Gas Hydrate Resource Potential

Hunter, Robert B.¹, Scott A. Digert², Scott J. Wilson³, Timothy Collett⁴, Ray Boswell⁵ (1) ASRC Energy Services, Anchorage, AK (2) BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc, Anchorage, AK (3) Ryder Scott Company, Denver, CO (4) U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (5) EG&G Technical Services, Morgantown, WV

Methane hydrate is being studied in northern Alaska to help determine if it may become a technically and economically recoverable gas resource in offshore and arctic onshore areas. Reservoir characterization and preliminary scoping modeling studies indicate that 0-12 TCF gas may be technically recoverable from 33 TCF in-place gas hydrate beneath existing infrastructure on Alaska's North Slope. Production rate forecasting and well scheduling quantify the range of potential gas productivity and ultimate recovery. While the downside case shows that significant gas recovery is technically infeasible, upside cases show potential to dissociate gas hydrate into producible gas and water. A stratigraphic test is scheduled for early 2007 to acquire data to help better understand gas hydrate-bearing reservoir properties and potential productivity. Plans include acquisition of up to 600 feet of core, a full suite of wireline log, and wireline (MDT) test data to help determine reservoir permeabilities, fluid saturations, and pore water properties. Pending confirmation of technical and commercial feasibility, gas produced from gas hydrate could potentially be used as a source of fuel gas, to provide lean injection gas for reservoir energy, to provide fuel for potential viscous oil thermal recovery, or to supplement future export gas. The associated fresh water production could potentially be used in waterfloods and/or in association with produced gas for steam generation and injection. The gas hydrate-bearing reservoirs may also provide a future option for CO2 sequestration.