Challenges in Exploration

& Production of Natural gas Hydrates

By
K.Geetha Krishna Chowdary
P.Kavya
B.Tech (Petroleum Engg)
JNTU- Kakinada

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 GAS HYDRATES

1 ft3 of NGH = 164 ft3 of Natural Gas

0.8 m3 of water

The compact nature of the hydrate

structure makes for highly effective
packing of gas.

Factors influencing Gas Hydrate Formation

P&T
Pore Water Salinity
Availability of Gas & Water
Geo Thermal Gradient in zone of Hydrate formation
Gas Chemistry

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 Structure of Gas Hydrates

The hydroca rbon hydra te s are non-s toichiome tric subs ta nce s

Distinguishe d by the size of the cavities and the ratio be twe e n large and sma ll cavities

The size and sha pe of the gues t molecule influence s the structure forme d
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Classification of Hydrates & Hydrate Stable zone
Class 1:-
Hydrate-bearing layer + underlying two-phase layer of mobile gas and water
This type of hydrate is considered as the most promising reserve

Class 2:-
Hydrate-bearing layer + Free Water
Pressure Depletion is small comparatively

Class 3:-
Absence of an underlying zone of mobile fluids.
The whole hydrate-bearing layer is in P-T balance stability region.
Therefore, the gas production rate is slow during the exploitation
process

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Area Enclosed Between Phase boundary & Geothermal Gradient-
Hydrate Stable zone

The top of the HSZ is in most instances much shallower in the

onshore permafrost environment than in the oceanic environment.
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 Identifying Gas Hydrates
BSR
Strong Acoustic Impedance Contrast, causing seismic wave to reflect upwards

Mapped to the maximum depth of 1100 mts

Only indicator but doesnt quantifies the amount

Measures Physical properties of sediments adjacent to formation

Resistivity of massive CH4 hydrate is of order 150-170 .mtr

Based on Pockmarks & mud diapers which is indicated by

reliefs

Whether Present/ only past hydrate presence is unknowable

from this data
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 Dissociation/ Production
Replacement
Destabilizing
Thermal CO2
Depressurization
Stimulation Replacement

Thermodynamically more stable

Production with Underlying Spontaneous reaction
Free Gas CO2 distribution in the hydrate is easier than
Free water CH4
No fluid
Diffusion processes appeared to be the
dominant driving

Endothermic nature of dissociation, more Heat is needed.

Heat flux Area, no of Huff & Puff Cycles

Production efficiency can be improved by prolonging the hot

water injection time (limited by the stronger pressurization effect)

Most of the heat is lost to non-hydrate bearing strata

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 Decomposition
Amount & The rate of
the heat injected

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 Landslide & Subsidence

Global Warming

Mechanical Hazard-Safety Issue

Hydrate presence would inhibit normal compaction & cementing

Water Disposal

Drilling Hazard

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 Case Study
1st Onshore Production test at Mallik field

1o objective to measure and monitor the production response

(Prospect)
Winter 2007
Production Test Winter 2008

Experience with test wells at Mallik and elsewhere suggests that most
problems in drilling and completion of gas hydrate wells can be
foreseen and successfully dealt with at the design stage, including
using:
Chilled drilling fluids
Sand control methods
Ports for injecting chemicals and provisions for near-wellbore Heating
Monitoring devices
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 Production Tests
Winter 2007 ( 1 day test )
Estimates of formation
permeability 0.1 to 1 Md
Natural fractures are ubiquitous
to the gas-hydrate-bearing
interval
A substantial inflow of sand into
the bore did occurred
Several flow responses were
observed, with the flow rate
during the latter part of the test
exceeding 5,000 m3/day (180
Mcf/day) .
Non-uniform formation response
was observed.
( 1,093 to 1,105 m)
Winter 2008 (six-day test )
An ESP pump, down hole
sensing instrumentation and an
electric borehole
Sand screens were installed
across the production interval
Three BHP of approximately
7.3 MPa, 5 MPa and 4 Mpa
were achieved.
An average flow - 70 Mcf/day,
with peak rates as 160 Mcf/day
Total water production was less
than 625 bbls (3,500 ft3).
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Consumption of Natural Gas is 100BCM/Year

1% = 18.94 TCM = 189 Years 15

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Depressurization
500 psi

750 psi

1000 psi

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Methane Production is slow when the P-T conditions were
near the Methane Hydrate stability & at CO2 Pressure values
near saturation levels

CO2 Substitution into Methane Hydrate Crystal

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