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Methane hydrate formation and dissociationin a partially saturatedcore-scale sand sample

Journal Article · · Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering
OSTI ID:918808
We performed a series of experiments to provide data forvalidating numerical models of gas hydrate behavior in porous media.Methane hydrate was formed and dissociated under various conditions in alarge X-ray transparent pressure vessel, while pressure and temperaturewere monitored. In addition, X-ray computed tomography (CT) was used todetermine local density changes during the experiment. The goals of theexperiments were to observe changes occurring due to hydrate formationand dissociation, and to collect data to evaluate the importance ofhydrate dissociation kinetics in porous media. In the series ofexperiments, we performed thermal perturbations on the sand/water/gassystem, formed methane hydrate, performed thermal perturbations on thesand/hydrate/water/gas system resulting in hydrate formation anddissociation, formed hydrate in the resulting partially dissociatedsystem, and dissociated the hydrate by depressurization coupled withthermal stimulation. Our CT work shows significant water migration inaddition to possible shifting of mineral grains in response to hydrateformation and dissociation. The extensive data including pressure,temperatures at multiple locations, and density from CT data isdescribed.
Research Organization:
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
918808
Report Number(s):
LBNL--59051
Journal Information:
Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering Journal Issue: 1-3 Vol. 56; ISSN JPSEE6; ISSN 0920-4105
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English