GAS HYDRATE RESOURCE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
, ALASKA NORTH SLOPE
HUNTER, Robert, ASRC Energy Services, AK 995, [email protected], WILSON, Scott James, 995, and DIGERT, Scott A., N/, N/, 995
Methane hydrates may contain significant offshore and arctic regions gas
resources. Reservoir and development modeling indicate 0 12 TCF technically
recoverable gas from 33 TCF in place Eileen trend gas hydrate beneath industry
infrastructure. Potential
production methods involve depressurization, thermal,
or chemical stimulation of pore filling gas hydrate into gas and water
components. Rate forecasts and well schedules, methods typically employed in
conventional large gas development projects, help quantify: 1.
potential
gas
hydrate recoverable resource using conventional petroleum technologies and 2.
range of
potential
outcomes that could be narrowed by use of specific
recommended data acquisition and field testing. This systematic appraisal plan
helps determine whether or not gas hydrate can become a technically and
economically recoverable unconventional gas resource. Reference case forecasts
with type well depressurization induced production rates of 0.4 2.0 MMSCF/D
predict that 2.5 TCF of gas might be produced in 20 years, with 10 TCF ultimate
recovery after 100 years. Downside cases envision pilot failure and economic or
technical infeasibility. Upside cases identify
potential
if both pressure
induced dissociation and thermal or chemical stimulation yield positive results;
extreme upside cases capture full development
potential
with highly productive,
widely spaced wells. Successful gas production from gas hydrate would yield both
methane and fresh water for
potential
use in existing or planned developments.
The gas could potentially supplement future export gas, provide nearer term fuel
gas to reduce consumption of richer conventional sales gas, provide lean gas for
reservoir energy, and provide fuel for
potential
viscous oil thermal recovery.
The fresh water could potentially be
used
for low salinity water floods and/or
in association with produced gas for steam. The gas hydrate bearing reservoirs
may also provide a viable CO2 sequestration option during future gas sales and
associated production of CO2.