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Vol 278
Pages:
125-135
In press
Article
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Methane hydrate dissociation at reduced pressure in the presence of biosurfactants with subsequent injection of carbon dioxide

Authors:
Nikita E. Shlegel1
Elizaveta R. Podgornaya2
Sergei Ya. Misyura3
Vladimir S. Morozov4
Pavel A. Strizhak5
About authors
Date submitted:
2024-09-20
Date accepted:
2026-03-04
Online publication date:
2026-04-21

Abstract

The global volume of natural gas trapped in hydrate deposits far exceeds the conventionally recoverable hydrocarbon reserves. However, the high costs associated with hydrate production, transportation, and storage currently hinder the large-scale implementation of hydrate-based technologies. A promising way to reduce these costs is through phase transition technology, which involves СН4 hydrate depressurization in the presence of biosurfactants, followed by СО2 formation. This approach also enables carbon dioxide sequestration, addressing the corresponding environmental concerns. Biosurfactants, which are naturally present in many hydrate reservoirs, enhance hydrate growth and accelerate СН4-СО2 exchange. The newly developed method of producing highly porous ice using biosurfactants, presented in this research, provides higher formation rates, substantially reducing the time required for the process. Most importantly, this technique eliminates the risk of mixed hydrate formation – a major limitation, which hindered the replacement efficiency. As a result, the proposed sequential phase transition method decreases the total time of CO2 hydrate synthesis by two to three orders of magnitude compared to direct СН4-СО2 replacement. The method is particularly effective for permafrost regions and offers a more environmentally friendly approach to developing gas hydrate deposits by minimizing methane emissions while enabling CO2 storage.

Область исследования:
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Keywords:
methane hydrate carbon dioxide hydrate gas replacement in hydrate reservoirs biosurfactants gas production lipopeptides highly porous ice depressurization
Funding:

This research was carried out as part of a scientific project funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (agreement 075-15-2020-806/7).

Go to volume 278

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