Numerical simulation of gas extraction performance from hydrate reservoirs using double-well systems

Multi-well systems can increase the drainage area and hence enhance the productivity of natural gas hydrate (NGH) production. Fundamentally, the double-well system is the key and basis of understanding the multi-well system and formulating field strategies for gas extraction from hydrate-bearing sediments. However, production performance and multi-well production strategies for recovering NGH by using depressurization have not been treated in detail. Here we develop a three-dimensional model to describe double-well production characteristics from the low-permeability hydrate reservoir and analyze well-deployment strategies. The productivity of this double-well system is 1.5-2.5 higher than that of the single well under the same conditions, which is triggered by enlarging the drainage area. The well spacing alters flow characteristics and corresponding geophysical fields, which is the key variable for the double-well system in gas recovery. Its range can be determined based on the combination of productivity and hydrate dissociation front. Besides, due to the limited enhancement in pro-ductivity using the double-well system, the multi-well system assisted with reservoir reconstruction technologies and stimulation methods is of significant practical value in realizing commercial exploitation of NGH.

Automated summary

Multi-well systems can increase productivity of natural gas hydrate (NGH) production by enlarging the drainage area. The double-well system is fundamental for understanding and formulating field strategies for extracting gas from hydrate-bearing sediments. A three-dimensional model is developed to describe double-well production characteristics and analyze well-deployment strategies. The productivity of the double-well system is significantly higher than that of a single well, and the well spacing is the key variable for the system's performance.