The overall objective of this project is to conduct numerically-based studies to characterize and analyze recoverable resources from gas hydrate deposits, evaluate appropriate production strategies for both permafrost and marine environments, and analyze the geomechanical behavior of hydrate-bearing sediments, as well as provide support for DOE’s hydrate-related activities and collaborative projects.
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), Berkeley, CA 94720: model modifications and runs; project management
TOUGH+/HYDRATE (pT+H) is a code developed by LBNL that simulates the behavior of hydrate-bearing geologic systems. By solving coupled equations of mass and heat balance, pT+H can model the non-isothermal gas release, phase behavior, and flow of fluids and heat under conditions typical of common natural methane (CH4) hydrate-bearing deposits in complex formations. pT+H includes both an equilibrium and kinetic model of hydrate formation and dissociation. The model accounts for heat and up to four mass components, i.e., water, CH4, hydrate, and water-soluble inhibitors, such as salts or alcohols, portioned among four possible phases (gas phase, liquid phase, ice phase, and hydrate phase) and up to five components (heat, hydrate, water, CH4, and water-soluble inhibitors). Hydrate dissociation or formation, phase changes, and the corresponding thermal effects are fully described, as are the effects of inhibitors. The model can describe all possible hydrate dissociation mechanisms, i.e., depressurization, thermal stimulation, salting-out effects, and inhibitor-induced effects. Under this project, LBNL is developing and maintaining pT+H as well as actively using the program to predict the behavior of hydrates and hydrate-bearing geologic systems in the laboratory or field, and from pore to regional scale.
These numerical modeling efforts will enable hydrate scientists to better assess, identify, and predict the behavior of hydrate-bearing sediments under natural- and hydrate-production conditions for various hydrate occurrences in both Arctic and deepwater marine environments. The efforts will contribute to the planning and assessment of hydrate program field tests and continue to define the feasibility of hydrates as an energy resource.
Overall Project
Budget Period 6 (April 2017–July 2018)
Budget Period 5 (May 2016–June 2017)
Budget Period 4 (August 2015–July 2016)
Budget Period 3 (June 2014–July 2015)
Budget Period 2 (June 2013–June 2014)
Budget Period 1 (June 2012–May 2013)
For accomplishments from past, related efforts, please see the project page for FWP G308.
pT+H is available to commercial and non-commercial users from LBNL [external site]. Non-commercial licenses are available to academic and research institutions at reduced cost and are free of charge for users working on U.S. government-sponsored research projects. Details on licensing and associated licensing costs can be found on the TOUGH+ licensing site [external].
Activities under the project are now complete and a summary of activities, accomplishments and key findings can be found in the project Final Report accessible from the additional information section below. Numerical simulation activities with LBNL will be ongoing but will be conducted under new project number FP00008138, which initiated in October 2018.
Key findings resulting from activities under this project include:
$1,250,000
$0
NETL – Richard Baker (Richard.Baker@netl.doe.gov)
LBNL – George Moridis (gjmoridis@lbl.gov)