Seafloor Subsidence Evaluation Due to Hydrate Depressurization Recovery in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1. Solution Strategy
2.2. Hydrate Model
2.3. Hydrate Constitutive Model
2.4. Analysis of Porous Media
3. Numerical Model Set Up
3.1. Site Location and Description
3.2. Model Domains
3.3. Initial State and Boundary Conditions
3.4. Recovery Scenarios
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Procedure of Hydrate Dissociation
4.2. Stratum Geomechanics Response
4.2.1. Pore Pressure Distribution
4.2.2. Stress Distribution
4.2.3. Seepage Response
4.3. Seabed Strata Stability
4.4. Influence of Recovering Pressure on Formation Stability
5. Conclusions
- (1)
- The rate of hydrate dissociation is influenced by fluctuations in production pressure; an increase in pressure affects the dissociation rate. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between the distance from the hydrate temperature and pressure to the phase equilibrium curve and the rate of hydrate dissociation.
- (2)
- The reduction of pore pressure and the corresponding increase in effective stress due to hydrate decomposition impact the overall stability of the formation. Stress redistribution leads to compaction of the surrounding strata, decreasing porosity and permeability, and trapping pore pressure, which further influences hydrate dissociation rates and patterns.
- (3)
- Hydrate dissociation in the Shenhu area is unlikely to cause large-scale submarine landslides. However, it may result in several meters of seafloor subsidence across a broad area. Notably, the subsidence observed during the first 50 days of hydrate production accounts for approximately half of the total settlement observed after two years of production. Therefore, monitoring seafloor subsidence dynamics in the early stages of production is essential.
- (4)
- While a higher production pressure drop can accelerate the recovery rate, it also increases the risk of severe seafloor subsidence and slippage. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between the rate of hydrate production and the stability of the formation in project design and planning.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Parameter | Value | Unit | Parameter | Value | Unit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
293 | kPa | 0.642 | |||
1960 | kPa | 450,000 | kPa | ||
1.7 | 1962 | kPa | |||
0.4 | 382 | kPa | |||
0.1 | 0.22 | ||||
2.72 | 0.04 | ||||
241,200 | kPa | 9 |
Parameter | Value | Parameter | Value |
---|---|---|---|
Porosity | 0.4 | Sand instinct permeability | 6 mD |
NGH density | 920 kg/m3 | NGH instinct permeability | 2 mD |
NGH thermal conductivity | 0.5 W/m K | Liquid density | 1040 kg/m3 |
NGH specific heat | 2.1 kJ/kg K | Liquid specific heat | 4.2 kJ/kg K |
Sand density | 2600 kg/m3 | Liquid thermal conductivity | 0.5 W/m K |
Sand thermal conductivity | 1.0 W/m K | Liquid saturation of Sand | 1 |
Sand specific heat | 1.0 kJ/kg K | Liquid saturation of sediment | 0.2 |
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Song, B.; Zou, Q. Seafloor Subsidence Evaluation Due to Hydrate Depressurization Recovery in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12, 1410. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081410
Song B, Zou Q. Seafloor Subsidence Evaluation Due to Hydrate Depressurization Recovery in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2024; 12(8):1410. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081410
Chicago/Turabian StyleSong, Benjian, and Qingping Zou. 2024. "Seafloor Subsidence Evaluation Due to Hydrate Depressurization Recovery in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 12, no. 8: 1410. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081410