Method and system for monitoring the incursion of particulate material into a well casing within hydrocarbon bearing formations including gas hydrates

A system for determining the degree of incursion of particulate matter into a well casing used in the production of gas from a subterranean gas hydrate formation, said system comprising:

• a distributed temperature sensing system connected to the end of a submersible pump positioned within the well casing for pumping gas and water out of the well casing, the distributed temperature sensor system comprising a tubing extending within the well casing toward the distal end of said well casing and into a region of particulate matter accumulation such that particulate matter entering the well casing accumulates against the tubing, wherein contact with accumulated particulate matter via the tubing enables measuring the thermal characteristics of the surrounding material beneath the submersible pump at the end of the well casing, thus establishing an estimate of the position of a fluid to particulate material interface.