Abstract
The changes in the mechanical properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediments (GHBS) induced by gas hydrate (GH) dissociation are essential to the evaluation of GH exploration and stratum instabilities. Previous studies present substantial mechanical data and constitutive models for GHBS at a given GH saturation under the non-dissociated condition. In this paper, GHBS was formed by the gas saturated method, GH was dissociated by depressurization until the GH saturation reached different dissociation degrees. The stress–strain curves were measured using triaxial tests at a same pore gas pressure and different confining pressures. The results show that the shear strength decreases progressively by 30%–90% of the initial value with GH dissociation, and the modulus decreases by 50% –75%. Simplified relationships for the modulus, cohesion, and internal friction angle with GH dissociated saturation were presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hauge, L. P., Birkedal, K. A., Ersland, G., et al.: Methane production from natural gas hydrates by CO\(_{2}\) replacement-review of lab experiments and field trial. Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE-169198-MS (2014)
Lee, S., Kim, S.: Onshore and offshore gas hydrate production tests. Econ. Environ. Geol. 47, 275–289 (2014)
Terao, Y., Lay, K., Yamamoto, K.: Design of the surface flow test system for 1st offshore production test of methane hydrate. In: Offshore Technology Conference-Asia, OTC-24719-MS, Malaysia, March 25–28 (2015)
Kimoto, S., Oka, F., Fushita, T.: A chemo-thermo-mechanically coupled analysis of ground deformation induced by gas hydrate dissociation. Int. J. Mech. Sci. 52, 365–376 (2010)
Kwon, T.H., Oh, T.M., Choo, Y.W., et al.: Geomechanical and thermal responses of hydrate bearing sediments subjected to thermal simulation: physical modeling using a geotechnical centrifuge. Energy Fuels 27, 4507–4522 (2013)
Yoneda, J., Masui, A., Konno, Y., et al.: Mechanical properties of hydrate-bearing turbidite reservoir in the first gas production test site of the eastern Nankai trough. Mar. Pet. Geol. 66, 471–486 (2015)
Waite, W.F., Santamarina, J.C., Cortes, D.D., et al.: Physical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments. Rev. Geophys. 47, 1–38 (2009)
Clayton, C.R.I., Priest, J.A., Best, A.I.: The effects of disseminated methane hydrate on the dynamic stiffness and damping of a sand. Geotechnique 55, 423–434 (2005)
Winters, W.J., Pecher, I.A., Waite, W.F., et al.: Physical properties and rock physics models of sediment containing natural and laboratory-formed methane gas hydrate. Am. Mineral. 89, 1221–1227 (2004)
Winters, W.J., Waite, W.F., Mason, D.H., et al.: Methane gas hydrate effect on sediment acoustic and strength properties. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 56, 127–135 (2007)
Miyazaki, K., Masui, A.: Tri-axial compressive properties of artificial methane hydrate bearing sediment. J. Geophys. Res. 116, B06102 (2011)
Hyodo, M., Li, Y.H., Yoneda, J., et al.: Effects of dissociation on the shear strength and deformation behavior of methane hydrate-bearing sediments. Mar. Pet. Geol. 51, 52–62 (2014)
Zhang, X.H., Liu, L.L., Zhou, J.B., et al.: A model for the elastic modulus of hydrate-bearing sediments. Int. J. Offshore Polar 25, 314–319 (2015a)
Zhang, X.H., Lu, X.B., Shi, Y.H., et al.: Study on the mechanical properties of hydrate-bearing silty clay. Mar. Pet. Geol. 67, 72–80 (2015b)
Zhang, X.H., Lu, X.B., Zhang, L.M., et al.: Experimental study on mechanical properties of methane-hydrate-bearing sediments. Acta Mech. Sin. 28, 1356–1366 (2012)
Li, Y.H., Song, Y.C., Liu, W., et al.: Analysis of mechanical properties and strength criteria of methane hydrate-bearing sediments. Int. J. Offshore Polar 22, 290–296 (2012)
Miyazaki, K., Tenma, N., Aoki, K., et al.: A nonlinear elastic model for triaxial compressive properties of artificial methane-hydrate-bearing sediment samples. Energies 5, 4057–4075 (2012)
Jiang, M.J., Sun, Y.G., Yang, Q.J.: A simple distinct element modeling of the mechanical behavior of methane hydrate-bearing sediments in deep seabed. Granul. Matter 15, 209–220 (2013)
Pinkert, S., Grozic, J.L.H., Priest, J.A.: Strain-softening model for hydrate-bearing sands. Int. J. Geomech. 15, 04015007 (2015)
Pinkert, S., Grozic, J.L.H.: Experimental verification of a prediction model for hydrate-bearing sand. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 121, 4147–4155 (2016)
Hyodo, M., Li, Y.H., Yoneda, J., et al.: Mechanical behavior of gas-saturated methane hydrate-bearing sediments. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 118, 5185–5194 (2013)
Li, Y.H., Liu, W.G., Zhu, Y.M., et al.: Mechanical behaviors of permafrost-associated methane hydrate-bearing sediments under different mining methods. Appl. Energy 162, 1627–1632 (2016)
Sha, Z.B., Liang, J.Q., Zhang, G.X., et al.: A seepage gas hydrate system in northern South China sea: seismic and well log interpretations. Mar. Geol. 366, 69–78 (2015)
Liu, L.L.: Evolution of gas hydrate dissociation front in hydrate-bearing sediment. [Ph.D. Thesis], Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China (2013)
Acknowledgements
The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 41376078, 51639008, and 51239010) the China Geological Survey (Grant DD20160216), and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant 2017027).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, X.H., Luo, D.S., Lu, X.B. et al. Mechanical properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediments during hydrate dissociation. Acta Mech. Sin. 34, 266–274 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10409-017-0699-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10409-017-0699-y