A Method to Use Solar Energy for the Production of Gas from Marine Hydrate-Bearing Sediments: A Case Study on the Shenhu Area

Abstract

A method is proposed that uses renewable solar energy to supply energy for the exploitation of marine gas hydrates using thermal stimulation. The system includes solar cells, which are installed on the platform and a distributor with electric heaters. The solar module is connected with electric heaters via an insulated cable, and provides power to the heaters. Simplified equations are given for the calculation of the power of the electric heaters and the solar battery array. Also, a case study for the Shenhu area is provided to illustrate the calculation of the capacity of electric power and the solar cell system under ideal conditions. It is shown that the exploitation of marine gas hydrates by solar energy is technically and economically feasible in typical marine areas and hydrate reservoirs such as the Shenhu area. This method may also be used as a good assistance for depressurization exploitation of marine gas hydrates in the future.

Mechanical properties of clathrate hydrates: status and perspectives

“…At a temperature just below the freezing point of water, and at a constant strain rate, the strength of CH 4 hydrate was at least 20 times higher than that of ice, and this difference increased with decreasing temperature. 102 In the compression deformation process, CH 4 hydrates also exhibited monotonic work hardening (or strain hardening) that continues over more than 15% strain, whereas H 2 O ice ordinarily exhibited a strength maximum before levelling off to steady flow stress, usually within (16) ; 9.11 (CH 4 at 271 K, 60 MPa) (16) ; 9.7 (CH 4 ) (17) ; 7.9 (N 2 at 273 K) (18) ; 8.27 (THF at 256 K) (10) ; 8.5 (THF at 273 K) (9) ; 8.6 (N 2 at 273 K) (18) ; 17.3 (O 2 at 273 K) (18) ; 11.5 (N 2 at 273 K) (21) Adiabatic Young's modulus (GPa) 9.5 AE 0.2 (260 K) (2) 8.5 AE 0.2 (CH 4 at 277 K) (2) -Isothermal Young's modulus (GPa) 9.5 (268 K) (14) ; 9.1 AE 0.3 (260 K) (2) $8.4 (268 K) (14) ; 7.8 AE 0.3 (CH 4 at 277 K) (2) 7.17 (THF at 256 K) (10) ; $8.2 (268 K) (14) Adiabatic bulk compression (Pa)…”

“…Methane is an important green-house gas. As a result, the research on gas hydrates has led to an explosive growth in publications, 4 and the entire research field has expanded from the initial flow assurance for preventing blocking of oil and gas pipelines 13,14 to resource potential, [15][16][17][18] safe drilling, 19,20 geological hazards, 21,22 the carbon cycle, 23 climatic change; [24][25][26] and even outer space hydrates. 27,28 Recently, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the Department of Energy of the United States has made remarkable progress in work on rapid formation of gas hydrates.…”

Polyethylene Glycol Drilling Fluid for Drilling in Marine Gas Hydrates-Bearing Sediments: An Experimental Study

“…It is believed that the energy in these hydrate deposits is likely to be significant compared to other types of fossil fuel deposits [4,5]. Since natural gas hydrates have the attributes of high energy density, large reserves, and relative cleanliness [6], they are currently considered a potential unconventional energy resource [7,8].…”

Physical property response of peri-well sediments during cementing of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in conventional oil-gas wells in the South China Sea

“…In the Shenhu Area of the South China Sea, the GHBS are complex, mainly powdery sands and clays, and the mechanical strength is low in the sediments. The hydrate reservoir environment is close to its phase equilibrium, so slight changes in temperature and pressure can lead to its decomposition (Ning et al, 2010). In deepwater drilling, the entire well is usually cemented, and the cement hydration exotherm during cementing will inevitably cause the sediment to heat up, which will cause the decomposition of the hydrate near the wellbore wall and reduce the density of the sediment.…”