The primary goal of this research effort is to contribute to an in-depth understanding of hydrate bearing, fine-grained sediments with a focus on investigation of their potential for hydrate-based gas production.
Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA
Fine-grained sediments host more than 90 percent of global gas hydrate accumulation. Yet hydrate formation in clay-dominated sediments is less understood and characterized than other types of hydrate occurrence. There is an inadequate understanding of hydrate formation mechanisms, segregation structures, hydrate-lense topology, system connectivity, and physical macro-scale properties of clay-dominated hydrate-bearing sediments. This situation hinders further analyses of the global carbon budget as well as engineering challenges/solutions related to hydrate instability and production.
Research on hydrate-bearing clay-dominated sediments is needed to enhance fundamental understanding of hydrate formation and resulting morphology, develop laboratory techniques to emulate “natural” hydrate formations in this type of material, develop and assess analytical tools to predict physical properties, evaluate engineering and geological implications, and advance understanding of the potential for gas production from these sediments.
The project will add significant data and knowledge to the body of hydrates science. An enhanced understanding of the occurrence and behavior of hydrates in clay-dominated sediments will inform discussions of both the role of hydrates in the global carbon cycle and the potential feasibility of production from a portion of the hydrate resource base not currently considered producible.
Key findings from this detailed investigation into the nature and behavior of fine grained hydrate bearing sediments include the following:
Hydrate Formation and Morphology in Fine-Grained Sediments
Physical Properties of Hydrate in Fine Grained Sediments
Gas Production from Hydrate in Fine Grained Sediments
(January 2018)
All activity under the project has been completed and project results are documented in a final scientific/technical report, which can be accessed from the additional information section below.
$627,393
Cost Share Contribution: $182,774
Planned Total Funding: $810,167
NETL – Richard Baker (Richard.Baker@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4714)
Georgia Tech – Sheng Dai (Sheng.Dai@ce.gatech.edu)
Final Scientific / Technical Report [PDF-5.9MB] February 2018
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-635KB] July - September, 2017
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-331KB] April - June, 2017
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-886KB] January - March, 2017
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-632KB] October - December, 2016
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-280KB] July - September, 2016
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-866KB] April - June, 2016
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-3.17MB] January - March, 2016
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-1.72MB] October - December, 2015
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-1.65MB] July - September, 2015
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-5.22MB] April - June, 2015
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-4.97MB] January - March, 2015
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-414KB] October - December, 2014
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-9.71MB] July - September, 2014
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-5.00MB] April - June, 2014
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-2.51MB] January - March, 2014
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-2.24MB] October - December, 2013
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-1.08MB] July - September, 2013
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-899KB] April - June, 2013
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-1.13MB] January - March, 2013
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-1.13MB] October - December, 2012