Laboratory modeling of hydrate formation in rock specimens (a review)

Abstract

Abstract We present a review of the literature on the methods of modeling of sedimentary rocks containing gas hydrates with the aim of a subsequent study of their physical and mechanical properties. The attention is focused mainly on the non-Russian researches carried out in the last 15 years. The review includes description of corresponding setups and modeling techniques. The dependence of the morphology of hydrate present in the specimen on the specimen preparation technique is reviewed in detail. In addition, the structure and texture of synthetic and natural hydrate-containing rock specimens are briefly reported, as well as the regularities of formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in the Earth’s crust.