HR: 1340h
AN: OS43A-0609    [Abstracts]
TI: On Relative Permeability of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments
AU: * Kneafsey, T J
EM: tjkneafsey@lbl.gov
AF: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720 United States
AU: Tomutsa, L
EM: ltomutsa@lbl.gov
AF: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720 United States
AU: Seol, Y
OS43A-0609 AF: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720 United States
AU: Moridis, G J
EM: gjmoridis@lbl.gov
AF: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720 United States
AB: Prediction of natural gas production from hydrate-bearing reservoirs requires a good understanding of the reservoir transport properties that affect the flow of water, gas, and heat through the medium. This includes the impact of hydrates present within the pore spaces on the permeability. Equally important is how permeability evolves during production as hydrates are removed from the pore space. We present a technique for measuring the relative permeability of hydrate-bearing porous media. We form a partially water saturated sand pack within a flexible sleeve, and apply a triaxial confining pressure. We allow formation of hydrate within the medium by maintaining the system within the hydrate stability region. X-ray computed tomography is used to monitor the homogeneity of our samples and changes over time during the injection of water and/or gas. Additionally, we monitor pressures at the sample inlet and outlet, and temperature in the sample. Processes that occur during the measurement process, and relative permeabilty calculation techniques will be described.
DE: 5114 Permeability and porosity
DE: 5139 Transport properties
DE: 5194 Instruments and techniques
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005