Gas Hydrate Resource Potential

Authors: Robert B. Hunter, ASRC Energy Services (a unit of Arctic Slope Regional Corp., an Alaskan Native Regional Corporation); Scott Digert, BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.; Scott Wilson, Ryder Scott Co. LP; Tim Collett, U.S. Geological Survey; and Ray Boswell, U.S. Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Venue: American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ Annual Convention in Long Beach, CA, April 1–4, 2007 (http://www.aapg.org/ [external site]).

Abstract: Methane hydrate is being studied in northern Alaska to help determine if it may become a technically and economically recoverable gas resource in offshore and arctic onshore areas. Reservoir characterization and preliminary scoping modeling studies indicate that as much as 12 TCF of gas may be technically recoverable from 33 TCF of in-place gas hydrate beneath existing infrastructure on Alaska’s North Slope. Production rate forecasting and well scheduling quantify the range of potential gas productivity and ultimate recovery. While the downside case shows that significant gas recovery is technically infeasible, upside cases show potential to dissociate gas hydrate into producible gas and water. A stratigraphic test well was drilled in February 2007 to acquire data to help better understand gas hydrate-bearing reservoir properties and potential productivity. Plans include acquisition of up to 600 ft of core, as well as a full suite of wireline log and wireline MDT (modular formation dynamics tester) test data to help determine reservoir permeabilities, fluid saturations, and pore water properties. (Detailed updates on research activity related to this stratigraphic test can be found at NETL’s ANS test well website .) Pending confirmation of technical and commercial feasibility, gas produced from gas hydrate potentially could be used as a source of fuel gas, to provide lean injection gas for reservoir energy, to provide fuel for potential viscous oil thermal recovery, or to supplement future export gas. The associated fresh water production potentially could be used in waterfloods and/or in association with produced gas for steam generation and injection. The gas hydrate-bearing reservoirs may also provide a future option for CO₂ sequestration.

Related NETL Project: The goal of the related NETL project DE-FC26-01NT41332, which describes “Alaska North Slope gas hydrate reservoir characterization,” is to characterize the large in-place methane hydrate resource on the Alaska North Slope and conduct field and laboratory studies to determine the potential for hydrate to become a viable part of the overall U.S. energy supply.

NETL Project Contacts:
NETL – Rick Baker (richard.baker@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4714)
ASRC – Robert B. Hunter (hunterrb@bp.com or 907-696-2124)