Study of Sulfur Deposition Pattern of High-Sulfur Natural Gas Under Aqueous Conditions
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: China is rich in high-sulfur natural gas resources. During reservoir development, reservoir temperature and pressure reduction induces the precipitation of elemental sulfur. Subsurface sulfur deposition seriously affects the recovery and the stable production of high-sulfur gas reservoirs. This study utilized multiple experimental techniques, including CT scanning, scanning electron microscopy, energy spectrum analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The experiments were conducted under different water saturation levels and pressure differences. The results showed that the permeability of the rock samples decreased after sulfur deposition. The permeability reduction varied from 0.004 mD to 8.852 mD, with a relative change of 10.2% to 29.8%. Meanwhile, sample porosity also declined, and the porosity damage ranged from 1.5% to 11.9%. Scanning electron microscopy showed that sulfur presented a membrane adsorption morphology on the surface of skeleton particles, with spherical particles protruding from the membrane. Rock samples with poorer physical properties showed lamellar superposition sulfur deposition. Sulfur deposition damage became more severe with increasing pressure difference and weakened as water saturation increased. Beyond a water saturation of 40.6%, further increases no longer reduce sulfur deposition damage.
Source: Processes
DOI: 10.3390/pr14132195
Authors: Li Wang, Yan Yang, Ying Wan, Dihong Zhang, Weiyi Luo, Daqing Tang, Qingxiu Zhang, Zhijin Pu, Zhao Ding, Haoqi Chen, Jiaxing Wang, Shuang Chen, Jiyu Li, Xinhan Li, Yu Peng
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanics of Materials
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7167508188