Thermodynamics-based thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling model for sediment sand erosion and migration induced by hydrate depressurization dissociation
Abstract
The multi-field coupling mechanism between hydrate dissociation and sand production is a pivotal factor controlling hydrate exploitation efficiency. To elucidate the sand erosion and migration processes induced by hydrate dissociation, this study proposes a thermodynamics-based thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling model. This mechanical model considers the effects of deviator stress, seepage and hydrate saturation on sand erosion, and employs the critical migration rate concept to characterize the transition between sand migration and deposition. Besides, it incorporates porosity evolution induced by sand erosion, as well as the degradation of cementation stress. Gas-liquid seepage rate and sand migration rate are deduced using migration coefficient relationships. The model is verified through numerical simulations of hydrate dissociation experiments with and without considering sand production. The proposed theoretical model can describe the nonlinear evolution law of sand erosion and migration induced by hydrate dissociation advancement, along with variations in temperature and axial displacement. Moreover, it is established that hydrate saturation exerts a more remarkable promotive effect on both gas production and sand production than depressurization pressure.
Document Type: Original article
Cited as: Zhou, R., Liu, Y., Yang, G., Huang, W. Thermodynamics-based thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling model for sediment sand erosion and migration induced by hydrate depressurization dissociation. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2026, 20(1): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2026.04.01
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2026.04.01Keywords:
Sand erosion and migration, thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling, hydrate-bearing sediment, numerical modeling, thermodynamic theoryReferences
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rui Zhou, Yang Liu, Guangchang Yang, Wenhao Huang
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