Instability Mechanisms and Wellbore-Stabilizing Drilling Fluids for Marine Gas Hydrate Reservoirs: A Review

Qian Liu, Bin Xiao, Guanzheng Zhuang (), Yun Li and Qiang Li
Additional contact information
Qian Liu: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Bin Xiao: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Guanzheng Zhuang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yun Li: Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Natural Gas Hydrates & Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Qiang Li: Petroleum College, China University of Petroleum-Beijing at Karamay, Karamay 834000, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: The safe exploitation of marine natural gas hydrates, a promising cleaner energy resource, is hindered by reservoir instability during drilling. The inherent temperature–pressure sensitivity and cementation of hydrate-bearing sediments leads to severe operational risks, including borehole collapse, gas invasion, and even blowouts. This review synthesizes the complex instability mechanisms and evaluates the state of the art in inhibitive, wellbore-stabilizing drilling fluids. The analysis first deconstructs the multiphysics-coupled failure process, where drilling-induced disturbances trigger a cascade of thermodynamic decomposition, kinetic-driven gas release, and geomechanical strength degradation. Subsequently, current drilling fluid strategies are critically assessed. This includes evaluating the limitations of conventional thermodynamic inhibitors (salts, alcohols, and amines) and the advancing role of kinetic inhibitors and anti-agglomerants. Innovations in wellbore reinforcement using nanomaterials and functional polymers to counteract mechanical failure are also highlighted. Finally, a forward-looking perspective is proposed, emphasizing the need for multiscale predictive models that bridge molecular interactions with macroscopic behavior. Future research should prioritize the development of “smart”, multifunctional, and green drilling fluid materials, integrated with real-time monitoring and control systems. This integrated approach is essential for unlocking the potential of marine gas hydrates safely and efficiently.

Keywords: gas hydrate; wellbore stability; drilling fluids; inhibitors; multiphysics coupling (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: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/16/4392/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/16/4392/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:16:p:4392-:d:1726780

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().