Gas Production
For CSIS Seminar
Methane Hydrate R&D in Japan Takami Kawamoto JOGMEC September 17, 2014
1
What is Methane Hydrate (MH)? □Methane is a major component of natural gas. □MH is a material that a cage structure, which water molecules forms, contain a methane molecule inside it. □MH is made of only methane and water. □After dissociation, methane is burned when it catches fire and water remains. That is why MH is called ‘Fiery Ice’
a Model of Molecule Structure of MH （▲：Methane Molecule, ●：Water Molecule）
□One MH contains 160-170 fold volume of methane (under 0℃ and 1 atm. condition). It may be possible to use MH as a natural gas resource. □The environment where MH exists is ‘ Low temperature and high pressure’ （Examples of existing environment for MH：
1atm and less than -80℃ 、0℃ and more than 23 atm）
Combustion Test of Artificial MH
□In the natural world, MH exists either under the ground of permafrost area in the polar region or under the seafloor at more than 500 meters in depth.
Stability Zone for MH Temperature (℃)
Water
MH Stability Zone
Water Depth (m)
Pressure (atm.)
Methane Gas
MH Stability Zone in an ocean environment
□Where MH exists onshore is at an area where permafrost layers are developed. □Where MH exists offshore is in layers at a few hundred meter depth under the seafloor at more than 500 meter depth. □There is no permafrost layers in Japan and MH exists only offshore in Japan.
Prediction of MH Distribution in the World
Offshore, exploration conducted Offshore, exploration/coring conducted Onshore, exploration etc. conducted Onshore, exploration/coring conducted
Offshore coring etc. conducted Offshore, information only Onshore, coring etc. conducted Onshore, information only
Source: Research Consortium for MH in Japan (MH21)
Japan’s Methane Hydrate R&D Program ( announced in 2001) Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
(FY 2001 – FY2008)
(FY 2009 – FY2015)
(FY2016 – FY2018)
Basic Research Onshore Production Tests • 1st Production Test in 2002 • 2nd Production Test in 2008
Technological Research and Production Tests Production Tests ・1st Offshore Production Test in 2013 ・Middle to Long-term Onshore Production Test
Establishment of Technological Platform
To conduct studies to establish the technological platform for commercialization of methane hydrate •Middle to Long-term Offshore Production Test
Resource Assessment in Eastern Nankai Trough ・Seismic Surveys (2D, 3D) ・Exploratory Drillings
Technological Studies • • • •
Designing and Manufacturing Systems for Flow Test Studying Production Methods Assessing Environmental Impacts Resource Assessment
•Preparatory study for Commercial Production •Economical Feasibility •Evaluation of Environmental Impacts •Overall Evaluation of the Total Program etc. 5
Onshore Production Tests in Canada At Mackenzie delta (a permafrost area)in northwest of Canada, a test to produce methane continuously by dissociating MH was conducted as a pioneer in the world.
The First Onshore Production Test (2002) The Second Onshore Production Test (2007, 2008) First Test
Second Test
(2002)
(2007, 2008)
Participated Nation
5 (JP, CA, US, DE, IN)
2 (JP, CA)
Production Method
Heated Water Circulation Method
Depressurization Method
Result
Success in production of methane gas (first in the world)
Success in continuous production by depressurization Method (first in the world)
Cumulative Production
470m3 (in 5 days)
13,000m3 (in 6 days)
Issues
Continuity of Production Energy Efficiency
Necessity of Long-term Production Test
Production of Methane Gas (March 10-16, 2008)
Research on Resource Assessment in MH Prospect Water (eastern Nankai trough)
Exploratory Drilling ‘Nankai trough’ (1999)
2D seismic survey (1996) 2D seismic survey (2001) 3D seismic survey (2002) Exploratory Drilling ‘offshore Tokai /Kumano open sea’(2004)
Results of Estimated Resource Amount in Place in Eastern Nankai Trough Parameter (total/average)
Type MHCZs in eastern Nankai trough
MH resource amount in place
GRV
N/G
φ
SMH VR
CO
drilled
4.455 bil.m3
0.38
0.43
0.52 172
0.95
40.2 bm3
136.9 bm3
83.8 bm3
undrilled
34.931bm3
0.37
0.45
0.51 172
0.95
136.7bm3
977.9 bm3
490.1 bm3
total
39.386 bm3
0.37
0.44
0.51 172
0.95
176.9 bm3 (6Tcf)
1,114.8 bm3 (39Tcf)
573.9 bm3 (20Tcf)
area
Net thickness
0.48
0.29 172
0.95
106.7 bm3 (4Tcf)
1,220.8 bm3 (43Tcf)
567.6 bm3 (20Tcf)
283.5 bm3 (10Tcf)
2,335.6 bm3 1141.5 bm3 (83Tcf) (40Tcf)
P90
P10
Pmean
(767km2)
MH bearing layers other than MHCZ in eastern Nankai trough
3,920km2 (1,254.4 bm3)
6.4m (0.02)
(3,920km2)
Total
GRV: Gross Rock Volume, N/G: Net/Gross ratio, Φ: Porosity, SMH: MH-saturation, VR：Volume Ratio, CO: Cage Occupancy drilled: MHCZ confirmed by Exploratory Drilling ‘Tokai offshore ~ Kumano open sea (2004)’ undrilled：MHCZ expected by Seismic Survey ‘Tokai offshore ~ Kumano open sea (2002)’
Resource amount of MHCZs in place in eastern Nankai trough≒5.5 years of LNG import amount to Japan in 2011 Resource amount in place in eastern Nankai trough ≒11 years of LNG import to Japan in 2011 Source: Research Consortium for MH in Japan (MH21)
MH Distributed Areas Offshore Japan Estimated by BSR Occurrence
Total BSR Area = approx. 122,000km2
Eastern Nankai Trough
Concentrations of MH are confirmed (5,000km2) Concentrations of MH are suggested (61,000km2) Concentrations are not suggested (20,000km2)
Limited Data to estimate concentrations (36,000km2)
Location of First Offshore Production Test The First Offshore Production Test Site at 33°56’ N and 137°19’ E
BSR Distribution
10
Seismic Profile of the Test Location In real scale
Vertically Exaggerated NW
β-1 well（2004）
SE
1250msec
1250msec
（TVD=940m）
1500msec （TVD=1125m）
Top of GHCZ
Ogasa sequences
1500msec
WD~1000m GHCZ~270-333mBSF
1750msec
（TVD=1310m）
0
距離(km) 1.25 2.5
BSR
1750msec
11
Layout of Production Test Wells Production Well (P well) Sea Level 0m
Y (m) 3757440
Blow Out Preventer (BOP)
Riser Pipe To produce gas and water through this pipe
Ｃ Well（Coring）
3757430 Location of bottom of reservoir
3757420
P Well（Production）
Monitoring Well (MT1 Well)
Monitoring Well (MC Well)
(to monitor dissociated range)
(to monitor dissociated range)
3757410 Well Head
Location of top of reservoir
Well Head
3757400
MC Well
MT1Well Sea Floor 1,000m
3757390
Approx.
Equipments
Well Head
incl. Pump etc.
3757380 Location of bottom of reservoir
Approx. 40m
(20m each)
Approx.
Methane Hydrate Reservoir
3757370
3757360
1,270m
240
Dissociation
Dissociation
Finished Interval Approx. 1,330m
MH to be dissociated into gas and water in this interval
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
X (m)
12
320
Results of Flow Test ●Progress of the Operation (Jan.28-Apr.1, 2013) ・March 12: 5:40: Started flow test, decreasing pressure 9:30: Confirmed gas production considered from methane hydrate formations 10:00: Ignited flaring ・March 18: 4:00: Confirmed sand production Gas Production Rate (m3/day) Water Production Rate (m3/day)
●Gas Production ・Duration：approx. 6 days ・Cumulative gas production：
Pump Intake Pressure (at 1184m) Depth from Sea Level
Pressure (MPa)
ended flow test
Water Production Rate (m3/day)
15:00: Completed kill well and
Gas Production Rate (m3/day)
on board
approx. 120,000m3 ・ Average gas production：
approx. 20,000m3/day
Day/Time
13
Process toward Commercialization of Methane Hydrate (MH) ○In the new ’Basic Plan on Ocean Policy’ (the Cabinet approved on April, 2013), (1) Regarding Sand-formation type MH, ①to surely reach a target of ‘to establish technologies toward commercialization by FY2018 (Heisei FY30) ’ and ②to set a target toward a Commercialization Project for the first time. (2) As for Sea-bed type MH, to set a target for Resource Assessment for the first time. For assessing resource amount, to conduct researches including surveys in wide area for about 3years starting from FY2013.
F Y 2 0 1 5
FY2016-FY2018
Result ：20,000m3/day of production in 6days
○Analyzing test results ○Overcoming technical issues ○to demonstrate a middle to long-term production test on shore (continuous production for 1 to 3months)
【Future Issues】 • Technological development for long and stable gas production • Technological development to reduce production cost greatly • to grasp environmental impacts by long-term production
To make intensive efforts toward assessing resource amount in 3years starting from FY2013 ○to conduct wide-area and detailed geological survey FY2013：offshore Joetsu/west offshore Noto peninsula, FY2014：Oki area/offshore Akita/offshore Yamagata (a part of them in FY2015) , FY2015: Hokkaido area
○to acquire geological samples at prospected points (FY2014-)
to conduct technical research on resource recovery
to Confirm and Revise the Courses
Sand –formation Type Sea-bed Type
Conducted the world-first offshore production test from January, 2013
to start preparations toward commercialization project, to establish framework led by private companies etc.
to Establish Technologies for Commercialization
to Cope with Technical Issues Intensively
to conduct overall verification
-
Offshore Production Test (middle to long-term)
F Y 2 0 1 3
- FY2027 ○ to advance such technological development with a consideration that a project led by private companies may start in the latter half of Heisei FY30’s (until FY2027) while keeping an eye on international situations
Duration and production target will be decided by around FY2015 depending on future progress of research etc.
Based on discussions on the future courses, to initiate serious surveys, R&D etc. for resource recovery
Thank you for your attention
Methane Hydrate R&D in Japan Takami Kawamoto JOGMEC September 17, 2014
1
What is Methane Hydrate (MH)? □Methane is a major component of natural gas. □MH is a material that a cage structure, which water molecules forms, contain a methane molecule inside it. □MH is made of only methane and water. □After dissociation, methane is burned when it catches fire and water remains. That is why MH is called ‘Fiery Ice’
a Model of Molecule Structure of MH （▲：Methane Molecule, ●：Water Molecule）
□One MH contains 160-170 fold volume of methane (under 0℃ and 1 atm. condition). It may be possible to use MH as a natural gas resource. □The environment where MH exists is ‘ Low temperature and high pressure’ （Examples of existing environment for MH：
1atm and less than -80℃ 、0℃ and more than 23 atm）
Combustion Test of Artificial MH
□In the natural world, MH exists either under the ground of permafrost area in the polar region or under the seafloor at more than 500 meters in depth.
Stability Zone for MH Temperature (℃)
Water
MH Stability Zone
Water Depth (m)
Pressure (atm.)
Methane Gas
MH Stability Zone in an ocean environment
□Where MH exists onshore is at an area where permafrost layers are developed. □Where MH exists offshore is in layers at a few hundred meter depth under the seafloor at more than 500 meter depth. □There is no permafrost layers in Japan and MH exists only offshore in Japan.
Prediction of MH Distribution in the World
Offshore, exploration conducted Offshore, exploration/coring conducted Onshore, exploration etc. conducted Onshore, exploration/coring conducted
Offshore coring etc. conducted Offshore, information only Onshore, coring etc. conducted Onshore, information only
Source: Research Consortium for MH in Japan (MH21)
Japan’s Methane Hydrate R&D Program ( announced in 2001) Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
(FY 2001 – FY2008)
(FY 2009 – FY2015)
(FY2016 – FY2018)
Basic Research Onshore Production Tests • 1st Production Test in 2002 • 2nd Production Test in 2008
Technological Research and Production Tests Production Tests ・1st Offshore Production Test in 2013 ・Middle to Long-term Onshore Production Test
Establishment of Technological Platform
To conduct studies to establish the technological platform for commercialization of methane hydrate •Middle to Long-term Offshore Production Test
Resource Assessment in Eastern Nankai Trough ・Seismic Surveys (2D, 3D) ・Exploratory Drillings
Technological Studies • • • •
Designing and Manufacturing Systems for Flow Test Studying Production Methods Assessing Environmental Impacts Resource Assessment
•Preparatory study for Commercial Production •Economical Feasibility •Evaluation of Environmental Impacts •Overall Evaluation of the Total Program etc. 5
Onshore Production Tests in Canada At Mackenzie delta (a permafrost area)in northwest of Canada, a test to produce methane continuously by dissociating MH was conducted as a pioneer in the world.
The First Onshore Production Test (2002) The Second Onshore Production Test (2007, 2008) First Test
Second Test
(2002)
(2007, 2008)
Participated Nation
5 (JP, CA, US, DE, IN)
2 (JP, CA)
Production Method
Heated Water Circulation Method
Depressurization Method
Result
Success in production of methane gas (first in the world)
Success in continuous production by depressurization Method (first in the world)
Cumulative Production
470m3 (in 5 days)
13,000m3 (in 6 days)
Issues
Continuity of Production Energy Efficiency
Necessity of Long-term Production Test
Production of Methane Gas (March 10-16, 2008)
Research on Resource Assessment in MH Prospect Water (eastern Nankai trough)
Exploratory Drilling ‘Nankai trough’ (1999)
2D seismic survey (1996) 2D seismic survey (2001) 3D seismic survey (2002) Exploratory Drilling ‘offshore Tokai /Kumano open sea’(2004)
Results of Estimated Resource Amount in Place in Eastern Nankai Trough Parameter (total/average)
Type MHCZs in eastern Nankai trough
MH resource amount in place
GRV
N/G
φ
SMH VR
CO
drilled
4.455 bil.m3
0.38
0.43
0.52 172
0.95
40.2 bm3
136.9 bm3
83.8 bm3
undrilled
34.931bm3
0.37
0.45
0.51 172
0.95
136.7bm3
977.9 bm3
490.1 bm3
total
39.386 bm3
0.37
0.44
0.51 172
0.95
176.9 bm3 (6Tcf)
1,114.8 bm3 (39Tcf)
573.9 bm3 (20Tcf)
area
Net thickness
0.48
0.29 172
0.95
106.7 bm3 (4Tcf)
1,220.8 bm3 (43Tcf)
567.6 bm3 (20Tcf)
283.5 bm3 (10Tcf)
2,335.6 bm3 1141.5 bm3 (83Tcf) (40Tcf)
P90
P10
Pmean
(767km2)
MH bearing layers other than MHCZ in eastern Nankai trough
3,920km2 (1,254.4 bm3)
6.4m (0.02)
(3,920km2)
Total
GRV: Gross Rock Volume, N/G: Net/Gross ratio, Φ: Porosity, SMH: MH-saturation, VR：Volume Ratio, CO: Cage Occupancy drilled: MHCZ confirmed by Exploratory Drilling ‘Tokai offshore ~ Kumano open sea (2004)’ undrilled：MHCZ expected by Seismic Survey ‘Tokai offshore ~ Kumano open sea (2002)’
Resource amount of MHCZs in place in eastern Nankai trough≒5.5 years of LNG import amount to Japan in 2011 Resource amount in place in eastern Nankai trough ≒11 years of LNG import to Japan in 2011 Source: Research Consortium for MH in Japan (MH21)
MH Distributed Areas Offshore Japan Estimated by BSR Occurrence
Total BSR Area = approx. 122,000km2
Eastern Nankai Trough
Concentrations of MH are confirmed (5,000km2) Concentrations of MH are suggested (61,000km2) Concentrations are not suggested (20,000km2)
Limited Data to estimate concentrations (36,000km2)
Location of First Offshore Production Test The First Offshore Production Test Site at 33°56’ N and 137°19’ E
BSR Distribution
10
Seismic Profile of the Test Location In real scale
Vertically Exaggerated NW
β-1 well（2004）
SE
1250msec
1250msec
（TVD=940m）
1500msec （TVD=1125m）
Top of GHCZ
Ogasa sequences
1500msec
WD~1000m GHCZ~270-333mBSF
1750msec
（TVD=1310m）
0
距離(km) 1.25 2.5
BSR
1750msec
11
Layout of Production Test Wells Production Well (P well) Sea Level 0m
Y (m) 3757440
Blow Out Preventer (BOP)
Riser Pipe To produce gas and water through this pipe
Ｃ Well（Coring）
3757430 Location of bottom of reservoir
3757420
P Well（Production）
Monitoring Well (MT1 Well)
Monitoring Well (MC Well)
(to monitor dissociated range)
(to monitor dissociated range)
3757410 Well Head
Location of top of reservoir
Well Head
3757400
MC Well
MT1Well Sea Floor 1,000m
3757390
Approx.
Equipments
Well Head
incl. Pump etc.
3757380 Location of bottom of reservoir
Approx. 40m
(20m each)
Approx.
Methane Hydrate Reservoir
3757370
3757360
1,270m
240
Dissociation
Dissociation
Finished Interval Approx. 1,330m
MH to be dissociated into gas and water in this interval
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
X (m)
12
320
Results of Flow Test ●Progress of the Operation (Jan.28-Apr.1, 2013) ・March 12: 5:40: Started flow test, decreasing pressure 9:30: Confirmed gas production considered from methane hydrate formations 10:00: Ignited flaring ・March 18: 4:00: Confirmed sand production Gas Production Rate (m3/day) Water Production Rate (m3/day)
●Gas Production ・Duration：approx. 6 days ・Cumulative gas production：
Pump Intake Pressure (at 1184m) Depth from Sea Level
Pressure (MPa)
ended flow test
Water Production Rate (m3/day)
15:00: Completed kill well and
Gas Production Rate (m3/day)
on board
approx. 120,000m3 ・ Average gas production：
approx. 20,000m3/day
Day/Time
13
Process toward Commercialization of Methane Hydrate (MH) ○In the new ’Basic Plan on Ocean Policy’ (the Cabinet approved on April, 2013), (1) Regarding Sand-formation type MH, ①to surely reach a target of ‘to establish technologies toward commercialization by FY2018 (Heisei FY30) ’ and ②to set a target toward a Commercialization Project for the first time. (2) As for Sea-bed type MH, to set a target for Resource Assessment for the first time. For assessing resource amount, to conduct researches including surveys in wide area for about 3years starting from FY2013.
F Y 2 0 1 5
FY2016-FY2018
Result ：20,000m3/day of production in 6days
○Analyzing test results ○Overcoming technical issues ○to demonstrate a middle to long-term production test on shore (continuous production for 1 to 3months)
【Future Issues】 • Technological development for long and stable gas production • Technological development to reduce production cost greatly • to grasp environmental impacts by long-term production
To make intensive efforts toward assessing resource amount in 3years starting from FY2013 ○to conduct wide-area and detailed geological survey FY2013：offshore Joetsu/west offshore Noto peninsula, FY2014：Oki area/offshore Akita/offshore Yamagata (a part of them in FY2015) , FY2015: Hokkaido area
○to acquire geological samples at prospected points (FY2014-)
to conduct technical research on resource recovery
to Confirm and Revise the Courses
Sand –formation Type Sea-bed Type
Conducted the world-first offshore production test from January, 2013
to start preparations toward commercialization project, to establish framework led by private companies etc.
to Establish Technologies for Commercialization
to Cope with Technical Issues Intensively
to conduct overall verification
-
Offshore Production Test (middle to long-term)
F Y 2 0 1 3
- FY2027 ○ to advance such technological development with a consideration that a project led by private companies may start in the latter half of Heisei FY30’s (until FY2027) while keeping an eye on international situations
Duration and production target will be decided by around FY2015 depending on future progress of research etc.
Based on discussions on the future courses, to initiate serious surveys, R&D etc. for resource recovery
Thank you for your attention
