Research advances in water jet technology for natural gas hydrate development

Natural gas hydrate (NGH), a vast, low-carbon, clean energy resource, is significant for national energy security and "dual carbon" strategic goals. However, hydrate-bearing sediments (HBS) feature poor permeability and low productivity, and are prone to sand production during exploitation, restricting commercial development. Water jet (WJ) technology, offering good controllability, operational simplicity, low cost, and environmental friendliness, holds great potential for HBS production enhancement. This paper reviews research progress on applying WJ to NGH development across four aspects: WJ erosion characteristics, high permeability channel construction using WJ, WJ-assisted solid fluidization, and WJ application in trial productions. Specifically, WJ erosion mechanisms and operating condition influences were analyzed. Furthermore, WJ perforation in HBS was simulated, HBS disturbance from WJ slotting was analyzed, and single-well productivity enhancement via WJ slotting and radial WJ drilling was evaluated. WJ breaking tools for solid fluidization were developed. Additionally, WJ adoption in two HBS trial production projects demonstrates its value. This review provides a reference for WJ research and application in HBS exploitation.