Local dissociation experiments of methane-hydrate-bearing soil

Abstract

Large amounts of gas hydrates are deposited in marine sediments and permafrost regions in many parts of the world. Their potential as a future energy source, but also as a geohazard and contributor to global warming has raised people's interest. The paper reviews the major methane hydrate test facilities and summarises their capabilities. It is reckoned that none of them can dissociate hydrates locally by a combination of heating and depressurizing while measuring their composition changes in it situ. These features are later revealed as the core elements of the new hydrate test facility at the National University of Singapore (NUS), which can simulate hydrates in up to 1500 m below sea water level and 350 m below sea bed or surface, dissociating them along a centred line source while measuring local pore pressure-, temperature- and density- changes. Its single components are described in detail. Copyright 2010, Society of Petroleum Engineers.