Abstract:

To carry out the mathematical modeling works of natural gas hydrate（NGH） exploitation, in predicting the dynamic properties of natural gas hydrate reservoir under different production models, is an important part for the development of commercial technologies for gas production from hydrate reservoir. This article reviews the progress of mathematical modeling works for NGH exploitation since last two decades. The models are classified into three sub groups, i.e. thermal model, depressurization model, and comprehensive model. Main factors that control the gas production process are analyzed, that is heat transfer, gas/water flow and hydrate dissociation. Among these models, TOUGH Fx/HYDRATE which accounts for multiphase and three exploitation methods, and can simulate the phase behavior and the flow of gas and water, has a wide range of application. The main limitation of applying the mathematic model in the NGH exploitation area is lack of reliable parameters of sediment bearing hydrate, such as permeability, thermal conductivity

Key words: natural gas hydrate, exploitation, mathematical model