Dissociation of Natural Gas Hydrates Observed by X‐ray CT Scanner

: Core samples containing pore-space gas hydrate within granular sands were collected from 913.76 m of the research well named JAPEX/JNOC/GSC Mallik 2L-38. X-ray CT images of the core were acquired while warming from −18 to 4°C, and subsequently during stepped decreases of 0.1 MPa in the chamber pressure below the methane hydrate equilibrium pressure. Discharged gas flows and sample temperatures were monitored continuously. Changes in CT values indicated that gas hydrate dissociated simultaneously both on the exposed surfaces and within the pore spaces of the sample in response to pressure changes. This suggested that pressure reductions were effectively transmitted through the sample most likely because the samples contained some amount of fluids. The result of gas flow measurements indicated that a larger pressure drawdown caused a higher dissociation rate.