Modeling the injection of CO₂-N₂ in gas hydrates to recover methane using CMG STARS

Abstract

The objective of this project was to develop a reservoir simulation model using CMG STARS for gas hydrates to simulate the Ignik Sikumi#1 field trial performed by ConocoPhillips at the North Slope, Alaska in 2013. The modeling efforts were focused exclusively on the injection of CO₂-N₂ in gas hydrate deposits to recover methane after an endothermic reaction. The model was history matched with the available production data from the field trial. Sensitivity analysis on hydrate saturation, intrinsic permeability, relative permeability curves, and hydrate zone size was done to determine the impact on the production. This was followed by checking the technical feasibility of the reservoir model for a long-term production of 360 days. This study describes the details of the reservoir simulation modeling concepts for gas hydrate reservoirs using CMG STARS, the impact on the long term production profile, and challenges and development schemes for future work. The results show that appropriate gas mixture can be successfully injected into hydrate bearing reservoir. The reservoir heat exchange was favorable, mitigating concerns for well bore freezing. It can be stated that CO₂-CH₄ exchange can be accomplished in hydrate reservoir although the extent is not yet known since the production declined for long term production period during forecasting study.