Abstract
Natural gas hydrate has huge reserves and is widely distributed in marine environment. Its commercial development is of great significance for alleviating the contradiction between energy supply and demand. As an efficient research method, numerical simulation can provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of hydrate development. However, most of the current production models simplify the reservoir as a two-dimensional (2D) horizontal layered model, often ignoring the impact of formation dip angle. To improve the accuracy of production prediction and provide theoretical support for the optimization of production well design, two three-dimensional (3D) geological models with different dip angles based on the geological data from two typical sites are constructed. The vertical well, horizontal well and multilateral wells are deployed in these reservoirs with different permeabilities to perform production trial, and the sensitivity analysis of dip angles is also carried out. The short-term production behaviors in high and low permeability reservoirs with different dip angles are exhibited. The simulation results show that 1) the gas and water production behaviors for different well types in the two typical reservoirs show obviously different variation laws when the short-term depressurization is conducted in the inclined formation; 2) the inclined formation will reduce the gas production and increase the water extraction, and the phenomena becomes pronounced as the dip angle increases, particularly in the low-permeability reservoirs; 3) and the impact of formation dip on hydrate recovery does not change significantly with the variation of well type.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Abbreviations
- Q g :
-
gas production rate (ST m3 d−1)
- Q w :
-
water production rate (ST m3 d−1)
- V g :
-
total gas production (ST m3)
- V gp :
-
gas production per unit well length (ST m3)
- R gw :
-
gas-to-water ratio (ST m3 CH4/ST m3 H2O)
- P pw :
-
hydrostatic pore water pressure (MPa)
- P atm :
-
standard atmospheric pressure (MPa)
- h :
-
water depth (m)
- z :
-
depth of sediment from the seafloor (m)
- g :
-
acceleration due to gravity (m s−2)
- ρ sw :
-
average sea water density (kg m−3)
- T :
-
temperature (°C)
- T 0 :
-
geothermal gradient (°C)
- ΔT :
-
geothermal gradient (°C m−1)
References
Boswell, R. J., 2013. Japan completes first offshore methane hydrate production test-methane successfully produced from deep-water hydrate layers. Center for Natural Gas Oil, 412 (1): 386–7614.
Bu, Q., Hu, G., Liu, C., Dong, J., Xing, T., Sun, J., et al., 2021. Effect of methane gas on acoustic characteristics of hydrate-bearing sediment-model analysis and experimental verification. Journal of Ocean University of China, 20 (1): 75–86, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-021-4354-7.
Cao, X., Sun, J., Ning, F., Zhang, H., Wu, N., and Yu, Y., 2022. Numerical analysis on gas production from heterogeneous hydrate system in Shenhu area by depressurizing: Effects of hydrate-free interlayers. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 101: 104504, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2022.104504.
Chen, L., Feng, Y., Merey, S., Lijith, K. P., Singh, D. N., Komiya, A., et al., 2020a. Numerical investigation on gas production from Shenhu (China): Influence of layer inclination and horizontal inhomogeneities. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 82: 103509.
Chen, Q., Hu, G. W., Wu, N. Y., Liu, C. L., Meng, Q. G., Li, C. F., et al., 2020b. Evaluation of clayed silt properties on the behavior of hydrate production in South China Sea. China Geology, 3 (3): 362–368, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2020050.
Dong, L., Li, Y., Liu, C., Liao, H., Chen, G., Chen, Q., et al., 2019. Mechanical properties of methane hydrate-bearing interlayered sediments. Journal of Ocean University of China, 18 (6): 1344–1350, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-019-3929-z.
Dou, X. F., Ning, F. L., Li, Y. L., Liu, C. L., Sun, J. X., Li, Y, et al., 2020. Continuum-discrete coupling method for numerical simulation of sand production from hydrate reservoirs: A lab-scale case study. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 41 (5): 629–642 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Fujii, T., Noguchi, S., Takayama, T., Suzuki, K., Yamamoto, K., and Saeki, T., 2013. Site selection and formation evaluation at the 1st offshore methane hydrate production test site in the eastern Nankai Trough, Japan. 75th EAGE Conference & Exhibition–Workshops. European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, cp-349.
Gu, Y., Sun, J., Qin, F., Ning, F., Cao, X., Liu, T., et al., 2023. Enhancing gas recovery from natural gas hydrate reservoirs in the eastern Nankai Trough: Deep depressurization and under-burden sealing. Energy, 262: 125510.
Gu, Y., Sun, J., Qin, F., Ning, F., Li, Y., Cao, X., et al., 2022. Numerical analysis on gas production from silty hydrate reservoirs in the South China Sea by depressurizing: The effect of permeability reduction caused by pore compression. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 104: 104680, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2022.104680.
Hancock, S., Collett, T., Dallimore, S., Satoh, T., Inoue, T., Huenges, E., et al., 2005. Overview of thermal-stimulation production-test results for the JAPEX/JNOC/GSC et al. Mallik 5l-38 gas hydrate production research well. Scientific Results from the Mallik 2002 Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program, Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada. Geological Survey of Canada, CD-ROM.
Huang, L., Kang, J. L., Shen, X. D., Sun, J. Y., Meng, Q. G., Chen, Q., et al., 2022. Experimental investigation of hydrate formation in water-dominated pipeline and its influential factors. China Geology, 5: 1–12, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2022015.
Ji, Y. K., Liu, C. L., Zhang, Z., Meng, Q. G., Liu, L. L., Zhang, Y. C., et al., 2022. Experimental study on characteristics of pore water conversion during methane hydrate formation in unsaturated sand. China Geology, 5 (2): 1–9, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2022013.
Kurihara, M., Sato, A., Ouchi, H., Narita, H., Ebinuma, T., Suzuki, K., et al., 2010. Gas hydrate: Prediction of production test performances in eastern Nankai Trough methane hydrate reservoirs using 3D reservoir model. Offshore Technology Conference. Houston, OTC-20737-MS.
Li, J. F., Ye, J. L., Qin, X. W., Qiu, H. J., Wu, N. Y., Lu, H. L., et al., 2018a. The first offshore natural gas hydrate production test in South China Sea. China Geology, 1 (1): 5–16, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2018003.
Li, Q., Cheng, Y., Zhang, H., Yan, C., and Liu, Y., 2018b. Simulating the effect of hydrate dissociation on wellhead stability during oil and gas development in deepwater. Journal of Ocean University of China, 17 (1): 35–45, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-018-3544-4.
Li, X. S., Xu, C. G., Zhang, Y., Ruan, X. K., Li, G., and Wang, Y, 2016. Investigation into gas production from natural gas hydrate: A review. Applied Energy, 172: 286–322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.03.101.
Li, Y. L., Wan, Y. Z., Chen, Q., Sun, J. X., Wu, N. Y., Hu, G. W., et al., 2019a. Large borehole with multi-lateral branches: A novel solution for exploitation of clayey silt hydrate. China Geology, 2 (3): 331–339, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2018082.
Li, Y. L., Wu, N. Y., Ning, F. L., Hu, G. W., Liu, C. L., Dong, C. Y., et al., 2019b. A sand-production control system for gas production from clayey silt hydrate reservoirs. China Geology, 2 (2): 121–132, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2018081.
Mao, P., Sun, J., Ning, F., Chen, L., Wan, Y., Hu, G., et al., 2021a. Numerical simulation on gas production from inclined layered methane hydrate reservoirs in the Nankai Trough: A case study. Energy Reports, 7: 8608–8623, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.03.032.
Mao, P., Wan, Y., Sun, J., Li, Y., Hu, G., Ning, F., et al., 2021b. Numerical study of gas production from fine-grained hydrate reservoirs using a multilateral horizontal well system. Applied Energy, 301: 117450, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117450.
Mi, F., He, Z., Fang, B., Ning, F., and Jiang, G., 2022a. Molecular insights into the effects of surface property and pore size of non-swelling clay on methane hydrate formation. Fuel, 311: 122607.
Mi, F., He, Z., Jiang, G., and Ning, F., 2022b. Effects of marine environments on methane hydrate formation in clay nanopores: A molecular dynamics study. The Science of the Total Environment, 852: 158454.
Mi, F., He, Z., Zhao, Y., Jiang, G., and Ning, F., 2022c. Effects of surface property of mixed clays on methane hydrate formation in nanopores: A molecular dynamics study. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 627: 681–691.
Moridis, G. J., 2008. TOUGH+Hydrate v1.0 user’s manual: A code for the simulation of system behavior in hydrate-bearing geologic media. Online: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc896271.
Ning, F., Chen, Q., Sun, J., Wu, X., Cui, G., Mao, P., et al., 2022. Enhanced gas production of silty clay hydrate reservoirs using multilateral wells and reservoir reformation techniques: Numerical simulations. Energy, 254: 124220, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.124220.
Ning, F. L., Liang, J. Q., Wu, N. Y., Zhu, Y. H., Wu, S. G., Liu, C. L., et al., 2020. Reservoir characteristics of natural gas hydrates in China. Natural Gas Industry, 40 (8): 1–24 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Schoderbek, D., Farrell, H., Howard, J., Raterman, K., Silpngarmlert, S., Martin, K., et al., 2013. Conocophillips gas hydrate production test. Conocophillips Co., Houston. https://doi.org/10.2172/1123878.
Sloan, E. D. J., 2003. Fundamental principles and applications of natural gas hydrates. Nature, 426 (6964): 353–359.
Song, B., Cheng, Y., Yan, C., Lyu, Y., Wei, J., Ding, J., et al., 2019. Seafloor subsidence response and submarine slope stability evaluation in response to hydrate dissociation. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 65: 197–211, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2019.02.009.
Song, Y., Yang, L., Zhao, J., Liu, W., Yang, M., Li, Y., et al., 2014. The status of natural gas hydrate research in China: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 31: 778–791.
Sun, J., Gu, Y., Qin, F., Ning, F., Li, Y., Cao, X., et al., 2022. Key factors analyses for prediction of accurate gas production rate in hydrate reservoirs during model construction. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 102: 104566, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2022.104566.
Sun, J., Ning, F., Lei, H., Gai, X., Sánchez, M., Lu, J., et al., 2018. Wellbore stability analysis during drilling through marine gas hydrate-bearing sediments in Shenhu area: A case study. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 170: 345–367.
Sun, J., Ning, F., Liu, T., Li, Y., Lei, H., Zhang, L., et al., 2021a. Numerical analysis of horizontal wellbore state during drilling at the first offshore hydrate production test site in Shenhu area of the South China Sea. Ocean Engineering, 238: 109614.
Sun, J., Ning, F., Liu, T., Liu, C., Chen, Q., Li, Y., et al., 2019. Gas production from a silty hydrate reservoir in the South China Sea using hydraulic fracturing: A numerical simulation. Energy Science & Engineering, 7 (4): 1106–1122, https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.353.
Sun, J., Ning, F., Zhang, L., Liu, T., Peng, L., Liu, Z., et al., 2016. Numerical simulation on gas production from hydrate reservoir at the 1st offshore test site in the eastern Nankai Trough. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 30: 64–76, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2016.01.036.
Sun, J. X., Ning, F. L., Zheng, M. M., Zhang, L., Liu, T. L., Jiang, G. S., et al., 2015. Numerical simulation on natural gas hydrate formation within porous media using constant volume method. Natural Gas Geoscience, 26 (11): 2172–2184 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Sun, J. X., Zhang, L., Ning, F. L., Lei, H. W., Liu, T. L., Hu, G. W., et al., 2017. Production potential and stability of hy-drate-bearing sediments at the site GMGS3-W19 in the South China Sea: A preliminary feasibility study. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 86: 447–473.
Sun, J. X., Zhang, L., Ning, F. L., Liu, T. L., Fang, B., Li, Y. L., et al., 2021b. Research status and prospects of increasing production from gas hydrate reservoirs. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 42 (4): 523–540 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Sun, J. X., Zhao, H. B., Cao, X. X., and Mao, P. X., 2021c. Numerical simulation on depressurization-induced gas production from hydrate reservoirs in the Liwan area, South China Sea using horizontal well. Science Technology and Engineering, 21 (24): 10246–10256 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Wang, P., Zhu, Y., Lu, Z., Bai, M., Huang, X., Pang, S., et al., 2018. Research progress of gas hydrates in the Qilian Mountain permafrost, Qinghai, Northwest China: Review. Scientia Sinica Physica, Mechanica & Astronomica, 49 (3): 034606, https://doi.org/10.1360/sspma2018-00133.
Wu, N. Y., Liu, C. L., and Hao, X. L., 2018. Experimental simulations and methods for natural gas hydrate analysis in China. China Geology, 1 (1): 61–71, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2018008.
Wu, N., Li, Y., Wan, Y., Sun, J., Huang, L., and Mao, P., 2021. Prospect of marine natural gas hydrate stimulation theory and technology system. Natural Gas Industry, 8 (2): 100–115 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Xu, M., Fang, X., Ning, F., Ou, W., Zhang, L., and Wang, D., 2021. Effect of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles on hydrate formation during methane gas migration in a simulated wellbore. Petroleum, 7 (4): 485–495, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petlm.2021.11.004.
Yamamoto, K., and Dallimore, S. J. N. G., 2008. Aurora-JOG-MEC-NRCan Mallik 2006–2008 gas hydrate research project progress. Fire in the Ice–Mathane Hydrate Newsletter. The National Energy Technology Laboratory, 1–5.
Yamamoto, K., Wang, X. X., Tamaki, M., and Suzuki, K., 2019. The second offshore production of methane hydrate in the Nankai Trough and gas production behavior from a heterogeneous methane hydrate reservoir. RSC Advances, 9 (45): 25987–26013, https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ra00755e.
Yuan, Y., Xu, T., Xia, Y., and Xin, X., 2018. Effects of formation dip on gas production from unconfined marine hydrate-bearing sediments through depressurization. Geofluids, 2018: 1–11.
Zhang, W., Liang, J., Wei, J., Lu, J. A., Su, P., Lin, L., et al., 2020. Geological and geophysical features of and controls on occurrence and accumulation of gas hydrates in the first offshore gas-hydrate production test region in the Shenhu area, northern South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 114: 104191, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.104191.
Zhang, Z. C., Wu, N. Y., Liu, C. L., Hao, X. L., Zhang, Y. C., Gao, K., et al., 2022. Molecular simulation studies on natural gas hydrate nucleation and growth: A review. China Geology, 5 (2): 1–15, https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2022017.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 42372361 and 51904280), and the Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2018YFE0126400).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Qin, F., Sun, J., Gu, Y. et al. Numerical Simulation on Production Trials by Using Depressurization for Typical Marine Hydrate Reservoirs: Well Type and Formation Dip. J. Ocean Univ. China 23, 661–675 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-024-5566-4
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-024-5566-4