天然气水合物是一种由水和烷类分子在高压低温条件下形成的类冰笼状结晶化合物,因储量大、开采难度高而备受关注。目前的研究和开采基本停留在实验或小规模阶段,并未大规模开采。介绍了天然气水合物的形成过程,综述了近年常用开采技术的研究现状,最后总结了9个天然气水合物开采面临的挑战。结论指出,要继续深入探究影响天然气水合物成因和含量的因素,探索其他地质条件下成藏的可能性;天然气水合物开采不同于传统的油气开采,要进一步开展相关研究。与此同时，要将碳捕集、利用与封存(Carbon Capture,Utilization and Storage,CCUS)技术与天然气水合物开采技术进行融合;鉴于目前开采面临的挑战,首先要优先开采具备条件的储层,其次联合不同学科开展攻关研究,形成一套具有中国特色的完整的模拟、实验、监测、开采和风险评价系统,建立天然气水合物开采数据库体系。研究结果可为中国天然气水合物开采技术提供参考。

Natural gas hydrate is an ice-like crystalline compound formed by water and alkane molecules under high-pressure and low-temperature conditions. Due to its vast reserves and mining challenges, it has been a focus of global research. However, current research and mining efforts in various countries remain largely at experimental or small-scale stages, without any large-scale commercial mining. This study reviews the formation process of natural gas hydrates, summarizes the research status of mining technologies commonly used in recent years, and identifies nine challenges faced in mining of natural gas hydrate. The conclusion points out that it is necessary to continue to explore in-depth the factors affecting natural gas hydrate formation and content, as well as the possibility of accumulation under other geological conditions. It highlights that natural gas hydrate exploitation differs significantly from conventional oil and gas production, necessitating further relevant research. At the same time, the study suggests integrating CCUS(Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) technology with natural gas hydrate mining techniques. In view of the current mining challenges, priority should be given to the reservoirs with favorable conditions. To address the identified challenges, interdisciplinary research should be conducted. The goal is to develop a comprehensive system for simulation, experimentation, monitoring, mining, and risk assessment with Chinese characteristics, and to establish independent database system for natural gas hydrate mining. This article can provide reference for China's natural gas hydrate mining technology.