Gas hydrates as an unconventional source of natural gas
- Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
Natural gas hydrates exist in large quantities, especially in regions above the arctic circle and below the earth`s oceans. Because hydrates contain large amounts of natural gas (about 200 standard volumes per unit volume of hydrate), they represent an important potential source of energy and methods for recovery of this gas need to be developed. Potential recovery techniques include (1) thermal stimulation, where hot water or other forms of heat are injected into the reservoir causing the hydrates to dissociate into water and gas which can then be recovered conventionally, and (2) pressure reduction techniques which rely upon the reduction of pressure in the vicinity of the hydrates which also causes the hydrate to decompose into gas and water. An analysis of each technique indicates that pressure reduction may be superior, but the viability of any production technique depends upon the location of the hydrates and the nature of the surrounding environment. For hydrates associated with free gas reservoirs, hydrates may make an important contribution to production.
- OSTI ID:
- 549168
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950264-; TRN: 95:006094-0038
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting and science innovation exposition, Atlanta, GA (United States), 16-21 Feb 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of 1995 AAAS annual meeting and science innovation exposition: Unity in diversity; Strauss, M.S. [ed.]; Heasley, C.; PB: 337 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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