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A numerical investigation into gas production under worst case scenario of limited heat transfer

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Abstract

Depressurization technique is considered as one of the most promising techniques in dissociating gas hydrates. However, since dissociation of hydrates is an endothermic process. Dissociation alone through depressurization is not a feasible technique due to limited heat transfer. The reduced heat transfer results in rapid cooling, thereby causing reduced permeability due to ice formation and re-formation of hydrates. The objective of the current study is to investigate the viability of depressurization under worst case scenario of suppressed heat transfer. The worst case scenario is simulated by employing Newman boundary of no heat flux from the surroundings. The novelty of the present work lies in investigating the gas production behavior using depressurization in a worst case scenario. For this purpose, a 2D model is applied for a 150 m × 150 m system. A production well is placed at the center of the domain. The depressurization is performed by the withdrawal of fluids from the production well. In order to determine the suitable depressurization rate, the withdrawal of fluids is carried out within a range of 0.01–0.6 kg/s. The overall cumulative production at the well (mass of CH4) is determined. In this study, we demonstrate that three major causes, namely ice formation, secondary hydrates and reservoir achieving steady state are responsible for stopping of gas production. Insights into the dissociation behavior of the cases analysed are obtained from the contours of gas, water, hydrate, pressure, equilibrium pressure, temperature, relative gas permeability, and relative water permeability.

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Abbreviations

b:

Slippage factor

cR :

Specific heat capacity of rock [J/(kg K)]

Ea:

Activation energy (J/mol)

FA :

Area adjustment factor

feq:

Equilibrium fugacity of gas phase

fg:

Fugacity of gas phase

g:

Gravitational acceleration (m/s2)

G:

Gas phase denotation

H:

Height of hydrate reservoir (m)

Hdep :

Specific enthalpy of departure of gas (J/kg)

Hm :

Specific enthalpy of methane in water (J/kg)

Hisol :

Specific enthalpy corresponding to inhibitor dissolution in water (J/kg)

Hmsol :

Specific enthalpy corresponding to methane dissolution in water (J/kg)

hmG :

Specific enthalpy of methane in gas (J/kg)

hw :

Specific enthalpy of water in water (J/kg)

KA q :

Thermal conductivity of water [W/(m K)]

KG :

Thermal conductivity of gas [W/(m K)]

KH :

Thermal conductivity of hydrate [W/(m K)]

KI :

Thermal conductivity of ice [W/(m K)]

KR :

Thermal conductivity of rock [W/(m K)]

Kid :

Absorption distribution coefficient (m3/kg)

kd0 :

Intrinsic reaction rate of hydrate [mol/(m2 Pa s)]

k:

Intrinsic permeability (m2)

krA q :

Relative permeability of water

krg :

Relative permeability of gas

L:

Hydrate reservoir length (m)

Mm :

Molecular weight of CH4 (g/mol)

Mw :

Molecular weight of H2O (g/mol)

N:

Hydration number (6)

PA q :

Pressure exerted by water phase (Pa)

Peq :

Equilibrium pressure of hydrate (Pa)

PG :

Pressure exerted by gas phase (Pa)

qd :

Heat injection rate (W)

qI :

Water injection rate of water (m3/s)

R:

Gas constant

SW :

Saturation of water (fraction)

SG :

Saturation of gas (fraction)

SH :

Saturation of hydrate (fraction)

SICE :

Saturation of ice (fraction)

T:

Temperature of reservoir (°C)

t:

Time (s)

Udep :

Specific internal energy of departing gas mixture (J/kg)

umG :

Specific internal energy of CH4 in gas phase (J/kg)

uwG :

Specific internal energy of H2O in gas phase (J/kg)

uH :

Specific internal energy of gas hydrate (J/kg)

uI :

Specific internal energy of ice (J/kg)

um :

Specific internal energy of CH4 in water phase (J/kg)

MHSZ:

Methane hydrate stability zone

BHSZ:

Bottom of hydrate stability zone

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Funding

The funding for this research work was provided by Gas hydrate research and technology centre (Grant No. ONG-1160-CHD).

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Correspondence to Shadman Hasan Khan.

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Khan, S.H., Kumari, A., Dixit, G. et al. A numerical investigation into gas production under worst case scenario of limited heat transfer. Mar Geophys Res 42, 24 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-021-09445-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-021-09445-x

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