHs)exploitation,it is imperative to effectively determine the mechanical properties of NGHs reservoirs and clarify the law of the change in the mechanical properties with the dissociation of NGHs during NGHs production tests by depressurization.Based on the development of Japan’s two offshore NGHs production tests in vertical wells,this study innovatively proposed a new subsea communication technology-accurate directional connection using a wet-mate connector.This helps to overcome the technical barrier to the communication between the upper and lower completion of offshore wells.Using this new communication technology,this study explored and designed a mechanical monitoring scheme for lower completion(sand screens).This scheme can be used to monitor the tensile stress and radial compressive stress of sand screens caused by NGHs reservoirs in real time,thus promoting the technical development for the rapid assessment and real-time feedback of the in-situ mechanical response of NGHs reservoirs during offshore NGHs production tests by depressurization.展开更多
Natural gas hydrates (NGH)is one of key future clean energy resources.Its industrialized development will help remit the huge demand of global natural gas,relieve the increasing pressure of the environment, and play a...Natural gas hydrates (NGH)is one of key future clean energy resources.Its industrialized development will help remit the huge demand of global natural gas,relieve the increasing pressure of the environment, and play a vital role in the green sustainable growth of human societies.Based on nearly two decades' studying on the reservoir characteristics in the South China Sea (SCS)and the knowledge of reservoir system,the China Geological Survey (CGS)conducted the first production test on an optimal target selected in Shenhu area SCS in 2017.Guided by the "three-phase control"exploitation theory which focused on formation stabilization,technologies such as formation fluid extraction,well drilling and completing, reservoir stimulating,sand controlling,environmental monitoring,monitoring and preventing of secondary formation of hydrates were applied.The test lasted for 60 days from May 10^th when starting to pump, drop pressure and ignite to well killing on July 9^th,with gas production of 3.09×10^5 m^3 in total,which is a world record with the longest continuous duration of gas production and maximal gas yield.This successful test brings a significant breakthrough on safety control of NGH production.展开更多
Natural gas hydrate (NGH)is considered as one of the new clean energy sources of the 21st century with the highest potential.The environmental issues of NGH production have attracted the close attention of scientists ...Natural gas hydrate (NGH)is considered as one of the new clean energy sources of the 21st century with the highest potential.The environmental issues of NGH production have attracted the close attention of scientists in various countries.From May 10 to July 9,2017,the first offshore NGH production test in the South China Sea (SCS)was conducted by the China Geological Survey.In addition,environmental security has also been effectively guaranteed via a comprehensive environmental monitoring system built during the NGH production test.The monitoring system considered sea-surface atmosphere methane and carbon dioxide concentrations,dissolved methane in the sea water column,and the seafloor physical oceanography and marine chemistry environment.The whole process was monitored via multiple means, in multiple layers,in all domains,and in real time.After the production test,an environmental investigation was promptly conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of the NGH production test. The monitoring results showed that the dissolved methane concentration in seawater and the near-seabed environment characteristics after the test were consistent with the background values,indicating that the NGH production test did not cause environmental problems such as methane leakage.展开更多
Clayey silt reservoirs bearing natural gas hydrates(NGH)are considered to be the hydrate-bearing reservoirs that boast the highest reserves but tend to be the most difficult to exploit.They are proved to be exploitabl...Clayey silt reservoirs bearing natural gas hydrates(NGH)are considered to be the hydrate-bearing reservoirs that boast the highest reserves but tend to be the most difficult to exploit.They are proved to be exploitable by the first NGH production test conducted in the South China Sea in 2017.Based on the understanding of the first production test,the China Geological Survey determined the optimal target NGH reservoirs for production test and conducted a detailed assessment,numerical and experimental simulation,and onshore testing of the reservoirs.After that,it conducted the second offshore NGH production test in 1225 m deep Shenhu Area,South China Sea(also referred to as the second production test)from October 2019 to April 2020.During the second production test,a series of technical challenges of drilling horizontal wells in shallow soft strata in deep sea were met,including wellhead stability,directional drilling of a horizontal well,reservoir stimulation and sand control,and accurate depressurization.As a result,30 days of continuous gas production was achieved,with a cumulative gas production of 86.14×104 m3.Thus,the average daily gas production is 2.87×10^4 m^3,which is 5.57 times as much as that obtained in the first production test.Therefore,both the cumulative gas production and the daily gas production were highly improved compared to the first production test.As indicated by the monitoring results of the second production test,there was no anomaly in methane content in the seafloor,seawater,and atmosphere throughout the whole production test.This successful production test further indicates that safe and effective NGH exploitation is feasible in clayey silt NGH reservoirs.The industrialization of hydrates consists of five stages in general,namely theoretical research and simulation experiments,exploratory production test,experimental production test,productive production test,and commercial production.The second production test serves as an important step from the exploratory production test to experimental production test.展开更多
Shenhu Area is located in the Baiyun Sag of Pearl River Mouth Basin,which is on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea.Gas hydrates in this area have been intensively investigated,achieving a wide cover...Shenhu Area is located in the Baiyun Sag of Pearl River Mouth Basin,which is on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea.Gas hydrates in this area have been intensively investigated,achieving a wide coverage of the three-dimensional seismic survey,a large number of boreholes,and detailed data of the seismic survey,logging,and core analysis.In the beginning of 2020,China has successfully conducted the second offshore production test of gas hydrates in this area.In this paper,studies were made on the structure of the hydrate system for the production test,based on detailed logging data and core analysis of this area.As to the results of nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)logging and sonic logging of Well GMGS6-SH02 drilled during the GMGS6 Expedition,the hydrate system on which the production well located can be divided into three layers:(1)207.8–253.4 mbsf,45.6 m thick,gas hydrate layer,with gas hydrate saturation of 0–54.5%(31%av.);(2)253.4–278 mbsf,24.6 m thick,mixing layer consisting of gas hydrates,free gas,and water,with gas hydrate saturation of 0–22%(10%av.)and free gas saturation of 0–32%(13%av.);(3)278–297 mbsf,19 m thick,with free gas saturation of less than 7%.Moreover,the pore water freshening identified in the sediment cores,taken from the depth below the theoretically calculated base of methane hydrate stability zone,indicates the occurrence of gas hydrate.All these data reveal that gas hydrates,free gas,and water coexist in the mixing layer from different aspects.展开更多
China Geological Survey conducted the second trial production of natural gas hydrate(NGH)in the Shenhu Area in South China Sea(SCS)from 2019 to 2020.Compared with the first trial production in 2017,the second trial sh...China Geological Survey conducted the second trial production of natural gas hydrate(NGH)in the Shenhu Area in South China Sea(SCS)from 2019 to 2020.Compared with the first trial production in 2017,the second trial showed significantly increased daily gas production and total gas production,and removed some technical obstacles for large-scale NGH resource developments in the SCS.However,current NGH resource evaluation in the SCS is still at the stage of prospective gas content assessment,which is unable to guide further NGH exploration and development.This study utilized the hydrate phase balance to delineate the NGH distribution range and effective thickness and volumetric method to evaluate NGH resource.Based on the latest exploration and production data from the Shenhu Area,Monte Carlo simulation was performed to calculate the NGH resource amount with different probabilities.By assuming a 50%cumulative probability,the in-situ NGH resources in the SCS was estimated to be11.7×10^(12)m^(3) and the recoverable NGH resources was 2.8×10^(12)m^(3).These results will provide a more reliable resource basis for China to formulate comprehensive development strategies for oil and gas exploration in the SCS.展开更多
Natural gas hydrate(NGH)has attracted much attention as a new alternative energy globally.However,evaluations of global NGH resources in the past few decades have casted a decreasing trend,where the estimate as of tod...Natural gas hydrate(NGH)has attracted much attention as a new alternative energy globally.However,evaluations of global NGH resources in the past few decades have casted a decreasing trend,where the estimate as of today is less than one ten-thousandth of the estimate forty years ago.The NGH researches in China started relatively late,but achievements have been made in the South China Sea(SCS)in the past two decades.Thirty-five studies had been carried out to evaluate NGH resource,and results showed a flat trend,ranging from 60 to 90 billion tons of oil equivalent,which was 2-3 times of the evaluation results of technical recoverable oil and gas resources in the SCS.The big difference is that the previous 35 group of NGH resource evaluations for the SCS only refers to the prospective gas resource with low grade level and high uncertainty,which cannot be used to guide exploration or researches on development strategies.Based on the analogy with the genetic mechanism of conventional oil and gas resources,this study adopts the newly proposed genetic method and geological analogy method to evaluate the NGH resource.Results show that the conventional oil and gas resources are 346.29×10^(8)t,the volume of NGH and free dynamic field are 25.19×10^(4)km^(3) and(2.05-2.48)×10^(6)km^(3),and the total amount of in-situ NGH resources in the SCS is about(4.47-6.02)×10^(12)m^(3).It is considered that the resource of hydrate should not exceed that of conventional oil and gas,so it is 30 times lower than the previous estimate.This study provides a more reliable geological basis for further NGH exploration and development.展开更多
As an efficient clean energy,natural gas hydrate(NGH)has become a hot topic in recent researches.Since1990 s,China has made great achievements and progress in NGH exploration in the South China Sea(SCS),including dete...As an efficient clean energy,natural gas hydrate(NGH)has become a hot topic in recent researches.Since1990 s,China has made great achievements and progress in NGH exploration in the South China Sea(SCS),including determination of the favorable distribution areas and favorable strata thickness,identification of the dual source for accumulation,evaluation of the prospective gas contents,verification of the widespread existence,and confirmation of the technical recoverability of NGH resources.However,there are three major challenges in the NGH studies.First,all the 24 national key and major projects in the SCS focused on trial production engineering and geological engineering in the past 20 years,while 8 of the 10 international NGH research projects focused on resource potential.Second,resource evaluation methods are outdated and some parameter selection are subjective.Third,the existing resource evaluation results are low-level with a great uncertainty,and cannot be used to guide NGH exploration and production or strategic research.To improve the evaluation of NGH resources in the SCS,future researches should focus on four aspects:(1)improve the research on the criterion of the objective existence of NGH and the method of prediction and evaluation;(2)apply new theories and methods from the global NGH research;(3)boost the research on the difference and correlation of the conditions of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in different basins;(4)innovate the theory and method of NGH resource potential evaluation.展开更多
The mechanism of slope failure associated with overpressure that is caused by hydrocarbon migration and accumulation remains unclear.High-resolution seismic data and gas hydrate drilling data collected from the Shenhu...The mechanism of slope failure associated with overpressure that is caused by hydrocarbon migration and accumulation remains unclear.High-resolution seismic data and gas hydrate drilling data collected from the Shenhu gas hydrate field(site SH5)offer a valuable opportunity to study the relations between submarine slope failure and hydrocarbon accumulation and flow that is associated with a~2 kmdiameter gas chimney developed beneath site SH5 where none gas hydrates had been recovered by drilling and sampling despite the presence of distinct bottom simulating reflectors(BSRs)and favorable gas hydrate indication.The mechanism of submarine slope failure resulted from buoyancy extrusion and seepage-derived deformation which were caused by overpressure from a~1100 m-high gas column in a gas chimney was studied via numerical simulation.The~9.55 MPa overpressure caused by hydrocarbons that migrated through the gas chimney and then accumulated beneath subsurface gas hydratebearing impermeable sediments.This may have resulted in a submarine slope failure,which disequilibrated the gas hydrate-bearing zone and completely decomposed the gas hydrate once precipitated at site SH5.Before the gas hydrate decomposition,the largely impermeable sediments overlying the gas chimney may have undergone a major upward deformation due to the buoyancy extrusion of the overpressure in the gas chimney,and slope failure was initiated from plastic strain of the sediments and reduced internal strength.Slope failure subsequently resulted in partial gas hydrate decomposition and sediment permeability increase.The pressurized gas in the gas chimney may have diffused into the overlying sediments controlled by seepage-derived deformation,causing an effective stress reduction at the base of the sediments and significant plastic deformation.This may have formed a new cycle of submarine slope failure and finally the total gas hydrate dissociation.The modeling results of buoyancy extrusion and seepage-derived deformation of the overpressure in the gas chimney would provide new understanding in the development of submarine slope failure and the link between slope failure and gas hydrate accumulation and dissociation.展开更多
Previous work has largely discussed the relations between sediment structures and accumulation of gas hydrates in the Shenhu area of South China Sea, but has not documented why the gas hydrates occurred at the seafloo...Previous work has largely discussed the relations between sediment structures and accumulation of gas hydrates in the Shenhu area of South China Sea, but has not documented why the gas hydrates occurred at the seafloor topographic highs. Many gas hydrate exploration examples abroad also indicate that the saturation of gas hydrates was higher at seafloor topographic highs. This work aims to understand why gas hydrates accumulated at topographic highs and why their saturation is higher.展开更多
Natural gas hydrate(NGH),considered as a type of premium energy alternative to conventional hydrocarbons,has been broadly studied.The estimate of the total NGH resources in the world has decreased by more than 90%sinc...Natural gas hydrate(NGH),considered as a type of premium energy alternative to conventional hydrocarbons,has been broadly studied.The estimate of the total NGH resources in the world has decreased by more than 90%since the first evaluation in 1973.Geographic and geophysical conditions of the South China Sea(SCS)are favorable for the formation of NGH,which has been proved by drilling results up to date.The recoverability of the NGH in the SCS has been confirmed by the production tests using both vertical and horizontal wells.Since 2001,35 estimates of NGH resources in the SCS have been made,with relatively stable results varying between 600 and 900×109 ton oil equivalent.In these estimations,the volumetric method was commonly adopted,but the geological conditions,the migration-accumulation mechanisms of NGH,and the practical recoverability were not considered.These estimates cannot be regarded as evaluated resources according to the international resource evaluation standards,but are at most about prospective gas content of NGH,thus inefficient for guiding explorations and developments.To solve these problems,this study divides the past NGH surveys in the SCS into seven stages,acquires key geological parameters of every stage based on previous studies and analogy with other areas,evaluates the NGH resources of these seven stages by using the volumetric method,then adopts a new trend-analysis method to simulate the downward trend of these estimates,and finally predicts the NGH resources in the SCS at 2025 and 2030.The downward trend is because of the continuous improvement of NGH understanding over time,which is consistent with the trend of global NGH estimates.At the present stage(from 2019 to 2021),the average technically recoverable resource(ATRR)is 7.0×10^(12)m^(3),and the estimates of 2025 and 2030 ATRR are 6.46×10^(12)m^(3) and 4.01×10^(12)m^(3)respectively,with a difference of less than 40%.Therefore,it can be inferred that the ATRR of NGH in the SCS is between 4.0 and 6.5×10^(12)m^(3),with an average of 5.25×10^(12)m^(3).展开更多
There have been at least 29 groups of estimates on the global natural gas hydrate(NGH)resource since1973,varying greatly with up to 10,000 times and showing a decreasing trend with time.For the South China Sea(SCS),35...There have been at least 29 groups of estimates on the global natural gas hydrate(NGH)resource since1973,varying greatly with up to 10,000 times and showing a decreasing trend with time.For the South China Sea(SCS),35 groups of estimations were conducted on NGH resource potential since 2000,while these estimates kept almost the same with time,varying between 60 and 90 billion tons of oil equivalent(toe).What are the key factors controlling the variation trend?What are the implications of these variations for the NGH development in the world and the SCS?By analyzing the investigation characteristics of NGH resources in the world,this study divided the evaluation process into six stages and confirmed four essential factors for controlling the variations of estimates.Results indicated that the reduction trend reflects an improved understanding of the NGH formation mechanism and advancement in the resource evaluation methods,and promoted more objective evaluation results.Furthermore,the analysis process and improved evaluation method was applied to evaluate the NGH resources in the SCS,showing the similar decreasing trend of NGH resources with time.By utilizing the decreasing trend model,the predicted recoverable resources in the world and the SCS are(205-500)×10^(12)m^(3)and(0.8-6.5)×10^(12)m^(3),respectively,accounting for 20%of the total conventional oil and gas resources.Recoverable NGH resource in the SCS is only about 4%-6%of the previous estimates of 60-90 billion toe.If extracted completely,it only can support the sustainable development of China for 7 years at the current annual consumption level of oil and gas.NGH cannot be the main energy resource in future due to its low resource potential and lack of advantages in recovery.展开更多
The distributed acoustic sensor(DAS)uses a single optical cable as the sensing unit,which can capture the acoustic and vibration signals along the optical cable in real-time.So it is suitable for monitoring downhole p...The distributed acoustic sensor(DAS)uses a single optical cable as the sensing unit,which can capture the acoustic and vibration signals along the optical cable in real-time.So it is suitable for monitoring downhole production activities in the process of oil and gas development.The authors applied the DAS system in a gas production well in the South China Sea for in situ monitoring of the whole wellbore for the first time and obtained the distributed acoustic signals along the whole wellbore.These signals can clearly distinguish the vertical section,curve section,and horizontal production section.The collected acoustic signal with the frequency of approximately 50 Hz caused by the electric submersible pump exhibit a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 27 dB.By analyzing the acoustic signals in the production section,it can be located the layers with high gas production rates.Once an accurate physical model is built in the future,the gas production profile will be obtained.In addition,the DAS system can track the trajectory of downhole tools in the wellbore to guide the operation.Through the velocity analysis of the typical signals,the type of fluids in the wellbore can be distinguished.The successful application of the system provides a promising whole wellbore acoustic monitoring tool for the production of marine gas hydrate,with a good application prospect.展开更多
基金jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42376222,U22A20581,and 42076069)Key Research and Development Program of Hainan Province(ZDYF2024GXJS002)China Geological Survey(DD20230402)。
文摘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.
基金funded by the Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou) (GML2019ZD0307)the Marine Geological Survey Program of China Geological Survey (DD20190218, DD20221706)+1 种基金the Key Program of Marine Economy Development Special Foundation of Department of Natural Resources of Guangdong Province (GDNRC [2020] 043)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41806074, 41730528)。
文摘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.
基金supported by the National Major Fundamental and Development Project of China (No. 2009CB219501)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41202099)
文摘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.
文摘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.
基金funded by the Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(Guangzhou)(GML2019ZD0307)the gas hydrate program initiated by the China Geological Survey(DD20190218)the project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11872365).
文摘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.
基金funded by a key project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China entitled“Multi-Field Spatio-Temporal Evolutionary Pattern of Hydrate Phase Transition and Seepage of NGHs Reservoirs”(51991365)。
文摘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.
基金supported by the National Research and Development Fund entitled“High Precision Characterization Technology of Natural Gas Hydrates Reservoirs”(2017YFC0307406)the projects entitled“Integrated Observation Data Integration and Application Service of Natural Resource Elements”(DD20208067)+2 种基金“Comprehensive geological survey of coastal zone and reef in the Northern Jiaodong”(ZD20220604)initiated by the China Geological Surveythe project entitled“Study on Hydrocarbon Accumulation Failure and Fluid Evolution Reduction of the Permian Reservoir in the Laoshan Uplift,South Yellow Sea”(42076220)“Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Provenance of Two Stages Paleo-deltas on the Outer Shelf in the North of the East China Sea since Late Pleistocene”(41706069)organized by the National Natural Science Foundation of China。
文摘Drilling results suggest that the thickness of natural gas hydrates(NGHs)in the Shenhu Area,South China Sea(SCS)are spatially heterogenous,making it difficult to accurately assess the NGHs resources in this area.In the case that free gas exists beneath hydrate deposits,the frequency of the hydrate deposits will be noticeably attenuated,with the attenuation degree mainly affected by pore development and free gas content.Therefore,the frequency can be used as an important attribute to identify hydrate reservoirs.Based on the time-frequency characteristics of deposits,this study predicted the spatial distribution of hydrates in this area using the frequency division inversion method as follows.Firstly,the support vector machine(SVM)method was employed to study the amplitude versus frequency(AVF)response based on seismic and well logging data.Afterward,the AVF response was introduced as independent information to establish the nonlinear relationship between logging data and seismic waveform.Then,the full frequency band information of the seismic data was fully utilized to obtain the results of frequency division inversion.The inversion results can effectively broaden the frequency band,reflect the NGHs distribution,and reveal the NGHs reservoirs of two types,namely the fluid migration pathway type and the in situ self-generation self-storage diffusion type.Moreover,the inversion results well coincide with the drilling results.Therefore,it is feasible to use the frequency division inversion to predict the spatial distribution of heterogeneous NGHs reservoirs,which facilitates the optimization of favorable drilling targets and is crucial to the resource potential assessment of NGHs.
基金supported jointly by the major projects of Basic and Applied Basic Research in Guangdong Province“Key Basic Theory Research for Natural Gas Hydrate Trial Production in Shenhu Pilot Test Area”(2020B0301030003)the project from Southern Marine Science&Engineering Guangdong Laboratory in Guangzhou City“Research on New Closed Circulation Drilling Technology without Riser”(GML2019ZD0501).
文摘As a prerequisite and a guarantee for safe and efficient natural gas hydrates(NGHs)exploitation,it is imperative to effectively determine the mechanical properties of NGHs reservoirs and clarify the law of the change in the mechanical properties with the dissociation of NGHs during NGHs production tests by depressurization.Based on the development of Japan’s two offshore NGHs production tests in vertical wells,this study innovatively proposed a new subsea communication technology-accurate directional connection using a wet-mate connector.This helps to overcome the technical barrier to the communication between the upper and lower completion of offshore wells.Using this new communication technology,this study explored and designed a mechanical monitoring scheme for lower completion(sand screens).This scheme can be used to monitor the tensile stress and radial compressive stress of sand screens caused by NGHs reservoirs in real time,thus promoting the technical development for the rapid assessment and real-time feedback of the in-situ mechanical response of NGHs reservoirs during offshore NGHs production tests by depressurization.
文摘Natural gas hydrates (NGH)is one of key future clean energy resources.Its industrialized development will help remit the huge demand of global natural gas,relieve the increasing pressure of the environment, and play a vital role in the green sustainable growth of human societies.Based on nearly two decades' studying on the reservoir characteristics in the South China Sea (SCS)and the knowledge of reservoir system,the China Geological Survey (CGS)conducted the first production test on an optimal target selected in Shenhu area SCS in 2017.Guided by the "three-phase control"exploitation theory which focused on formation stabilization,technologies such as formation fluid extraction,well drilling and completing, reservoir stimulating,sand controlling,environmental monitoring,monitoring and preventing of secondary formation of hydrates were applied.The test lasted for 60 days from May 10^th when starting to pump, drop pressure and ignite to well killing on July 9^th,with gas production of 3.09×10^5 m^3 in total,which is a world record with the longest continuous duration of gas production and maximal gas yield.This successful test brings a significant breakthrough on safety control of NGH production.
文摘Natural gas hydrate (NGH)is considered as one of the new clean energy sources of the 21st century with the highest potential.The environmental issues of NGH production have attracted the close attention of scientists in various countries.From May 10 to July 9,2017,the first offshore NGH production test in the South China Sea (SCS)was conducted by the China Geological Survey.In addition,environmental security has also been effectively guaranteed via a comprehensive environmental monitoring system built during the NGH production test.The monitoring system considered sea-surface atmosphere methane and carbon dioxide concentrations,dissolved methane in the sea water column,and the seafloor physical oceanography and marine chemistry environment.The whole process was monitored via multiple means, in multiple layers,in all domains,and in real time.After the production test,an environmental investigation was promptly conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of the NGH production test. The monitoring results showed that the dissolved methane concentration in seawater and the near-seabed environment characteristics after the test were consistent with the background values,indicating that the NGH production test did not cause environmental problems such as methane leakage.
基金This study is supported by the offshore NGH production test projects under the Marine Geological Survey Program initiated by the China Geological Survey(DD20190226,DD20190218)the Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(41730528,51991365)。
文摘Clayey silt reservoirs bearing natural gas hydrates(NGH)are considered to be the hydrate-bearing reservoirs that boast the highest reserves but tend to be the most difficult to exploit.They are proved to be exploitable by the first NGH production test conducted in the South China Sea in 2017.Based on the understanding of the first production test,the China Geological Survey determined the optimal target NGH reservoirs for production test and conducted a detailed assessment,numerical and experimental simulation,and onshore testing of the reservoirs.After that,it conducted the second offshore NGH production test in 1225 m deep Shenhu Area,South China Sea(also referred to as the second production test)from October 2019 to April 2020.During the second production test,a series of technical challenges of drilling horizontal wells in shallow soft strata in deep sea were met,including wellhead stability,directional drilling of a horizontal well,reservoir stimulation and sand control,and accurate depressurization.As a result,30 days of continuous gas production was achieved,with a cumulative gas production of 86.14×104 m3.Thus,the average daily gas production is 2.87×10^4 m^3,which is 5.57 times as much as that obtained in the first production test.Therefore,both the cumulative gas production and the daily gas production were highly improved compared to the first production test.As indicated by the monitoring results of the second production test,there was no anomaly in methane content in the seafloor,seawater,and atmosphere throughout the whole production test.This successful production test further indicates that safe and effective NGH exploitation is feasible in clayey silt NGH reservoirs.The industrialization of hydrates consists of five stages in general,namely theoretical research and simulation experiments,exploratory production test,experimental production test,productive production test,and commercial production.The second production test serves as an important step from the exploratory production test to experimental production test.
基金Jointly funded by a major research plan of National Natural Science Foundation of China(51991365)titled“Multi-Field Spatial-Temporal Evolution Laws of Phase Transition and Seepage of Natural Gas Hydrate in Reservoirs”and a geological survey project initiated by China Geological Survey(DD20190226)titled“Implementation of Natural Gas Hydrate Production Test in Pilot Test Area in Shenhu Area”.
文摘Shenhu Area is located in the Baiyun Sag of Pearl River Mouth Basin,which is on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea.Gas hydrates in this area have been intensively investigated,achieving a wide coverage of the three-dimensional seismic survey,a large number of boreholes,and detailed data of the seismic survey,logging,and core analysis.In the beginning of 2020,China has successfully conducted the second offshore production test of gas hydrates in this area.In this paper,studies were made on the structure of the hydrate system for the production test,based on detailed logging data and core analysis of this area.As to the results of nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)logging and sonic logging of Well GMGS6-SH02 drilled during the GMGS6 Expedition,the hydrate system on which the production well located can be divided into three layers:(1)207.8–253.4 mbsf,45.6 m thick,gas hydrate layer,with gas hydrate saturation of 0–54.5%(31%av.);(2)253.4–278 mbsf,24.6 m thick,mixing layer consisting of gas hydrates,free gas,and water,with gas hydrate saturation of 0–22%(10%av.)and free gas saturation of 0–32%(13%av.);(3)278–297 mbsf,19 m thick,with free gas saturation of less than 7%.Moreover,the pore water freshening identified in the sediment cores,taken from the depth below the theoretically calculated base of methane hydrate stability zone,indicates the occurrence of gas hydrate.All these data reveal that gas hydrates,free gas,and water coexist in the mixing layer from different aspects.
基金funded by the major consulting project of“South China Sea Oil and Gas Comprehensive Development Strategy Research”led by Academician Gao Deli and the Faculty of Chinese Academy of SciencesConsulting Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences(2019-ZW11-Z-035)+1 种基金National Key Basic Research and Development Program(973)(2006CB202300,2011CB201100)China High-Tech R&D Project(863)(2013AA092600)。
文摘China Geological Survey conducted the second trial production of natural gas hydrate(NGH)in the Shenhu Area in South China Sea(SCS)from 2019 to 2020.Compared with the first trial production in 2017,the second trial showed significantly increased daily gas production and total gas production,and removed some technical obstacles for large-scale NGH resource developments in the SCS.However,current NGH resource evaluation in the SCS is still at the stage of prospective gas content assessment,which is unable to guide further NGH exploration and development.This study utilized the hydrate phase balance to delineate the NGH distribution range and effective thickness and volumetric method to evaluate NGH resource.Based on the latest exploration and production data from the Shenhu Area,Monte Carlo simulation was performed to calculate the NGH resource amount with different probabilities.By assuming a 50%cumulative probability,the in-situ NGH resources in the SCS was estimated to be11.7×10^(12)m^(3) and the recoverable NGH resources was 2.8×10^(12)m^(3).These results will provide a more reliable resource basis for China to formulate comprehensive development strategies for oil and gas exploration in the SCS.
基金supported by a major consulting project of"South China Sea Oil and Gas Comprehensive Development Strategy Research"led by Academician Gao Deli and the Faculty of Chinese Academy of SciencesCounsulting Project of Chinese Academy of Science(Approval Number:2019-ZW11-Z-035)+1 种基金National Key Basic Research and Development Program(973)(Nos:2006CB202300,2011CB201100)China High-tech R&D Program(863)(2013AA092600)。
文摘Natural gas hydrate(NGH)has attracted much attention as a new alternative energy globally.However,evaluations of global NGH resources in the past few decades have casted a decreasing trend,where the estimate as of today is less than one ten-thousandth of the estimate forty years ago.The NGH researches in China started relatively late,but achievements have been made in the South China Sea(SCS)in the past two decades.Thirty-five studies had been carried out to evaluate NGH resource,and results showed a flat trend,ranging from 60 to 90 billion tons of oil equivalent,which was 2-3 times of the evaluation results of technical recoverable oil and gas resources in the SCS.The big difference is that the previous 35 group of NGH resource evaluations for the SCS only refers to the prospective gas resource with low grade level and high uncertainty,which cannot be used to guide exploration or researches on development strategies.Based on the analogy with the genetic mechanism of conventional oil and gas resources,this study adopts the newly proposed genetic method and geological analogy method to evaluate the NGH resource.Results show that the conventional oil and gas resources are 346.29×10^(8)t,the volume of NGH and free dynamic field are 25.19×10^(4)km^(3) and(2.05-2.48)×10^(6)km^(3),and the total amount of in-situ NGH resources in the SCS is about(4.47-6.02)×10^(12)m^(3).It is considered that the resource of hydrate should not exceed that of conventional oil and gas,so it is 30 times lower than the previous estimate.This study provides a more reliable geological basis for further NGH exploration and development.
基金financially supported by the CAS consultation project“South China Sea Oil and Gas Comprehensive Development Strategy”(2019-ZW11-Z-035)the National Basic Research Program of China(2006CB202300,2011CB201100)the National HighTech R&D(863)Program of China(2013AA092600)。
文摘As an efficient clean energy,natural gas hydrate(NGH)has become a hot topic in recent researches.Since1990 s,China has made great achievements and progress in NGH exploration in the South China Sea(SCS),including determination of the favorable distribution areas and favorable strata thickness,identification of the dual source for accumulation,evaluation of the prospective gas contents,verification of the widespread existence,and confirmation of the technical recoverability of NGH resources.However,there are three major challenges in the NGH studies.First,all the 24 national key and major projects in the SCS focused on trial production engineering and geological engineering in the past 20 years,while 8 of the 10 international NGH research projects focused on resource potential.Second,resource evaluation methods are outdated and some parameter selection are subjective.Third,the existing resource evaluation results are low-level with a great uncertainty,and cannot be used to guide NGH exploration and production or strategic research.To improve the evaluation of NGH resources in the SCS,future researches should focus on four aspects:(1)improve the research on the criterion of the objective existence of NGH and the method of prediction and evaluation;(2)apply new theories and methods from the global NGH research;(3)boost the research on the difference and correlation of the conditions of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in different basins;(4)innovate the theory and method of NGH resource potential evaluation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41776056)Open Found of Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources(China University of Geosciences)+2 种基金Ministry of Education(No.TPR-2020-06)the China National Hydrate Project(DD20190217)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2017M622655)。
文摘The mechanism of slope failure associated with overpressure that is caused by hydrocarbon migration and accumulation remains unclear.High-resolution seismic data and gas hydrate drilling data collected from the Shenhu gas hydrate field(site SH5)offer a valuable opportunity to study the relations between submarine slope failure and hydrocarbon accumulation and flow that is associated with a~2 kmdiameter gas chimney developed beneath site SH5 where none gas hydrates had been recovered by drilling and sampling despite the presence of distinct bottom simulating reflectors(BSRs)and favorable gas hydrate indication.The mechanism of submarine slope failure resulted from buoyancy extrusion and seepage-derived deformation which were caused by overpressure from a~1100 m-high gas column in a gas chimney was studied via numerical simulation.The~9.55 MPa overpressure caused by hydrocarbons that migrated through the gas chimney and then accumulated beneath subsurface gas hydratebearing impermeable sediments.This may have resulted in a submarine slope failure,which disequilibrated the gas hydrate-bearing zone and completely decomposed the gas hydrate once precipitated at site SH5.Before the gas hydrate decomposition,the largely impermeable sediments overlying the gas chimney may have undergone a major upward deformation due to the buoyancy extrusion of the overpressure in the gas chimney,and slope failure was initiated from plastic strain of the sediments and reduced internal strength.Slope failure subsequently resulted in partial gas hydrate decomposition and sediment permeability increase.The pressurized gas in the gas chimney may have diffused into the overlying sediments controlled by seepage-derived deformation,causing an effective stress reduction at the base of the sediments and significant plastic deformation.This may have formed a new cycle of submarine slope failure and finally the total gas hydrate dissociation.The modeling results of buoyancy extrusion and seepage-derived deformation of the overpressure in the gas chimney would provide new understanding in the development of submarine slope failure and the link between slope failure and gas hydrate accumulation and dissociation.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grants No.41406080,41273066 and 41106060)
文摘Previous work has largely discussed the relations between sediment structures and accumulation of gas hydrates in the Shenhu area of South China Sea, but has not documented why the gas hydrates occurred at the seafloor topographic highs. Many gas hydrate exploration examples abroad also indicate that the saturation of gas hydrates was higher at seafloor topographic highs. This work aims to understand why gas hydrates accumulated at topographic highs and why their saturation is higher.
基金financially supported by the CAS consultation project“South China Sea Oil and Gas Comprehensive Development Strategy”(2019-ZW11-Z-035)the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(2006CB202300,2011CB201100)the National High-Tech R&D Program of China(863 Program)(2013AA092600)。
文摘Natural gas hydrate(NGH),considered as a type of premium energy alternative to conventional hydrocarbons,has been broadly studied.The estimate of the total NGH resources in the world has decreased by more than 90%since the first evaluation in 1973.Geographic and geophysical conditions of the South China Sea(SCS)are favorable for the formation of NGH,which has been proved by drilling results up to date.The recoverability of the NGH in the SCS has been confirmed by the production tests using both vertical and horizontal wells.Since 2001,35 estimates of NGH resources in the SCS have been made,with relatively stable results varying between 600 and 900×109 ton oil equivalent.In these estimations,the volumetric method was commonly adopted,but the geological conditions,the migration-accumulation mechanisms of NGH,and the practical recoverability were not considered.These estimates cannot be regarded as evaluated resources according to the international resource evaluation standards,but are at most about prospective gas content of NGH,thus inefficient for guiding explorations and developments.To solve these problems,this study divides the past NGH surveys in the SCS into seven stages,acquires key geological parameters of every stage based on previous studies and analogy with other areas,evaluates the NGH resources of these seven stages by using the volumetric method,then adopts a new trend-analysis method to simulate the downward trend of these estimates,and finally predicts the NGH resources in the SCS at 2025 and 2030.The downward trend is because of the continuous improvement of NGH understanding over time,which is consistent with the trend of global NGH estimates.At the present stage(from 2019 to 2021),the average technically recoverable resource(ATRR)is 7.0×10^(12)m^(3),and the estimates of 2025 and 2030 ATRR are 6.46×10^(12)m^(3) and 4.01×10^(12)m^(3)respectively,with a difference of less than 40%.Therefore,it can be inferred that the ATRR of NGH in the SCS is between 4.0 and 6.5×10^(12)m^(3),with an average of 5.25×10^(12)m^(3).
基金financially supported by the CAS consultation project(2019-ZW11-Z-035)the National Basic Research Program of China(973)(2006CB202300,2011CB201100)China High-Tech R&D(863)Program Project(2013AA092600)。
文摘There have been at least 29 groups of estimates on the global natural gas hydrate(NGH)resource since1973,varying greatly with up to 10,000 times and showing a decreasing trend with time.For the South China Sea(SCS),35 groups of estimations were conducted on NGH resource potential since 2000,while these estimates kept almost the same with time,varying between 60 and 90 billion tons of oil equivalent(toe).What are the key factors controlling the variation trend?What are the implications of these variations for the NGH development in the world and the SCS?By analyzing the investigation characteristics of NGH resources in the world,this study divided the evaluation process into six stages and confirmed four essential factors for controlling the variations of estimates.Results indicated that the reduction trend reflects an improved understanding of the NGH formation mechanism and advancement in the resource evaluation methods,and promoted more objective evaluation results.Furthermore,the analysis process and improved evaluation method was applied to evaluate the NGH resources in the SCS,showing the similar decreasing trend of NGH resources with time.By utilizing the decreasing trend model,the predicted recoverable resources in the world and the SCS are(205-500)×10^(12)m^(3)and(0.8-6.5)×10^(12)m^(3),respectively,accounting for 20%of the total conventional oil and gas resources.Recoverable NGH resource in the SCS is only about 4%-6%of the previous estimates of 60-90 billion toe.If extracted completely,it only can support the sustainable development of China for 7 years at the current annual consumption level of oil and gas.NGH cannot be the main energy resource in future due to its low resource potential and lack of advantages in recovery.
基金jointly supported by the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou (202103040003)the offshore NGHs production test projects under the Marine Geological Survey Program initiated by the China Geological Survey (DD20190226, DD20190218 and DD20221706)+2 种基金the Key Program of Marine Economy Development Special Foundation of Department of Natural Resources of Guangdong Province (GDNRC [2020] 045)the financial support from China Geological Survey (DD20221703)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (6210030553)。
文摘The distributed acoustic sensor(DAS)uses a single optical cable as the sensing unit,which can capture the acoustic and vibration signals along the optical cable in real-time.So it is suitable for monitoring downhole production activities in the process of oil and gas development.The authors applied the DAS system in a gas production well in the South China Sea for in situ monitoring of the whole wellbore for the first time and obtained the distributed acoustic signals along the whole wellbore.These signals can clearly distinguish the vertical section,curve section,and horizontal production section.The collected acoustic signal with the frequency of approximately 50 Hz caused by the electric submersible pump exhibit a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 27 dB.By analyzing the acoustic signals in the production section,it can be located the layers with high gas production rates.Once an accurate physical model is built in the future,the gas production profile will be obtained.In addition,the DAS system can track the trajectory of downhole tools in the wellbore to guide the operation.Through the velocity analysis of the typical signals,the type of fluids in the wellbore can be distinguished.The successful application of the system provides a promising whole wellbore acoustic monitoring tool for the production of marine gas hydrate,with a good application prospect.