Sand production model in gas hydrate-bearing sediments

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analytical formulation that entails the features of sand production in gas hydrate-bearing sediments, including grain detachment, migration, sediment deformation and hydrate dissociation. The formulation is thermo-hydro-mechanically coupled such that grain detachment causes stress reduction, sediment shear deformation induces grain detachment and grain flow alters multiphase fluid pressure and temperature profiles. Through a series of analyses, the sensitivity of sand production related parameters on resulting solid volume changes is evaluated. Furthermore, the effect of various operational methods on mitigating sand production in hydrate-bearing sediments during gas production is numerically investigated. It is found that, out of the different operational methods investigated, lowering depressurization rate was the most effective in reducing sand production for a given gas production.