Gas hydrates are an important potential source of unconventional natural gas. Significant progress has been made with regard to understanding geologic and engineering limitations of the ultimate energy potential of gas hydrate; however, more work is required. The complete paper reviews the results of gas hydrate engineering and production testing studies associated with northern Canada and Alaska. The results of the marine gas hydrate producing testing efforts in Japan’s Nankai Trough and in the South China Sea are also summarized.
Mallik (Canada)
The Mallik gas hydrate research site in northern Canada has been the focus of three important gas hydrate field tests (in 1998, 2002, and 2007–08). The Mallik 2L-38 gas hydrate research well (part of the 1998 testing project) was drilled to evaluate the geologic controls on the occurrence of gas hydrate and to acquire specialized core and well data needed to characterize reservoir properties.
During the 2002 project, gas hydrate was produced for the first time by both depressurizing and heating the reservoir.
