Abstract
Natural gas hydrates of Bulgaria and Romania in the Black Sea have been
subject to studies by several European research projects. In this study,
we have evaluated some well-known hydrate production methods. Thermal
stimulation and adding chemicals are considered as not economically
feasible. Pressure reduction may not be efficient due to the endothermic
dissociation of hydrates and long-term cooling of the sediments. Adding
CO2/N2, however, has a dual value. In the future CO2 can be stored at a
price proportional to a CO2 tax. The maximum N2 amount is dictated by
the demand for the creation of a new hydrate from injection gas but also
the need for sufficient heat release from this hydrate formation to
dissociate the in situ CH4 hydrates. Based on reasonable assumptions and
approximations as used in a verified kinetic model it is found that
CH4/CO2 swapping is a feasible method for Black Sea hydrates.