ESD12-010

Project Goal
The overall objective of this project is to conduct numerically-based studies to characterize and analyze recoverable resources from gas hydrate deposits, evaluate appropriate production strategies for both permafrost and marine environments, and analyze the geomechanical behavior of hydrate-bearing sediments, as well as provide support for DOE’s hydrate-related activities and collaborative projects.

Performer
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), Berkeley, CA 94720: model modifications and runs; project management

Background
TOUGH+/HYDRATE (pT+H) is a code developed by LBNL that simulates the behavior of hydrate-bearing geologic systems. By solving coupled equations of mass and heat balance, pT+H can model the non-isothermal gas release, phase behavior, and flow of fluids and heat under conditions typical of common natural methane (CH₄) hydrate-bearing deposits in complex formations. TOUGH+/HYDRATE includes both an equilibrium and kinetic model of hydrate formation and dissociation. The model accounts for heat and up to four mass components, i.e., water, CH₄, hydrate, and water-soluble inhibitors such as salts or alcohols portioned among four possible phases (gas phase, liquid phase, ice phase, and hydrate phase) and up to five components (heat, hydrate, water, CH₄, and water-soluble inhibitors). Hydrate dissociation or formation, phase changes, and the corresponding thermal effects are fully described, as are the effects of inhibitors. The model can describe all possible hydrate dissociation mechanisms, i.e., depressurization, thermal stimulation, salting-out effects, and inhibitor-induced effects. Under this project, LBNL is developing and maintaining pT+H as well as actively using the program to predict the behavior of hydrates and hydrate-bearing geologic systems in the laboratory or field, and from the pore to regional scale.

Potential Impact
These numerical modeling efforts will allow hydrate scientists to better assess, identify, and predict the behavior of hydrate-bearing sediments under natural- and hydrate-production conditions for various hydrate occurrences in both Arctic and deepwater marine environments. The efforts will contribute to the planning and assessment of hydrate program field tests, and continue to define the feasibility of hydrates as an energy resource.

Accomplishments:

• No accomplishments to date. Work under this FWP is slated to begin in early June 2012.
• For accomplishments from past, related efforts, please see the project page for FWP G308.

TOUGH+/Hydrate is available to commercial and non-commercial users from LBNL [external site]. Non-commercial licenses are available to academic and research institutions at reduced cost, and free of charge for users working on U.S. government-sponsored research projects. Details on licensing and associated licensing costs can be found at the TOUGH+ licensing site [external].

Current Status (May 2012)
Activity under this FWP is slated to begin in early June 2012. Scheduled work includes the following:

• Code maintenance, updates, and support for the TOUGH+ Hydrate family of codes
• Design support for potential Alaska North Slope-based long-term hydrate production test
• Activities in support of the joint U.S.-Korea gas hydrate studies
• Numerical assessments of resource recoverability from natural hydrate deposits

Project Start: June 1, 2012
Project End: May 31, 2013

Project Cost Information:
DOE Contribution: $100,000; Recipient Contribution: $0

Contact Information:
NETL – Richard Baker (Richard.Baker@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4714)
LBNL – George Moridis (gjmoridis@lbl.gov or 510-486-4746)
If you are unable to reach the above personnel, please contact the content manager.