Gas Production from Methane Hydrate in Cubic Hydrate Simulator Using Depressurization Method by Experimental and Numerical Studies

Abstract

Dissociation processes of methane hydrate in porous media using the depressurization method were investigated by a combination of experimental observations and numerical simulations. In situ methane hydrate was synthesized in the Cubic Hydrate Simulator (CHS), a 5.832-L cubic pressure vessel. During the experiment, constant-pressure depressurization method was used during the hydrate dissociation process. A single horizontal well at the center of the CHS was used as the production well. The hydrate is dissociated continuously under both depressurization and heat transfer from the boundaries. An interface separates the hydrate dissociated zone containing only gas and water from the undissociated zone containing the hydrate. The cumulative gas and water produced, the hydrate in the vessel and the temperature spatial distribution are simulated numerically.