Gas hydrates host a tremendous quanitity of methane in sediment along continental margins.Cost-effective production of natural gas from marine and arctic hydrate deposits is a critical issue. Reservoir simulators are being developed that account for the physico-chemical processes during gas production including phase behavior, dissociation, heat transfer, and multiphase flow. Key parameters that control gas production are being identified.
Reducing the costs associated with gas hydrate plugs remains a key flow assurance issue for onshore and offshore oil and gas pipelines. Various chemicals are used to prevent plug formation by lowering the hydrate formation temperature, slowing the formation of hydrates, or preventing agglomeration of hydrate particles.
Hydrates impact seafloor stability at global and local scales. Sea level falls and ocean water warming can initiate slope instability and cause tsunami-generating submarine landslides. Drilling operations and production of warm fluids perturb hydrate stability that can cause wellbore failure and loss of subsea infrastructure.


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