Mechanical experiments and constitutive model of natural gas hydrate reservoirs

Natural gas hydrate is a new type of green energy resources and has great development prospects, and it has attracted worldwide attentions. The exploitation of natural gas hydrate may result in a series of geological disasters. Therefore, the constitutive model of natural gas hydrate bearing sediments needs to be established to reveal deformation laws of the reservoir sediments and accurately evaluate mechanical properties of hydrate reservoirs. This is the basic guarantees for the effective exploitation of natural gas hydrate resources. The triaxial compressive tests were conducted on samples of natural gas hydrate sediment. Furthermore, the Duncan-Chang hyperbolic model was modified by considering the influences of hydrate saturation based on the test results to obtain the constitutive model according with the deformation characteristics of natural gas hydrate reservoirs. The results show that the stress-strain curves of natural gas hydrate reservoirs show unobvious compaction stage and peak strength, short elastic stage, long yield stage, and significant strain hardening characteristics. After applying loads on natural gas hydrate bearing sediments, the internal solid particles were dislocated and slid. When the loads were small, the sediments demonstrated elastic deformation. With the increase of loads, plastic flows appeared in the interior, and the hydrate crystals were re-orientated, thus the sediments showing plastic deformation. Initial tangent elastic modulus increased with the effective confining pressures, which had little correlations with hydrate saturation. Furthermore, the damage ratio increases with the increase of effective confining pressures, while slightly decreases with the increase of natural gas hydrate saturation. The predicted results of stress-strain curves of sediments with different hydrate saturations well coincide with the results of triaxial compressive tests, indicting the feasibility and rationality of this model.     

含水合物沉积物的渗透率实验研究

天然气水合物储层的渗透率是影响水合物开采时气、水运移的关键,也是水合物开采潜力评价、资源评价、开采工艺选择等需要了解的关键参数.目前,国内外学者对天然气水合物储层的渗透率进行了一定的研究并有了初步认识.但是,对于围压、轴向压力、水合物饱和度、赋存模式等对水合物沉积物渗透率的影响机制和机理还不清楚.本文在自主设计的水合物...     

含水合物沉积物力学-声学联合试验设备的开发和初步应用

为开展天然气水合物沉积物力学、声学特性的试验研究，对高压-温控三轴试验设备的管道线路进行重新规划，并引入GCTS超声波测试系统。为了检验仪器性能，利用福建标准砂和甲烷气体制备不同水合物饱和度的沉积物试样，开展不同有效围压下的三轴排水剪切试验。结果表明：设备能稳定制备含水合物试样并进行力学试验，试验全过程可实时测试试样的压缩波速和剪切波速；波速变化与试样内部密实度、颗粒分布的变化等密切相关，可反映试样体积的变化及剪切初期的剪胀特性；通过固结后的波速计算试样的泊松比，在0.16～0.31之间。     

基于电-力-声多物理场耦合数值模型的含水合物多孔介质声速和衰减特性研究

在物理模拟实验中对水合物微观赋存模式和饱和度进行准确控制和评价尚存在技术困难,仅依赖实验技术研究含水合物沉积物声学特性、建立储层参数解释模型存在局限性。采用基于有限元的数字岩石物理技术,针对悬浮、接触和胶结三种典型的水合物微观赋存模式分别建立多孔介质的三维电-力-声多物理场耦合模型,考察了微观赋存模式和水合物饱和度对多孔介质声速和衰减的影响规律,对比了声速数值模拟与理论模型计算结果,建立了声波衰减参数与水合物饱和度之间的关系式。研究结果表明：（1）对于三种水合物赋存模式,由于水合物相比孔隙水具有更高的弹性模量,多孔介质的声速随着水合物饱和度的增大而增大;水合物的存在导致声波在传播过程中遇到更多不连续的声阻抗界面,声衰减随着水合物饱和度的增大而近似线性增大;（2）悬浮和接触赋存模式条件下,水合物饱和度对多孔介质的声速和衰减影响规律基本一致;对于相同的水合物饱和度,胶结模式条件下含水合物多孔介质具有更高的声速和更小的声衰减;（3）通过合理选择参数值,利用权重方程与Lee改进的Biot-Gassmann Theory(BGTL)模型估算的含悬浮和接触模式水合物多孔介质的声速较为准确;通过等效...     

Compressional wave velocity of hydrate-bearing bentheimer sediments with varying pore fillings

A potential alternative energy resource to meet energy demands is the vast amount of gas stored in hydrate reserves. However, major challenges in terms of exploration and production surround profitable and effective exploitation of these reserves. The measurement of acoustic velocity is a useful method for exploration of gas hydrate reserves and can be an efficient method to characterize the hydrate-bearing sediments. In this study, the compressional wave velocity (P-wave velocity) of consolidated sediments (Bentheimer) with and without tetrahydrofuran hydrate-bearing pore fillings were measured using the pulse transmission method. The study has found that the P-wave velocity of consolidated sediments increase with increasing hydrate formation and confining pressure. Of the two samples tested, the increase in wave velocity of the dry and hydrate-bearing samples amounted to 27.6% and 31.9%, respectively. Interestingly, at the initial stage of hydrate formation, there was no change in P-wave velocity, which was followed by a steady increase as the hydrate crystals began to agglomerate and then it increased rapidly to a constant value, suggesting that the test solution had converted to a hydrate solid.     

Fundamental characteristics of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the Shenhu area,South China Sea

The basic physical properties of marine natural gas hydrate deposits are important to the understanding of seabed growth conditions, occurrence regularity, and occurrence environment of natural gas hydrates. A comprehensive analysis of the core samples of drilling pressure-holding hydrate deposits at a depth of 1310 m in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea was conducted. The experimental results indicate that the particle size in the hydrate sediment samples are mainly distributed in the range from 7.81 µm to 21.72 µm, and the average particle size decreases as the depth of the burial increases. The X-ray CT analytical images and surface characteristics SEM scan images suggest that the sediment is mostly silty clay. There are a large number of bioplastics in the sediment, and the crack inside the core may be areas of hydrate formation.     

天然气水合物降压开采储层稳定性模型分析

储层稳定性是天然气水合物开采所面临的关键问题。本文基于多孔介质流体动力学和弹性力学,建立了天然气水合物降压开采储层稳定性数学模型,包括储层沉降和井壁稳定性分析两个方面,并以墨西哥湾某处水合物藏的基本参数为例,进行了水合物降压开采储层稳定性的模拟计算。结果表明,在水合物降压开采的过程中,孔隙流体压力降低导致了储层的沉降,最大的沉降发生在井壁附近,水合物分解会加剧储层的沉降;降低井孔压力会造成井壁破坏的潜在危险,在井壁附近,周向和垂向应力达到最大处容易发生失稳破坏,地层的水平应力差会增加井壁的不稳定性。     

祁连山冻土区天然气水合物形成对岩芯电阻率及介电常数的影响

选取祁连山天然气水合物钻探区DK-8井岩心样品中的砂岩,利用模拟气合成含天然气水合物砂岩样品,并进行电阻率及介电常数研究。砂岩样品在天然气水合物形成后电阻率明显增大。在温度震荡过程中,电阻率测量能检测到水合物或冰的二次形成。在天然气水合物形成过程中,体系的介电常数变化规律复杂,在1 kHz ~ 100 kHz频段内,含水合物岩石的介电常数存在频散特性,频率高于100 kHz,频散特性变弱。从介电常数的实验结果来看,基于介电常数的电法勘探技术可用来定性分析含水合物储层,但很难定量研究储层的水合物饱和度。     

天然气水合物开发的水平井控水控砂完井研究进展

2020年第二次南海水合物试采证明水平井是实现产业化的重要途径,计划在2030年南海天然气水合物商业开发中补齐粤港澳大湾区天然气供给的短板。但我国海洋水合物甜点多赋存在高含水、边底水丰富的非成岩泥质粉砂储层,水平井开发过程中储层水（排液）易携泥砂（出砂）脊进突入井筒导致产量降低,水平井控水控砂完井是产业化的瓶颈问题之一。针对第二次水平井开发水合物出现的新问题,分析了海洋天然气水合物储层开发过程中的水平井非均衡排液出砂情况,总结了国内外水平井控水控砂实验、模拟和现场的进展,提出了水平井开采水合物控水控砂的难点及我国面临的挑战。分析结果表明,天然气水合物储层开发的水平井控水控砂与常规油气开发存在共性问题,也有其自身分解特点及其赋存的非成岩储层有关的特性问题。针对我国海域天然气水合物储层间各向异性明显、潜在的“四气合采”和“碳封存”,对水合物水平井控水控砂抽取和注入提出了具体的研究思路及建议,以期推动海洋天然气水合物产业化开发进程。     

BSR与CSEM识别天然气水合物的优缺点对比

天然气水合物是一种分布广泛的新型清洁能源,是目前能源勘探界的研究热点之一。提升天然气水合物勘探技术以探测天然气水合物分布和进行资源量估算,对我国天然气水合物的开采和利用至关重要。本文对比总结了似海底反射（BSR）和海洋可控源电磁法（CSEM）识别天然气水合物的优势与局限性。结果表明,BSR是目前识别海洋天然气水合物的一种常用且重要的方法,但BSR与天然气水合物的存在并非一一对应,难以准确估算天然气水合物饱和度和资源量。海洋CSEM能相对准确地识别天然气水合物,并可通过获取储层电阻率估算天然气水合物饱和度和储量。两者的结合将有效提高天然气水合物的钻探成功率、降低勘探风险和节约勘探成本。     

多孔介质中甲烷水合物的微观分布对电阻率的影响

电阻率测井技术是天然气水合物储层资源量估算的重要手段,明确储层电阻率与水合物在沉积物孔隙中微观分布的关系对准确估算水合物饱和度有重要意义。使用自主研发的天然气水合物计算机断层扫描（CT）技术-电阻率测量装置,开展多孔介质中甲烷水合物生成实验,同时进行CT观测与电阻率测试,得到了反应过程中扫描图像和电阻率数据,讨论了孔隙中水合物在不同微观分布模式下电阻率与水合物饱和度的关系。结果表明：水合物饱和度低于10.50%时,水合物以接触分布模式为主,与水合物对孔隙的填充效应相比,排盐效应更加显著,电阻率随水合物饱和度增大略有下降;水合物饱和度为10.50% ~ 22.34%时,水合物为悬浮与接触共存分布模式,悬浮分布模式下的水合物对孔隙水连通截面的阻塞作用较大,电阻率随水合物饱和度的增大急剧升高;水合物饱和度为22.34% ~ 27.50%时,水合物仍然为悬浮与接触共存分布模式,在大部分孔隙已被堵塞的情况下水合物的填充作用对电阻率影响较小,电阻率随水合物饱和度增大而升高的趋势逐渐变缓。可见,电阻率响应特性在不同的水合物饱和度范围下明显不同,与水合物的微观分布有关。     

南海北部陆坡天然气水合物成藏特征研究进展分析

南海北部陆坡区域构造地质控制着气源、流体疏导体系、富集空间及储层物性特征,因此,东沙海域、神狐海域、西沙海槽和琼东南盆地的水合物成藏条件及控制因素具有明显差异性。东沙海域深部气体可沿断层、裂缝、不整合面、砂岩疏导层和气烟囱等通道向上运移,并形成天然气水合物,具有渗漏型水合物产出特征;神狐海域水合物成藏与规模巨大的泥底辟活动相关,并与布莱克海台天然气水合物产出特征具有相似性;琼东南盆地中央坳陷带内为天然气水合物发育的重点区,底辟、泥火山或麻坑构造与天然气水合物发育密切相关。     

Analysis of physical properties of gas hydrate-bearing unconsolidated sediment samples from the ultra-deepwater area in the South China Sea

Marine natural gas hydrate has recently attracted global attention as a potential new clean energy source. Laboratory measurements of various physical properties of gas hydrate-bearing marine sediments can provide valuable information for developing efficient and safe extraction technology of natural gas hydrates. This study presents comprehensive measurement results and analysis of drilled hydrate-bearing sediments samples recovered from Qiongdongnan Basin in the South China Sea. The results show that the gas hydrate in the core samples is mainly methane hydrate with a methane content of approximately 95%, and the other components are ethane and carbon dioxide. The saturation of the samples fluctuates from 2%–60%, the porosity is approximately 38%–43%, and the water content is approximately 30%–50%, which indicate that high water saturation means that timely drainage should be paid attention to during hydrate extraction. In addition, the median diameter of the sediment samples is mainly distributed in the range of 15 to 34 μm, and attention should be paid to the prevention and control of sand production in the mining process. Moreover, the thermal conductivity is distributed in the range of 0.75 to 0.96 W/(m∙K) as measured by the flat plate heat source method. The relatively low thermal conductivity of hydrates at this study site indicates that a combined approach is encouraged for natural gas production technologies. It is also found that clay flakes and fine particles are attached to the surface of large particles in large numbers. Such characteristics will lead to insufficient permeability during the production process.     

Modeling the mechanical response of gas hydrate reservoirs in triaxial stress space

Exploitation of gas from deep-sea methane hydrate-bearing layers might lead to some geological disasters, including marine landslides and excessive settlement of marine ground. The first offshore gas production tests for methane hydrate-bearing sediments were carried out in eastern Nankai Trough. However, knowledge on mechanical behavior of gas hydrate reservoirs with similar gradation and minerology component to the marine sediment is still insufficient. Consequently, proper modeling of geomechanical properties of methane hydrate-bearing sediments is crucial for reservoir simulation and deep ocean ground stability analysis for long-term gas production in the future. This study conducted a series of triaxial shear tests to examine the shear response of methane hydrate-bearing sediments with a similar grading curve and minerology components to the hydrate-rich sediments in Nankai Trough. The test results demonstrated that the presence of hydrate mass between sand grains altered the stress-strain pattern from strain-hardening to postpeak strain-softening. A simple constitutive model based on several empirical relationships of granular materials is proposed to describe the stress-strain relationship of methane hydrate-bearing sediments under triaxial stress condition. This model can reproduce the enhancement of shear strength, initial stiffness, and dilation behavior of methane hydrate-bearing sediments containing different amounts of fines content with a rise in the methane hydrate saturation at a wide range of effective confining pressures. The numerical results indicate that the parameter A associated with initial stiffness of stress-strain curve and the parameter $\text{α}$ related with dilation properties are jointly governed by the confining pressure, fines content, and hydrate saturation.     

自然界天然气水合物勘探开发概述

我国南海北部神狐区域海洋天然气水合物首次试采成功表明这种新型能源的巨大资源潜力,天然气水合物也越来越受到全社会关注,国家已将水合物开发列入中长期发展规划之中。本文首先介绍了当前自然界中水合物在全球的分布范围及资源量评估情况,接着分析了全球水合物勘探开发进展状态,然后从地震波反演、钻探取芯/测井以及室内实验室测试三个方面概述了野外水合物储层的勘探手段和赋存产状情况,最后根据不同水合物藏分类,阐述了相应的开采评估和技术方案,以及仍然面临的工艺难点和不确定性。借鉴水合物试验开采的经验,提出了我国水合物海陆并举、加快节奏的建议,可为水合物相关人员提供一定的参考。     

天然气水合物储层力学特性研究进展

自然界中的水合物一般产出于深水海底浅层未固结成岩的松散沉积物中和陆域冻土区岩石裂隙或孔隙中。水合物的分解会导致地层胶结强度、孔隙度、地质结构等发生变化，从而引发地质灾害，严重威胁水合物资源的安全开采。本文在大量调研文献的基础上，结合已有的天然气水合物制样、三轴力学测试研究现状和本构模型研究进展，系统分析影响含水合物沉积物的力学特性的主要因素和本构模型的发展趋势，梳理了获得的共识和存在的问题，提出了下一步研究方向，从而为下一步含水合物沉积物力学强度实验、本构模型开发以及储层稳定性研究等提供参考。     

含水合物松散沉积物声速剖面成像技术研究

本文基于射线理论的超声层析成像技术,采用自适应消噪技术除去天然气水合物（NGH）实验模型固有噪声,运用直射线追踪法和基于联合迭代重建算法（Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Techniques, SIRT）的迭代重建法实现超声层析成像的正演和反演,针对水合物实验获取的波形,得到NGH在松散沉积物中形成时的地层声速剖面结构图像。结果表明,使用超声层析成像技术获取的含NGH沉积物的二维声速剖面结构能够准确反应不同时刻沉积物中NGH饱和度及分布情况,并且纵横波速度剖面结构的变化趋势大体相同。同时本文也结合常用的NGH声速预测模型,针对实验数据,对声速与NGH饱和度之间的关系进行了讨论。     

Production behavior of methane hydrate in porous media using huff and puff method in a novel three-dimensional simulator

The gas production behavior of methane hydrate in porous media using the huff and puff method was investigated in the Cubic Hydrate Simulator (CHS), a novel developed three-dimensional 5.8-L cubic pressure vessel. Three horizontal layers equally divide the CHS into four regions. A 9-spot distribution of the vertical wells, a single horizontal well and a 25-spot distribution of the thermometers are arranged on each layer, respectively. The vertical wells at the axis of the CHS were used as the injection and production wells. The huff and puff method includes the injection, soaking and production stages. The amount of water injected and produced, the gas production rate, the percentage of the hydrate dissociation and the gas-to-water ratio were evaluated. Under the thermodynamic conditions in this work, the gas production from the sediment in this work using the huff and puff method is economically profitable from the relative criterion point of view. The sensitivity analysis demonstrates the dependence of the gas production on the initial hydrate saturation, and the temperature and the injection rate of the injected hot water.     

天然气水合物储层水力压裂研究进展

天然气水合物是一种广泛分布于海底地层中重要的未来战略能源,但在开采过程中,由于水合物储层介质颗粒粒径较小,孔隙多被固态水合物占据,储层渗透率低,制约着天然气水合物开采的产业化进程。当今水力压裂技术已广泛应用于低渗透油气藏的增产作业中,本文总结了近年来国内外对天然气水合物储层应用水力压裂技术的研究现状,从压裂实验、数值模拟和压裂液等方面进行了讨论。结果表明,水力压裂可以创造人工裂缝,扩大水合物解离面积,提高储层渗透率和天然气产量,有利于商业开发。储层的脆性响应问题、开发新型压裂液以及压裂对水合物储层地质安全的影响,都是水合物储层水力压裂研究亟待解决的问题。     

天然气水合物沉积物分解过程中本构关系研究

天然气水合物具有储量大、分布广泛、清洁燃烧等优点,近年来受到研究人员的广泛关注。为了实现天然气水合物资源的安全高效开采,对其沉积层的力学稳定性进行系统评估是十分必要的。本研究在实验室内重塑了40%孔隙度的天然气水合物沉积物试样,并基于力学实验设备,对其在不同围压条件下分解过程中的力学强度及变形进行了一系列测试,获取了相应的应力应变数据。研究结果表明,水合物分解会造成沉积层强度的降低。此外,基于实验数据,在借鉴土力学邓肯-张本构模型的基础上,考虑了围压及分解时间对沉积物力学特性的影响,本文构建了适用于不同围压条件下天然气水合物沉积物分解过程中的本构模型,研究结果表明,该模型可以较好地模拟沉积物试样在分解过程中的应力应变关系,可为实现天然气水合物的安全开采提供一定的理论依据。