A Comprehensive Review on Well Completion Operations and Artificial Lift Techniques for Methane Gas Production from Natural Gas Hydrate Reservoirs

Abstract

The world's modernistic energy mix necessitates a clean and low carbon energy fuel. In this regard, the hydrocarbon sector is recognizing the ultimate potential of natural gas hydrates as a midterm solution for a resilient and sustainable future. Exploitation of natural gas hydrate will not only help us cut down carbon dioxide emissions but will also alter the geopolitics of energy. Like any unconventional resources, successful well completion and artificial lift installation are the prerequisites for optimizing production from gas hydrate reservoirs. Completing a gas hydrate reservoir was thought to be exorbitant and precarious but with advancement in technology and appropriate characterization of gas hydrate reservoirs, it is possible to complete and install artificial lift with no difficulty. This paper presents a holistic review of the completion design procedures and artificial lift techniques available for gas hydrate reservoirs focusing on the downhole equipment's and the method by which the well will be brought into production. It also highlights the completion designs, which could be followed in gas hydrate reservoirs worldwide. Furthermore, this article draws attention to the liquid loading problems in gas hydrate wells and discusses its effects on production rate, gas velocity, and liquid hold up. Compatibility of different artificial lift systems for various types of gas hydrate reservoirs has also been discussed. Finally, it also proposes a unique well completion design for controlled production along with efficient handling of sand and dissociated water. This article will help the reader to set the scene for future research activities on well completion design and artificial lift selection techniques for gas hydrate reservoirs.

Effect of Methylamine, Amylamine, and Decylamine on the Formation and Dissociation Kinetics of CO2 Hydrate Relevant for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

“…Although this process is advantageous, it comes with certain limitations, such as high-pressure requirements and lower storage capacity, even if used with thermodynamic promoters. − Thus, the proposed dual-stacked double-layer horizontal well design can make the process more efficient with low injection pressure requirements. The first stage of drilling (preferentially dual gradient drilling) beneath the primary caprock can be completed with open holes or liners depending on the consolidation of the formation. This will primarily ensure secondary seal formation with reduced permeability (pore-filling morphology).…”

Review of Gas Hydrate Research in India: Status and Future Directions

“…Following that review, yet another review presented by Sahu et al 98 documented in detail the well completion design procedures suiting the production of natural gas from hydrate deposits. Highlighting the salient problems pertaining to the production of gas from hydratesexcessive water production, sand production, and hydrate reformationthe authors put forth necessary prerequisites for completing gas hydrate reservoirs for production along with information on well completion techniques.…”

“…Following that review, yet another review presented by Sahu et al . documented in detail the well completion design procedures suiting the production of natural gas from hydrate deposits.…”

Experimental investigation on hydrate dissociation in near-wellbore region caused by invasion of drilling fluid: ultrasonic measurement and analysis

“…Own to the above-mentioned two aspects, natural gas hydrates have been attracting signi cant global attention, a series of offshore trial production activities have been performed in recent years (Zhu et al 2021; Sahu, Kumar and Sangwai, 2021). Among them, China's second production test in the South China Sea in 2020 achieved a satisfactory result of producing 8.614×10 5 m 3 of methane within one month (Ye et al 2020;Zhu et al 2021;Sahu, Kumar and Sangwai, 2021). It is believed that with the gradual improvement of exploitation techniques, natural gas hydrates are likely to become a potential alternative energy source for oil and gas in the near future (Zhao et al 2019b;Wang et al 2021b).…”