Operation Overview of an International Collaborative Research Program for Natural Methane Hydrate Production Test at Mackenzie Delta in Arctic Canada

摘要

The first production test of natural methane hydrate formation was carried out at Mackenzie Delta in the Arctic Canada. Three wells were drilled through the hydrate formation beneath permafrost on a line at 40 m distance, where coring, logging, various science experiments and production tesdting were performed over an 79 day period, from December 25, 2001 to March 14, 2002. This research project was organized and funded by participants from five (5) countries of Japan, Canada, US, Germany and India, Japan National Oil Corporation (JNOC) and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX) undertook its operation while the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) coordinated the science program. The production test was executed at the center well in two methods. One was depressurizing test using Modular Dynamic Formation Tester (MDT), and the other was heating test by circulating hot fluid against a hydrate layer. Post-test wireline log data was obtained and compared with pre-test log data. Down hole temepratures were continuously monitored using fiber optic This paper describes the field operation of the project. All data will be open in August 2004 after a full study6 and analysis by the project participants.