The Change in Geomechanical Properties of Gas Saturated Methane Hydrate‐Bearing Sand Resulting From Water Saturation

Laboratory tests were carried out on gas‐saturated hydrate‐bearing sand (HBS) specimens that were subsequently water saturated to determine the influence of water saturation on their small‐strain (stiffness) and large‐strain (strength) behavior. Hydrate formed using the “excess gas” method led to significant increases in stiffness and strength of the sand. The magnitude increase in stiffness was largest for the lowest hydrate saturation tests...