Advances In The Study Of Gas Hydrates

This book had its genesis in a symposium on gas hydrates presented at the 2003 Spring National Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. The symposium consisted of twenty papers presented in four sessions over two days. Additional guest authors were invited to provide continuity and cover topics not addressed during the symposium. Gas hydrates are a unique class of chemical compounds where molecules of one compound (the guest material) are enclosed, without bonding chemically, within an open solid lattice composed of another compound (the host material). These types of configurations are known as clathrates. The guest molecules, u- ally gases, are of an appropriate size such that they fit within the cage formed by the host material. Commonexamples of gas hydrates are carbon dioxide/water and methane/water clathrates. At standard pressure and temperature, methane hydrate contains by volume 180 times as much methane as hydrate. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated that there is more organic carbon c- tained as methane hydrate than all other forms of fossil fuels combined. In fact, methane hydrates could provide a clean source of energy for several centuries. Clathrate compounds were first discovered in the early 1800s when Humphrey Davy and Michael Faraday were experimenting with chlorine-water mixtures.

Advances in Natural Gas: Formation, Processing, and Applications. Volume 3: Natural Gas Hydrates comprises an extensive eight-volume series delving into the intricate realms of both the theoretical fundamentals and practical methodologies associated with the various facets of natural gas. Encompassing the entire spectrum from exploration and extraction to synthesis, processing, purification, and the generation of valuable chemicals and energy, these volumes also navigate through the complexities of transportation, storage challenges, hydrate formation, extraction, and prevention. In Volume 3 titled Natural Gas Hydrates, the fundamental aspects of natural gas hydrates, their associated disasters, and case studies are introduced. This book delves into the intricate details of hydrate structures, physio-chemical properties, and thermodynamics, offering a comprehensive understanding. This volume also explores hydrates as an energy source and covers their dissociation methods. A significant focus is placed on the challenges of natural gas hydrates formation in pipelines, accompanied by prevention techniques. Additionally, this book discusses the discovery and extraction of natural gas hydrates from oceans, shedding light on related geophysical indicators. Introduces characteristics and properties of natural gas hydrates Describes pipeline natural gas hydrates and prevention methods Discusses oceanic natural gas hydrates and extraction methods

Methane hydrate is a natural form of clathrate - a chemical substance in which one molecule forms a lattice around a "guest" molecule with chemical bonding. In this clathrate, the guest molecule is methane and the lattice is formed by water to form an ice-like solid. Methane hydrate has become the focus of international attention because of the vast potential for human use worldwide. If methane can be produced from hydrate, a reasonable assumption given that there are no obvious technical or engineering roadblocks to commercial production, the nation's natural gas energy supply could be extended for many years to come. This report reviews the Department of Energy's (DOE) Methane Hydrate Research and Development Program, the project selection process, and projects funded to date. It makes recommendations on how the DOE program could be improved. Key recommendations include focusing DOE program emphasis and research in 7 priority areas; incorporating greater scientific oversight in the selection, initiation, monitoring, and assessment of major projects funded by the DOE; strengthening DOE's contribution to education and training through funding of fellowships, and providing project applicants with a set of instructions and guidelines outlining requirements for timely and full disclosure of project results and consequences of noncompliance.

The occurrence of gas hydrates in large quantities worldwide, and their immense energy potential have prompted concerted efforts into their exploration and understanding over the last many years. During this time, geophysical characterization of natural gas hydrate occurrences by seismic and other methods have gained prominence, and such studies have been reported from time to time. However, no compilation of such studies was ever attempted. This SEG publication, Geophysical Characterization of Gas Hydrates (Geophysical Developments No. 14), is the first book on the topic that focuses on documenting various types of geophysical studies that are carried out for the detection and mapping of gas hydrates.

Methane hydrates are still a complicated target for today’s oil and gas offshore engineers, particularly the lack of reliable real field test data or obtaining the most recent technology available on the feasibility and challenges surrounding the extraction of methane hydrates. Oceanic Methane Hydrates delivers the solid foundation as well as today’s advances and challenges that remain. Starting with the fundamental knowledge on gas hydrates, the authors define the origin, estimations, and known exploration and production methods. Historical and current oil and gas fields and roadmaps containing methane hydrates around the world are also covered to help lay the foundation for the early career engineer. Lab experiments and advancements in numerical reservoir simulations transition the engineer from research to practice with real field-core sampling techniques covered, points on how to choose producible methane hydrate reservoirs, and the importance of emerging technologies. Actual comparable onshore tests from around the world are included to help the engineer gain clarity on field expectations.Rounding out the reference are emerging technologies in all facets of the business including well completion and monitoring, economics aspects to consider, and environmental challenges, particularly methods to reduce the costs of methane hydrate exploration and production techniques. Rounding out a look at future trends, Oceanic Methane Hydrates covers both the basics and advances needed for today’s engineers to gain the required knowledge needed to tackle this challenging and exciting future energy source. Understand real data and practice examples covering the newest developments of methane hydrate, from chemical, reservoir modelling and production testing Gain worldwide coverage and analysis of the most recent extraction production tests Cover the full range of emerging technologies and environmental sustainability including current regulations and policy outlook

With millions of kilometres of onshore and offshore oil and gas pipelines in service around the world, pipelines are the life’s blood of the world. Notorious for disrupting natural gas production or transmission, the formation of natural gas hydrates can cost a company hundreds of millions and lead to catastrophic equipment breakdowns and safety and health hazards. Written by an international group of experts, Natural Gas Hydrates in Flow Assurance provide an expert overview of the practice and theory in natural gas hydrates, with applications primarily in flow assurance. Compact and easy to use, the book provides readers with a wealth of materials which include the key lessons learned in the industry over the last 20 years. Packed with field case studies, the book is designed to provide hands-on training and practice in calculating hydrate phase equilibria and plug dissociation. In addition readers receive executable programs to calculate hydrate thermodynamics. Case studies of hydrates in flow assurance The key concepts underlying the practical applications An overview of the state of the art flow assurance industrial developments

Hardcover plus CD