南海神狐海域天然气水合物降压开采过程中储层的稳定性

储层稳定性是天然气水合物(以下简称水合物)开采所面临的关键问题之一,也是确保水合物安全高效开采的前提,目前相关的研究较少。为了分析降压法开采南海神狐海域水合物过程中储层的稳定性,根据该海域水合物的钻探资料,建立三维水合物降压开采地质模型,采用非结构网格对模型进行离散;在综合考虑水合物开采过程中的传热传质过程和沉积物变形过程的基础上,建立了热—流—固—化四场耦合的数学模型;基于非结构网格技术,采用有限单元方法对模型求解,获得水合物降压开采条件下的储层孔隙压力、温度、水合物饱和度和应力的时空演化特征,进而分析研究了该海域水合物降压开采过程中储层沉降、应力分布和稳定性。结果表明:(1)储层渗透率越大、井底降压幅度越大,沉降量越大,沉降速度越快;(2)开采过程中储层孔隙压力减小会导致有效应力增加,且近井处剪应力增加较明显,易发生剪切破坏;(3)储层有效应力的增加导致了储层沉降,沉降主要发生在开采的早期,开采60 d,储层最大沉降为32 mm,海底面最大沉降为14 mm。结论认为,南海神狐海域水合物储层渗透率低,储层压力降低的影响范围有限,在60 d的开采时间内,储层不会发生剪切破坏。

Reservoir stability in the process of natural gas hydrate production by depressurization in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea

Reservoir stability is a key factor in the production of natural gas hydrate (NGH), and also a prerequisite to ensuring safe and efficient NGH production. However, it has been rarely discussed. To analyze the reservoir stability in the process of NGH production by depressurization in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea, we established a 3D geological model of NGH production by depressurization on the basis of NGH drilling data in this area, which was then discretized by means of nonstructural grid. Then, the mathematical model coupling four fields (i.e. thermal, hydraulic, solid and chemical) was established considering the heat and mass transfer process and sediment transformation process during NGH production. The model was solved by the finite element method together with the nonstructural grid technology, and thus the time–space evolution characteristics of reservoir pore pressure, temperature, NGH saturation and stress in the condition of NGH production by depressurization were determined. Finally, reservoir subsidence, stress distribution and stability in the process of NGH production by depressurization in the Shenhu area were analyzed. The results obtained are as follows. First, the higher the reservoir permeability and the larger the bottom hole pressure drop amplitude are, the larger the subsidence amount and the higher the subsiding speed. Second, as the reservoir pore pressure decreases in the process of production, the effective stress increases and the shear stress near the well increases obviously, resulting in shear damage easily. Third, the increase of effective reservoir stress leads to reservoir subsidence, which mainly occurs in the early stage of NGH production. After the production for 60 days, the maximum reservoir subsidence reached 32 mm and the maximum subsidence of seabed surface was 14 mm. In conclusion, the NGH reservoirs in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea are of low permeability and the effect range of reservoir pressure drop is limited, so the reservoirs would not suffer from shear damage in the sixty-day-production period.