B2 – Optimization of Gas Hydrate Production Technologies

In sub-project B2 methods for the production of CH4 from gas hydrates are investigated in  laboratory experiments. These focus on the conversion of the methane hydrate to CO2  hydrate in the reservoir. Promising approaches to accelerate the exchange reaction and to achieve higher CH4 production rates are the injection of hot supercritical CO2, the addition of polymers to the CO2 stream, and combinations of these with depressurization and supply of heat. The latter will be most efficient if the heat is produced locally in the hydrate-bearing formation using an in situ combustion reactor.