Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.7	4.4	2013	16.4 Days	CHF 2600

31 pages, 7385 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gas Production and Storage Using Hydrates Through the Replacement of Multicomponent Gases: A Critical Review

by Zhiyuan Zhu, Xiaoya Zhao, Sijia Wang, Lanlan Jiang, Hongsheng Dong and Pengfei Lv

Energies 2025, 18(4), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18040975 - 18 Feb 2025

Viewed by 429

With the continuous growth of global energy demand and the gradual depletion of traditional fossil energy reserves, natural gas hydrates have attracted widespread attention as a potential clean energy source due to their vast reserves and wide distribution. Although various extraction methods, including [...] Read more.

With the continuous growth of global energy demand and the gradual depletion of traditional fossil energy reserves, natural gas hydrates have attracted widespread attention as a potential clean energy source due to their vast reserves and wide distribution. Although various extraction methods, including depressurization, thermal stimulation, chemical inhibitors, and displacement methods, have been proposed, there are still challenges, such as low extraction efficiency, poor sustainability, and high costs, making it difficult to achieve large-scale engineering applications. Among these, the use of gases such as CO₂ for displacement extraction of natural gas hydrates can both develop hydrate resources and sequester CO₂, achieving a win–win situation for resource development and greenhouse gas reduction. This paper provides a detailed review of the multi-gas displacement extraction technology for natural gas hydrates, systematically summarizes the latest progress in thermodynamic and kinetic studies, analyzes the technical advantages and feasibility of combining displacement methods with traditional techniques, and explores the effects of multi-gas mixtures, such as N₂, CO₂, and H₂, and their ratios on hydrate extraction efficiency. Finally, this paper summarizes the technical challenges faced by displacement extraction methods for hydrates and offers future research directions to promote the development of multi-gas displacement technology for natural gas hydrates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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20 pages, 4155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Evolution Law of Temperature, Pressure, and Productivity near the Well for Gas Hydrate Exploitation by Depressurization

by Rongrong Qi, Hongfeng Lu, Chenlu Xu, Lu Yu, Changwen Xiao, Jinwen Du and Yan Li

Energies 2024, 17(15), 3728; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17153728 - 29 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 920

Abstract

In this paper, a one-dimensional model of gas–water two-phase productivity for hydrate depressurization is established, which takes into account permeability variation and gas–water two-phase flow. By solving the coupled algebraic equations of dissociation front position, equilibrium temperature, and pressure in an iterative scheme, [...] Read more.

In this paper, a one-dimensional model of gas–water two-phase productivity for hydrate depressurization is established, which takes into account permeability variation and gas–water two-phase flow. By solving the coupled algebraic equations of dissociation front position, equilibrium temperature, and pressure in an iterative scheme, the movement law of the hydrate dissociation front and the evolution process of temperature and pressure near the well were obtained, and the effects of bottom hole pressure, reservoir temperature, and hydrate saturation on productivity were analyzed. The results show that the hydrate reservoir is divided into a decomposed zone and an undecomposed zone by the dissociation front, and the temperature and pressure gradients of the former are greater than those of the latter. Reducing bottom hole pressure, increasing reservoir temperature, and increasing hydrate saturation all lead to an increase in temperature and pressure gradient in the decomposed zone. Methane gas production is a sensitive function of bottom hole pressure, reservoir temperature, and hydrate saturation. The lower the bottom hole pressure, the higher the reservoir temperature, the lower the hydrate saturation (within a certain range), and the higher the gas production rate. The trend of the water production curve is the same as that of gas, but the value is 3–4 orders of magnitude smaller, which may be due to the large difference in the viscosity of gas and water, and the gas seepage speed is much larger than that of water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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24 pages, 9394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation of Gas Production Behavior Using Radial Lateral Well and Horizontal Snake Well Depressurization Mining of Hydrate Reservoir in the Shenhu Sea Area of the South China Sea

by Tinghui Wan, Mingming Wen, Hongfeng Lu, Zhanzhao Li, Zongheng Chen, Lieyu Tian, Qi Li, Jia Qu and Jingli Wang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1204; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071204 - 17 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1101

Abstract

Improving the production capacity of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) is crucial for their commercial development. Based on the data of the first on-site testing production of NGHs in the Shenhu Sea area, numerical methods were used to analyze the production behavior of radial [...] Read more.

Improving the production capacity of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) is crucial for their commercial development. Based on the data of the first on-site testing production of NGHs in the Shenhu Sea area, numerical methods were used to analyze the production behavior of radial lateral well (RLW) and horizontal snake well (HSW) with different completion lengths when they deployed at different layers of the Class-1 type hydrate reservoir (with a fixed pressure difference of 6 MPa and continuous production for 360 days). The results indicate that compared with the single vertical well production, RLW and HSW can effectively increase production capacity by enlarging drainage area and the productivity is directly proportional to the total completion length. The RLW and HSW deployed at the three-phase layer (TPL) have optimal mining performance within a 360-day production period. Different to the previous research findings, during a short-term production period of 360 days, regardless of the deployment layer, the overall production capacity of HSW is better than RLW’s. The total gas production of HSW-2 circles well type is about four times that of a single vertical well, reaching 1.554 × 10⁷ ST m³. Moreover, the HSW-1 lateral well type stands out with an average Q_g of 3.63 × 10⁴ ST m³/d and a specific production index J of 16.93; it has the highest J-index among all well types, which means the best mining efficiency. It is recommended to choose the HSW-1 circle well type, if the coiled tubing drilling technique is used for on-site testing production of NGHs in the future. The research results provide insights into the potential applications of RLW and HSW in this sea area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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18 pages, 17071 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiphysics Measurements for Detection of Gas Hydrate Formation in Undersaturated Oil Coreflooding Experiments with Seawater Injection

by Bianca L. S. Geranutti, Mathias Pohl, Daniel Rathmaier, Somayeh Karimi, Manika Prasad and Luis E. Zerpa

Energies 2024, 17(13), 3280; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133280 - 4 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1085

Abstract

A solid phase of natural gas hydrates can form from dissolved gas in oil during cold water injection into shallow undersaturated oil reservoirs. This creates significant risks to oil production due to potential permeability reduction and flow assurance issues. Understanding the conditions under [...] Read more.

A solid phase of natural gas hydrates can form from dissolved gas in oil during cold water injection into shallow undersaturated oil reservoirs. This creates significant risks to oil production due to potential permeability reduction and flow assurance issues. Understanding the conditions under which gas hydrates form and their impact on reservoir properties is important for optimizing oil recovery processes and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of oil reservoirs subject to waterflooding. In this work, we present two fluid displacement experiments under temperature control using Bentheimer sandstone core samples. A large diameter core sample of 3 inches in diameter and 10 inches in length was instrumented with multiphysics sensors (i.e., ultrasonic, electrical conductivity, strain, and temperature) to detect the onset of hydrate formation during cooling/injection steps. A small diameter core sample of 1.5 inches in diameter and 12 inches in length was used in a coreflooding apparatus with high-precision pressure transducers to determine the effect of hydrate formation on rock permeability. The fluid phase transition to solid hydrate phase was detected during the displacement of live-oil with injected water. The experimental procedure consisted of cooling and injection steps. Gas hydrate formation was detected from ultrasonic measurements at 7 °C, while strain measurements registered changes at 4 °C after gas hydrate concentration increased further. Ultrasonic velocities indicated the pore-filling morphology of gas hydrates, resulting in a high hydrate saturation of theoretically up to 38% and a substantial risk of intrinsic permeability reduction in the reservoir rock due to pore blockage by hydrates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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28 pages, 11687 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Submarine Geological Risks and Secondary Disaster Issues during Natural Gas Hydrate Depressurization Production

by Xianzhuang Ma, Yujing Jiang, Peng Yan, Hengjie Luan, Changsheng Wang, Qinglin Shan and Xianzhen Cheng

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(5), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12050840 - 17 May 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1789

Abstract

The safe and efficient production of marine natural gas hydrates faces the challenges of seabed geological risk issues. Geological risk issues can be categorized from weak to strong threats in four aspects: sand production, wellbore instability, seafloor subsidence, and submarine landslides, with the [...] Read more.

The safe and efficient production of marine natural gas hydrates faces the challenges of seabed geological risk issues. Geological risk issues can be categorized from weak to strong threats in four aspects: sand production, wellbore instability, seafloor subsidence, and submarine landslides, with the potential risk of natural gas leakage, and the geological risk problems that can cause secondary disasters dominated by gas eruptions and seawater intrusion. If the gas in a reservoir is not discharged in a smooth and timely manner during production, it can build up inside the formation to form super pore pressure leading to a sudden gas eruption when the overburden is damaged. There is a high risk of overburden destabilization around production wells, and reservoirs are prone to forming a connection with the seafloor resulting in seawater intrusion under osmotic pressure. This paper summarizes the application of field observation, experimental research, and numerical simulation methods in evaluating the stability problem of the seafloor surface. The theoretical model of multi-field coupling can be used to describe and evaluate the seafloor geologic risk issues during depressurization production, and the controlling equations accurately describing the characteristics of the reservoir are the key theoretical basis for evaluating the stability of the seafloor geomechanics. It is necessary to seek a balance between submarine formation stability and reservoir production efficiency in order to assess the optimal production and predict the region of plastic damage in the reservoir. Prediction and assessment allow measures to be taken at fixed points to improve reservoir mechanical stability with the numerical simulation method. Hydrate reservoirs need to be filled with gravel to enhance mechanical strength and permeability, and overburden need to be grouted to reinforce stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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18 pages, 4110 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Entrainment on the Liquid Film Behavior in Pipe Elbows

by Zhenqiang Xie and Xuewen Cao

Energies 2024, 17(8), 1983; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17081983 - 22 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1194

Abstract

Multiphase flow entrainment in natural gas engineering significantly influences the safety and efficiency of oil companies since it affects both the flow and the heat transfer process, but its mechanisms are not fully understood. Additionally, current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodologies seldom consider [...] Read more.

Multiphase flow entrainment in natural gas engineering significantly influences the safety and efficiency of oil companies since it affects both the flow and the heat transfer process, but its mechanisms are not fully understood. Additionally, current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodologies seldom consider entrainment behavioral changes in pipe elbows. In this article, a verified CFD method is used to study the entrainment behavior, mechanism, and changes in an elbow. The results show that droplet diameter in a developed annular flow follows a negative skewness distribution; as the radial distance (from the wall) increases, the fluctuation in the droplets becomes stronger, and the velocity difference between the gas and the droplets increases linearly. Turbulence bursts and vortices sucking near the wall jointly contribute to droplet entrainment. As the annular flow enters the elbow, the secondary flow promotes the film expansion to the upper and lower parts of the pipe. Droplets re-occur near the elbow exit intrados, and their size is much smaller than those in the upstream pipe. Vortices sucking under low gas velocity play an important role in this process. These findings provide guidelines for safety and flow assurance issues in natural gas production and transportation and bridge the gap between multiphase flow theory and natural gas engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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21 pages, 31521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation of Production Behavior with Different Complex Structure Well Types in Class 1-Type Hydrate Reservoir

by Tinghui Wan, Zhanzhao Li, Mingming Wen, Zongheng Chen, Lieyu Tian, Qi Li, Jia Qu and Jingli Wang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(3), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12030508 - 19 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1304

Abstract

Enhancing the production capacity of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) is critical for its commercial development. Complex structure wells may efficiently increase drainage areas while enhancing exploitation efficiency. Based on the field data of China’s first offshore NGH test production, the numerical method was [...] Read more.

Enhancing the production capacity of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) is critical for its commercial development. Complex structure wells may efficiently increase drainage areas while enhancing exploitation efficiency. Based on the field data of China’s first offshore NGH test production, the numerical method was used to analyze the production performance of different complex structure well types by continuous depressurization production for 360 days under the preconditions of fixed effective completion length of 300 m and a pressure difference of 6 MPa. Results indicated that the complex structure well types deployed at the three-phase layer demonstrated superior production performance within 240 days of production; the DLW2 and HW2 well types stood out, with an average gas production rate Q_g reaching 43,333 m³/d and a specific production index J of 24.1. After 360 days of production, benefiting from multi-layer combined production, the Cluster vertical well deployed at the multi-layer had the best production performance, with an average Q_g of 34,444 m³/d and a J-index of 19.1. The research results provided insights into the complex structure well-type selection strategy for NGH depressurization in this sea area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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21 pages, 13437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Controlling Factors of Vertical Geochemical Variations in Hydrate-Rich Sediments at the Site GMGS5-W08 in the Qiongdongnan Basin, Northern South China Sea

by Huaxin Liu, Meijun Li, Hongfei Lai, Ying Fu, Zenggui Kuang and Yunxin Fang

Energies 2024, 17(2), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020412 - 14 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1480

Abstract

Large amounts of natural gas hydrates have been discovered in the Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB), South China Sea. The chemical and stable carbon isotopic composition shows that the hydrate-bound gas was a mixture of thermogenic and microbial gases. It is estimated that microbial gas [...] Read more.

Large amounts of natural gas hydrates have been discovered in the Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB), South China Sea. The chemical and stable carbon isotopic composition shows that the hydrate-bound gas was a mixture of thermogenic and microbial gases. It is estimated that microbial gas accounts for 40.96% to 60.58%, showing a trend of decrease with the increase in burial depth. A significant amount of gas hydrates is thought to be stored in the mass transport deposits (MTDs), exhibiting vertical superposition characteristics. The stable carbon isotopic values of methane (δ¹³C₁) in the MTD1, located near the seabed, are less than −55‰, while those of the methane below the bottom boundary of MTD3 are all higher than −55‰. The pure structure I (sI) and structure II (sII) gas hydrates were discovered at the depths of 8 mbsf and 145.65 mbsf, respectively, with mixed sI and sII gas hydrates occurring in the depth range 58–144 mbsf. In addition, a series of indigenous organic matters and allochthonous hydrocarbons were extracted from the hydrate-bearing sediments, which were characterized by the origin of immature terrigenous organic matter and low-moderate mature marine algal/bacterial materials, respectively. More allochthonous (migrated) hydrocarbons were also discovered in the sediments below the bottom boundary of MTD3. The gas hydrated is “wet gas” characterized by a low C₁/(C₂ + C₃) ratio, from 2.55 to 43.33, which was mainly derived from a deeply buried source kitchen at a mature stage. There is change in the heterogeneity between the compositions of gas and biomarkers at the site GMGS5-W08 along the depth and there is generally a higher proportion of thermogenic hydrocarbons at the bottom boundary of each MTDs, which indicates a varying contribution of deeply buried thermogenic hydrocarbons. Our results indicate that the MTDs played a blocking role in regulating the vertical transportation of hydrate-related gases and affect the distribution of gas hydrate accumulation in the QDNB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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27 pages, 13513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation of Improved Gas Production from Oceanic Gas Hydrate Accumulation by Permeability Enhancement Associated with Geomechanical Response

by Rui Wang, Jiecheng Zhang, Tianju Wang and Hailong Lu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(7), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11071468 - 23 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1728

Abstract

In the Shenhu Area of the South China Sea, although some numerical studies are conducted on the gas production at well SHSC-4, the geomechanical responses have not been taken into account, and the associated impact of permeability enhancement on gas production has not [...] Read more.

In the Shenhu Area of the South China Sea, although some numerical studies are conducted on the gas production at well SHSC-4, the geomechanical responses have not been taken into account, and the associated impact of permeability enhancement on gas production has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, pTOUGH+HYDRATE V1.5 coupled with the RGMS is applied to account for geomechanical responses. Based on actual geological conditions, the reservoir model has five layers: the hydrate-bearing layer (HBL), the three-phase layer (TPL), the free gas layer (FGL), the overburden, and the underburden. The numerical results match the trial production data, validating the numerical model. The analysis shows that gas production from the FGL contributed the most (72.17%) to the cumulative gas production (V_g), followed by the TPL (23.54%) and the HBL (4.29%). The cumulative water-to-gas ratio (R_wgT) gradually decreased during gas production, with the HBL exhibiting the highest value. Permeability enhancement can improve gas production, with the FGL being the most responsive to such enhancement. It increased V_g by 87% and reduced R_wgT to 85%. To achieve more realistic production schemes and better enhance energy recovery, it is advisable to conduct numerical investigations that incorporate geomechanical considerations due to the intricate nature of hydrate-bearing sediments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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10 pages, 1705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Principle and Feasibility Study of Proposed Hydrate-Based Cyclopentane Purification Technology

by Xianbing Hu, Lingjie Sun, Chengyang Yuan, Man Li, Hongsheng Dong, Lunxiang Zhang, Lei Yang, Jiafei Zhao and Yongchen Song

Energies 2023, 16(12), 4681; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124681 - 13 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1614

Abstract

The separation of azeotropic mixtures has conventionally been one of the most challenging tasks in industrial processes due to the fact that components in the mixture will undergo gas–liquid phase transition at the same time. We proposed a method for separating azeotropes using [...] Read more.

The separation of azeotropic mixtures has conventionally been one of the most challenging tasks in industrial processes due to the fact that components in the mixture will undergo gas–liquid phase transition at the same time. We proposed a method for separating azeotropes using hydrate formation as a solid–liquid phase transition. The feasibility of hydrate-based separation is determined by analyzing the crystal structure and chemical bonds of hydrate. Taking the azeotrope cyclopentane and neohexane in petroleum as an example, cyclopentane (95%) was purified to 98.56% yield using the proposed hydrate-based cyclopentane purification technology. However, this is difficult to achieve using conventional distillation methods. The proposed method is simple in operation and yields a good separation effect. This study provides a new method for separating cyclopentane and neohexane. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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4 pages, 727 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Formation, Exploration, and Development of Natural Gas Hydrates

by Hongsheng Dong, Lunxiang Zhang and Jiaqi Wang

Energies 2022, 15(16), 5951; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15165951 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2133

Abstract

Currently, natural gas hydrates (NGHs) have been proposed as promising and environmentally friendly carbon-based energy sources that are beneficial for mitigating the traditional energy crises [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Formation, Exploration and Development of Natural Gas Hydrate)

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