Integration of Pore-Scale Visualization and an Ultrasonic Test System of Methane Hydrate-Bearing Sediments

Qingtao Bu, Qingguo Meng, Jie Dong, Chengfeng Li, Changling Liu, Jinhuan Zhao, Zihao Wang, Wengao Zhao, Jiale Kang and Gaowei Hu
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Qingtao Bu: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Qingguo Meng: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Jie Dong: Qingdao Geo-Engineering Surveying Institute (Qingdao Geological Exploration and Development Bureau), Qingdao 266100, China
Chengfeng Li: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Changling Liu: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Jinhuan Zhao: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Zihao Wang: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Wengao Zhao: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Jiale Kang: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China
Gaowei Hu: Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, Qingdao 266237, China

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: The acoustic characteristics of hydrates are important parameters in geophysical hydrate exploration and hydrate resource estimation. The microscale distribution of hydrate has an important influence on the acoustic response of a hydrate-bearing reservoir. Although microscale hydrate distributions can be determined using means such as X-ray computed tomography (X-CT), it is difficult to obtain acoustic parameters for the same sample. In this study, we developed an experimental system that integrated pore-scale visualization and an ultrasonic testing system for methane-hydrate-bearing sediments. Simultaneous X-CT observation and acoustic detection could be achieved in the same hydrate sample, which provided a new method for synchronously monitoring microscale distributions during acoustic testing of natural gas hydrate samples. Hydrate formation experiments were carried out in sandy sediments, during which the acoustic characteristics of hydrate-bearing sediments were detected, while X-ray computed tomography was performed simultaneously. This study found that hydrates formed mainly at the gas–water interface in the early stage, mainly in the pore fluid in the middle stage, and came into contact with sediments in the later stage. The development of this experimental device solved the difficult problem of determining the quantitative relationship between the microscale hydrate distribution and the acoustic properties of the reservoir.

Keywords: gas hydrate; X-ray computed tomography; micro-distribution; acoustic property; porous media (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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