System and method for producing methane from a methane hydrate formation

Abstract

A system for producing Methane from a Methane Hydrate formation including a completion that is disposed through a Methane Hydrate formation. An inlet of the completion disposed in the Methane Hydrate formation; and a drain for water located in a direction proximate a direction of gravity relative to the Methane Hydrate formation and gravitationally beneath the Methane Hydrate formation. A method for producing methane from a Methane Hydrate formation

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for producing Methane from a Methane Hydrate formation comprising:
 a completion that is disposed through a Methane Hydrate formation;   an inlet of the completion disposed in the Methane Hydrate formation; and   a drain for water located in a direction proximate a direction of gravity relative to the Methane Hydrate formation and gravitationally beneath the Methane Hydrate formation.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a pump disposed in the drain and configured to pump water. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the pump is connected to a flow conduit that reverses direction of the water and conveys the water to a separate pathway in the same borehole. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the separate pathway is an annulus defined by a production string of the completion. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the separate pathway is within the annulus and in a separate string. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pump is an inverted Electric Submersible Pump. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inlet is a sand screen assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the drain is connected to a water disposal zone. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the water disposal zone is a formation. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the water disposal zone is a lateral borehole. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the water disposal zone is a container. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the water disposal zone is a sea. 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing methane from a Methane Hydrate formation, comprising:
 causing Methane Hydrate in a Methane Hydrate formation to change phase;   collecting liquid water in a direction proximate a direction of gravity as it enters a completion of a borehole; and   collecting free gas in a direction proximate a direction opposite gravity as it enters a completion of a borehole.   
     
     
         14 . A method for producing Methane from a Methane Hydrate formation comprising:
 passing water into a borehole in a direction that is proximate the direction water will flow under the influence of gravity;   passing Methane into the borehole in a direction that is proximate a direction against the direction of gravity; and   managing the water collected to a selected location.   
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising producing the Methane to a containment vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the passing water is drawing water using a pump configured to pump water in a direction other than a direction in which the Methane is passed. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the passing Methane is passive. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the passing Methane is active. 
     
     
         19 . A production system for producing Methane from a Methane Hydrate formation, the system configured to dissociate the Methane Hydrate and maintain separation of Methane gas and nongaseous material as it enters the system and resides in the system.