Thermal Reservoir Simulation Model of Production From Naturally Occurring Gas Hydrate Accumulations

Abstract

Summary Reservoir behavior of a hydrate-capped gas reservoir is modeled using a three-dimensional thermal reservoir simulator. The model incorporates a description of the phase behavior of the hydrates, heat flow and compaction in the reservoir and the hydrate cap. The model allows the calculation of well productivity, evaluation of well configurations and matching of experimental data. It shows the potentially self-sealing nature of the hydrate cap. Production scenarios were also investigated for production from the solid hydrate cap using horizontal wells and various ways of dissociating the gas hydrates. These investigations show the role of excessive water production and the requirement for water handling facilities. A data acquisition program is needed to obtain reservoir parameters for gas hydrate accumulations. Such parameters include relative phase permeability, heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the hydrate-filled formations, compaction parameters and rate of hydrate formation and decomposition in the reservoir.