Development of a Numerical Simulator for Analyzing the Geomechanical Performance of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments.

Rutqvist, J. ; Moridis, G. J.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Hydrates;    Sediments;    Bearings;    Design;    Dissiciation;   

RP-ID  :  DE2008934772

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

In this paper, we describe the development and application of a numerical simulator that analyzes the geomechanical performance of hydrate-bearing sediments, which may become an important future energy supply. The simulator is developed by coupling a robust numerical simulator of coupled fluid flow, hydrate thermodynamics, and phase behavior in geologic media (TOUGH+HYDRATE) with an established geomechanical code (FLAC3D). We demonstrate the current simulator capabilities and applicability for two examples of geomechanical responses of hydrate bearing sediments during production-induced hydrate dissociation. In these applications, the coupled geomechanical behavior within hydrate-bearing seducements are considered through a Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model, corrected for changes in pore-filling hydrate and ice content, based on laboratory data. The results demonstrate how depressurization-based gas production from oceanic hydrate deposits may lead to severe geomechanical problems unless care is taken in designing the production scheme. We conclude that the coupled simulator can be used to design production strategies for optimizing production, while avoiding damaging geomechanical problems.