| Hydrate-Bearing Clayey Sediments: Morphology, Physical Properties, Production and Engineering/Geological Implications | Last Reviewed 1/15/2013 |
DE-FE0009897
Goal
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.
Performer
Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA
Background
Fine grained sediments host more than 90% 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.
Impact
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.
Accomplishments
This is a new project awarded on October 1, 2012.
Current Status (January 2013)
Two Ph.D level students are expected to begin work in early January 2013. Initial research efforts will focus on development and demonstration of a protocol for the lab-based formation of hydrates within fine grained, clay-dominated sediments; the design of experimental cells for use in a micro-CT X-ray system; the review of currently available information on physical properties of hydrate bearing sediments, and the development of initial analytical estimations of physical properties for clay-dominated hydrate bearing sediments.
Project Start: October 1, 2012
Project End: September 30, 2016
Project Cost Information:
Planned Total Funding: $810,167
DOE Contribution: $627,393
Cost Share Contribution: $182,774
Contact Information:
NETL ? Richard Baker (Richard.Baker@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4714)
Georgia Tech ? Carlos Santamarina (Carlos.Santamarina@ce.gatech.edu)
Additional Information
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-1.13MB] January - March, 2013
Research Performance Progress Report [PDF-1.13MB] October - December, 2012