CO2 Injection For Stimulated Production Of Natural Gas

In this project we focus on stimulated production of hydrocarbons from gas hydrate reservoirs using injection of CO2, based on a patent idea under consideration by the US Patent office. We consider separate gas hydrate reservoirs as well the release and p roduction of additional hydrocarbons from hydrate reservoirs that are in contact with hydrocarbon reservoir. For hydrate reservoirs the injection of CO2 will produce hydrocarbon from hydrate reservoirs without simultaneous excess production of water. For hydrate reservoirs in contact with hydrocarbon fluids the injection of CO2 will 1) maintain reservoir pressure, 2) induce a swelling of the hydrocarbon liquid phase, 3) release extra hydrocarbons through conversion of natural gas hydrate into CO2 hydrate, 4) increase the thermodynamic stability of the hydrate layers and 5) provide storage of CO2. The details of the concept will be developed by means of fundamental experiments using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and complementary simulations using Phase Field Theory. The experimental approach as well as the theoretical approach has been verified through publications and patents. ConocoPhillips will participate actively by in kind contributions in terms of MRI equipment and scientific staff as well as ad ditional direct financial support. The project will educate 6 PhD students in the industrially important area of fundamental knowledge and absolute front end modelling of hydrate kinetics. The fundamental concepts applied in this project is expected to ha ve implications far beyond this project and is expected to make important contributions to the general understanding of hydrate kinetics relative to exploitation and production of ordinary hydrocarbon reservoirs as well.