gas hydrate - CCOP

In addition to formulating measurement technologies and methods for creating the
artificial methane hydrate-bearing sediment required for studies of gas production
methods, the research will also involve studying and preparing general technologies
relating to resources assessment and environmental impact assessment, and generally
to contribute to the development of research methods applicable to the entire project.
The Research Group for Environment Impact
The Research Group for Environment Impact is responsible for implementing baseline
surveys (environment, ecosystem) of methane hydrate resource fields prior to offshore
production tests. It will also conduct research and development and investigate issues related
to environmentally friendly methane hydrate development. This involves the development of
essential technologies related to assessment methods for the potential environmental impact
of low-temperature water generated in the methane gas production process, and related to
monitoring techniques for potential methane gas leaks and stratum deformation. This will
involve development of simulators to help predict stratum deformation.
The Research Group for Environment Impact is also responsible for undertaking
investigative research on safety and other aspects of the HSE management plan for
offshore production tests during and after Phase II.
INTRODUCTION TO THE PRODUCTION METHOD AND MODELING GROUP
Implementation Scheme and Research Subjects
In the group, four research items have currently been identified, these being "Characterization
of hydrate sediment features ", "Elucidation of the dissociation dynamic properties of methane
hydrate sediment", "Development of the production simulator", and "Development of the
dissociation and the recovery method". To pursue these topics, two sub-groups were
established under group leader Dr. Hideo Narita of the Methane Hydrate Research
Laboratory/AIST and sub-leader Dr. Yoshihiro Masuda of Tokyo University. Also involved in
the group are eight private companies including gas-company and six Universities.
In "Characterization of hydrate sediment features", various aspects of the structure and basic
physical and mechanical properties of the MH sediment are being analyzed and evaluated by
using artificial MH sediment. The measured properties have been introduced to the production
simulator as numerical parameters. The development of the measurement-based technology
necessary for analyzing the basic physical and mechanical properties is being emphasized.
"Elucidation of the dissociation behavior of the sediment", involves modeling behavior of MH
sediment dissociation at the pore scale over the entire sediment, including the analysis of the
mass and the heat transfer phenomenon at the dissociation. The research that analyzes the
dissociation behavior of sediment under confined pressure is also being carried out. The
subjects emphasize the measurements of the progress of the dissociation front, development
of imaging technology, analyses of mechanical property change, analyses of permeability
change and the consolidation behavior during the dissociation of hydrates in the MH sediment.
In "Development of the production simulator", the improvement and strengthening of an
existing prototype simulator are aimed at. In addition, a dissociation rate evaluation submodule,
a consolidation property sub-module and a permeability property sub-module, all
investigating important factors when productivities are estimated, have been developed, and
the calculation function verified.
New Energy Resources in the CCOP Region - Gas Hydrates and Coalbed Methane 91