Effects of Hydrate Dissociation on Vertical Casing–Sediment Interaction in Carbon Dioxide Hydrate–Bearing Sand: Novel In-Flight Centrifuge Modeling
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 3
Abstract
Gas hydrate-bearing sediments (GHBS) are vastly distributed worldwide. Although dissociation of GHBS by depressurization is considered a viable method to produce gas to meet increasing energy demand, it can alter the hydromechanical properties of GHBS by imposing additional stresses on it, which can induce instabilities in the wellbore casing. Despite many short-term gas production trials, the long-term stability and mechanisms of casing–sediment interaction remain unclear. This paper presents a novel centrifuge test using the newly developed energy harvesting chamber to investigate the effects of dissociation on vertical casing–sediment interaction and GHBS response in-flight. Test results reveal that temperature–pressure profiles evolve continuously as hydrate is dissociated, causing extension of dissociation front and inducing changes in effective stress. Dissociation within a perforated interval leads to stress transfer within the formation, resulting in vertical arching. As hydrate dissociation continues, downward movements of soil mobilize negative skin friction. The progressive hydrate dissociation could induce large axial compressive and tensile loads within and above the perforated interval, respectively. The induced axial loads evolve, and the location of neutral planes changes with the progression of hydrate dissociation. During depressurization, the compressive load in the casing exceeds the yield strength of the modeled prototype casing. Although the induced tensile loads are smaller than the yielding strength of the casing, the cement above the perforated interval might crack in tension and jeopardize the well’s integrity. Hence, both induced compressive and tensile axial loads during long-term hydrate dissociation should be carefully considered for safe gas production in GHBS.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all of the data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for providing us with research grants 16207819, 16207918, and 16204817. The second and third authors are grateful for the support of the Hong Kong Ph.D. Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) provided by the RGC of the HKSAR. Data archiving at DataSpace@HKUST (https://dataspace.ust.hk/) is underway.
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Received: Mar 25, 2021
Accepted: Oct 12, 2021
Published online: Dec 30, 2021
Published in print: Mar 1, 2022
Discussion open until: May 30, 2022
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