Abstract
The successful production trial in Ignik Sikumi located in Alaska North Slope showed the significant potential of applying the CH4–CO2 replacement method to natural hydrate production. The comparison on the mechanical behaviors of CH4 and CO2 hydrate-bearing sediments is the key factor in assessing the geomechanical stability of hydrate reservoirs before and after the CH4–CO2 replacement. Large amount of hydrates have been discovered in silty reservoirs. However, studies focusing on the mechanical behaviors of CH4 and CO2 hydrate-bearing silty sediments are rare to date. This paper reports the results of a comparative analysis of the mechanical behaviors, including the isotropic consolidation behaviors and stress-strain relationships of CH4 and CO2 hydrate-bearing silty sediments. The results show that the CH4 and CO2 hydrate-bearing silty sediments present similar compression and swelling indexes. Various hydrate saturation shows differential effects on the strength and stiffness of CH4 and CO2 hydrate-bearing silty sediments. In addition, CO2 hydrate-bearing silty sediments displays weaker contraction behaviors than that of CH4 hydrate-bearing silty sediments.
Published Version
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