祁连山木里冻土区天然气水合物矿区稀有气体氦、氖地球化学特征及其指示意义

稀有气体氦(He)、氖(Ne)是天然气水合物中的痕量组分,其化学性质稳定,在地质作用过程中其丰度变化几乎不受复杂化学反应和近地表微生物的影响。顶空气He、Ne地球化学勘查方法可以排除沼泽区微生物的强烈干扰,提高包括天然气水合物在内的油气近地表地球化学勘查的效用及精度。选择祁连山木里冻土区天然气水合物矿区进行试验研究,获得近地表土壤顶空气He平均含量为799×10-6,Ne平均含量208×10-6,均高于其在大气中的丰度。稀有气体He、Ne具有很强的穿透能力,平面上,在已知水合物矿藏和水合物远景区上方具有明显的地球化学顶部异常特征;钻井地球化学垂向剖面上,水合物富集层位上方具有明显的上置气异常特征。顶空气He、Ne近地表平面异常和钻井岩屑剖面异常特征证实,祁连山水合物形成过程中烃类气体发生了分异和垂向微渗漏,其携带笼中的稀有气体He、Ne以“类气相”地气流形式垂向迁移。试验证明,顶空气He、Ne异常对木里天然气水合物矿藏具有良好的指示作用。顶空气He、Ne勘查方法是冻土区水合物地球化学勘查技术的有效补充。     

Garnet-bearing ultramafic rocks from the Erzgebirge, and their relation to other settings in the Bohemian Massif

Garnet-bearing ultramafic rocks (GBU) enclosed in high-grade gneisses are known from several parts of the Bohemian Massif. One of these is the high-pressure(HP)-unit 1 in the Erzgebirge Crystalline Complex, which is the subject of the present study. Hitherto, two different models have been put forward to explain the stabilisation of garnet in mantle-derived ultramafic rocks from the Bohemian Massif and their emplacement into the crust. (1) Garnetiferous assemblages were formed in the ultramafics before they came in contact with their crustal host rocks. (2) Garnet was formed in the ultramafics at the expense of spinel due to cooling caused by their tectonic emplacement in the crust. The PT-evolution revealed by the investigated GBU from the Erzgebirge Crystalline Complex, however, requires a third model. The reconstruction of the PT-paths for the Erzgebirge GBU is based on both conventional thermobarometry and phase relations. Thermodynamic calculations allowed the construction of a PT-phase diagram for the system Na₂O-CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O, which is the first quantitative petrogenetic grid in this model system relevant to ultramafic HP-rocks. The grid shows the uni-, di-, and tri-variant assemblages stable in peridotitic rocks at different PT-conditions, providing a tool to constrain PT-paths from the succession of mineral assemblages observed in a rock. The PT-path obtained for the Erzgebirge GBU suggests that the garnet-bearing assemblages formed by HP-metamorphism of spinel peridotite which was emplaced into the crust prior to or during the HP-compressional stage. This model is supported by peak PT-conditions around 900?°C and 30–35 kbar recorded by the ultramafic rocks, which are very similar to those attained in the eclogites sensu stricto which occur in the same tectonic unit (HP-unit 1) and for which an in situ metamorphism has been inferred (Schmädicke et al. 1992). On the other hand, the other two high-pressure units in the Erzgebirge, HP-units 2 and 3, which also contain eclogites sensu stricto but lack peridotites, record lower peak PT-conditions of 650–750?°C/24–26 kbar and 600–650?°C/20–24 kbar, respectively. Postulating an in situ HP-metamorphism for the garnet peridotites as result of continental collision during the Variscan orogeny, a crustal thickness of 90–110 km would be required. A comparison of the distribution of eclogites sensu stricto and mantle-derived rocks from the Bohemian Massif together with their reported PT-conditions reveals a correlation between peak PT-conditions in eclogites sensu stricto and the prevailing assemblages in the ultramafic rocks in the same unit. Furthermore, the Erzgebirge Crystalline Complex and the Snieznik Complex on one hand as well?as the Granulitgebirge and the Sowie Góry on the other hand are thought to be genetically linked. The garnet peridotites from the Granulitgebirge, the Sowie Góry and the Gföhl unit seem to have experienced peak PT-conditions not recorded by their country rocks with non-eclogitic basic interlayers, inferring a formation of?HP-assemblages in the ultramafics prior to their emplacement into the crust.     

Concept and Intension of Natural Gas Hydrate Petroleum System and Case Analysis

According to the hot topics of the natural gas hydrate distribution regularity,formation conditions,accumulation process and accumulation pattern, gas hydrates reservoir forming conditions including gas source, gas hydrate stability zone, reservoir stratum, water source and migration passage were summarized by literature review first. Then, three main factors, geological structure condition, sedimentary condition and geographical climate change were summarized and analyzed, which control the accumulation and distribution of gas hydrates. On basis of this,basic concepts and research methods of natural gas hydrate petroleum system were analyzed and discussed by the example of gas hydrate accumulation conditions and process in permafrost regions of Kunlun mountain pass. The results show that the key of studying gas hydrate accumulation process and evaluating gas hydrate reservoir forming potential is analyzing how the static accumulation elements couple and match in geological time and space.     

泥底辟输导流体机制及其与天然气水合物成藏的关系

摘要：详细阐述不同成因的泥底辟流体输导模式,探讨了泥底辟输导体系的演化与天然气水合物成藏之间的关系,并分析神狐海域泥底辟输导体系对天然气水合物成藏的影响。底辟核外部伴生断裂、底辟核内部流体压裂裂缝和边缘裂缝带均可作为输导流体的通道。根据运移通道和动力等差异性,提出泥底辟输导流体的2种端元模式：超压-流体压裂输导型和边缘构造裂缝输导型。在此基础上,讨论了泥底辟(泥火山)的不同演化阶段对水合物的形成、富集和分解的影响。早期阶段,泥底辟形成的运移通道可能未延伸到水合物稳定带,导致气源供给不够充分;中期阶段,水合物成藏条件匹配良好,利于天然气水合物生成;晚期阶段,泥火山喷发引起水合物稳定带的热异常,可能导致水合物分解,直至泥火山活动平静期,水合物再次成藏。神狐海域内泥底辟分为花冠状和穹顶状两类,花冠状泥底辟以超压-流体压裂输导型为主;穹顶状泥底辟以底辟边缘裂缝输导型为主。泥底辟输导体系的差异性可能是神狐海域天然气水合物非均质分布的影响因素之一。 关键词：泥底辟;输导体系;天然气水合物;成藏机制;神狐海域     

Growth behavior and resource potential evaluation of gas hydrate in core fractures in Qilian Mountain permafrost area,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qilian Mountain permafrost area located in the northern of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a favorable place for natural gas hydrate formation and enrichment, due to its well-developed fractures and abundant gas sources. Understanding the formation and distribution of multi-component gas hydrates in fractures is crucial in accurately evaluating the hydrate reservoir resources in this area. The hydrate formation experiments were carried out using the core samples drilled from hydrate-bearing sediments in Qilian Mountain permafrost area and the multi-component gas with similar composition to natural gas hydrates in Qilian Mountain permafrost area. The formation and distribution characteristics of multi-component gas hydrates in core samples were observed in situ by X-ray Computed Tomography (X-CT) under high pressure and low temperature conditions. Results show that hydrates are mainly formed and distributed in the fractures with good connectivity. The ratios of volume of hydrates formed in fractures to the volume of fractures are about 96.8% and 60.67% in two different core samples. This indicates that the fracture surface may act as a favorable reaction site for hydrate formation in core samples. Based on the field geological data and the experimental results, it is preliminarily estimated that the inventory of methane stored in the fractured gas hydrate in Qilian Mountain permafrost area is about 8.67×10¹³ m³, with a resource abundance of 8.67×10⁸ m³/km². This study demonstrates the great resource potential of fractured gas hydrate and also provides a new way to further understand the prospect of natural gas hydrate and other oil and gas resources in Qilian Mountain permafrost area.©2023 China Geology Editorial Office.     

琼东南盆地天然气水合物与浅层气共生体系成藏特征

继我国在神狐海域两次天然气水合物试采成功之后,近几年来在琼东南盆地的勘探证实了天然气水合物的存在,而且钻探表明其与浅层气具有复杂的共生关系.为揭示琼东南盆地深水区天然气水合物与浅层气共生体系成藏特征,结合岩心、测井及三维地震数据,阐明了天然气水合物与浅层气的空间分布特征,研究结果表明,天然气水合物主要赋存在海底以下200 m范围内的沙质沉积物中,且其形成过程与浅层气的垂向运移有关.对天然气水合物与浅层气共生体系成藏特征的深入分析表明,深部热成因气和浅部生物成因气是其重要的气体来源,第四系未固结沙层是良好的储层,且天然气水合物和浅层气共生体系的分布主要受深部气烟囱和断层的控制.浅层气藏为天然气水合物提供稳定的气源条件;第四系块体流沉积与含天然气水合物地层能有效地封堵浅层气的纵向运移,进一步促进浅层气的成藏.因此,天然气水合物的形成与浅层气的发育具有正反馈的相互作用关系,有利于形成更大规模的天然气水合物矿体和浅层气藏,具有良好的商业开发潜力.      

海底天然气水合物分解与甲烷归宿研究进展

综述了近年来天然气水合物分解与甲烷归宿等方面的研究成果。天然气水合物的汇聚与地质构造或地层圈闭有关,其溶解受物质转换控制,分解则受热转换控制。水合物释放甲烷的运移方式包括分散式、中心式和大规模排放式。缺氧氧化和耗氧氧化是甲烷在海洋环境中的2种主要转化方式。天然气水合物释放甲烷的最终归宿主要为：①重新形成天然气水合物;②形成化能自养生物群落和沉淀出碳酸盐沉积;③与氧发生氧化后转变为CO2;④直接排放进入到大气中。沉积物中的微构造、化能自养生物群落、自生碳酸盐矿物及其碳氧同位素组成是水合物释放事件的指纹记录。     

Application of frequency division inversion in the prediction of heterogeneous natural gas hydrates reservoirs in the Shenhu Area,South China Sea

Drilling results suggest that the thickness of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea (SCS) are spatially heterogenous, making it difficult to accurately assess the NGHs resources in this area. In the case that free gas exists beneath hydrate deposits, the frequency of the hydrate deposits will be noticeably attenuated, with the attenuation degree mainly affected by pore development and free gas content. Therefore, the frequency can be used as an important attribute to identify hydrate reservoirs. Based on the time-frequency characteristics of deposits, this study predicted the spatial distribution of hydrates in this area using the frequency division inversion method as follows. Firstly, the support vector machine (SVM) method was employed to study the amplitude versus frequency (AVF) response based on seismic and well logging data. Afterward, the AVF response was introduced as independent information to establish the nonlinear relationship between logging data and seismic waveform. Then, the full frequency band information of the seismic data was fully utilized to obtain the results of frequency division inversion. The inversion results can effectively broaden the frequency band, reflect the NGHs distribution, and reveal the NGHs reservoirs of two types, namely the fluid migration pathway type and the in situ self-generation self-storage diffusion type. Moreover, the inversion results well coincide with the drilling results. Therefore, it is feasible to use the frequency division inversion to predict the spatial distribution of heterogeneous NGHs reservoirs, which facilitates the optimization of favorable drilling targets and is crucial to the resource potential assessment of NGHs.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

热释光：一种冻土区天然气水合物地球化学勘查新技术

开发不受沼泽微生物影响的地球化学勘查技术是提高中纬度冻土区天然气水合物探井预测成功率的重要课题之一。选择在祁连山聚乎更天然气水合物已知区进行土壤热释光勘查技术实验。实验区为高寒沼泽景观,面积150 km2,采样密度2点/km2,采样深度60 cm,采集土壤样品300件,应用热释光测量仪对土壤样品进行了热释光分析。实验结果表明,天然气水合物矿藏上方出现天然热释光高值异常,与烃类异常浓度范围一致,为顶部异常模式。结合地质和地球化学勘查成果对异常进行了综合解释,认为祁连山聚乎更地区天然气热释光异常与天然气水合物矿藏关系密切,源于深部水合物矿藏。研究对天然气水合物的进一步调查具有重要的参考价值。     

一种冻土区天然气水合物地球化学勘查新技术——惰性气体氦氖分析

开发不受沼泽微生物影响的地球化学勘查技术是提高中纬度冻土区天然气水合物探井预测成功率的重要课题之一。本文选择在祁连山聚乎更天然气水合物已知区进行惰性气体勘查技术实验,研究了氦氖的测试方法,实验区为高寒沼泽景观,面积150km~2,采样密度2点/km~2,采样深度60cm,采集土壤顶空气样品300件和DK-3井岩芯样品400件,应用色谱反吹技术对顶空气样品进行了惰性气体氦氖的分析。结合地质和地球化学勘查成果进行了综合解释,认为惰性气体异常与天然气水合物矿藏关系密切,与烃类异常浓度范围一致,为顶部异常模式。实验区天然气水合物矿藏11个水合物发现井有10个位于He、Ne异常内,1个井位于异常外。分析了天然气水合物岩芯顶空气轻烃和氦氖指标的垂向分布特征,提出了天然气水合物矿藏上方土壤惰性气体的地气迁移机理。研究区近地表氦氖异常源于深部水合物矿藏和断裂构造,不受沼泽微生物的影响,是冻土区天然气水合物勘查的一种有效技术。     

Gas hydrate systems at Hydrate Ridge offshore Oregon inferred from molecular and isotopic properties of hydrate-bound and void gases

We report and discuss molecular and isotopic properties of hydrate-bound gases from 55 samples and void gases from 494 samples collected during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204 at Hydrate Ridge offshore Oregon. Gas hydrates appear to crystallize in sediments from two end-member gas sources (deep allochthonous and in situ) as mixtures of different proportions. In an area of high gas flux at the Southern Summit of the ridge (Sites 1248-1250), shallow (0-40 m below the seafloor [mbsf]) gas hydrates are composed of mainly allochthonous mixed microbial and thermogenic methane and a small portion of thermogenic C₂₊ gases, which migrated vertically and laterally from as deep as 2- to 2.5-km depths. In contrast, deep (50-105 mbsf) gas hydrates at the Southern Summit (Sites 1248 and 1250) and on the flanks of the ridge (Sites 1244-1247) crystallize mainly from microbial methane and ethane generated dominantly in situ. A small contribution of allochthonous gas may also be present at sites where geologic and tectonic settings favor focused vertical gas migration from greater depth (e.g., Sites 1244 and 1245). Non-hydrocarbon gases such as CO₂ and H₂S are not abundant in sampled hydrates. The new gas geochemical data are inconsistent with earlier models suggesting that seafloor gas hydrates at Hydrate Ridge formed from gas derived from decomposition of deeper and older gas hydrates. Gas hydrate formation at the Southern Summit is explained by a model in which gas migrated from deep sediments, and perhaps was trapped by a gas hydrate seal at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Free gas migrated into the GHSZ when the overpressure in gas column exceeded sealing capacity of overlaying sediments, and precipitated as gas hydrate mainly within shallow sediments. The mushroom-like 3D shape of gas hydrate accumulation at the summit is possibly defined by the gas diffusion aureole surrounding the main migration conduit, the decrease of gas solubility in shallow sediment, and refocusing of gas by carbonate and gas hydrate seals near the seafloor to the crest of the local anticline structure.     

祁连山冻土区天然气水合物地球化学迁移机理探讨

陆域冻土区天然气水合物成矿机制较为复杂,水合物横向难以对比,形成机理不清楚,急需对天然气水合物迁移机理进行研究。文章根据祁连山冻土区天然气水合物发现区钻井揭示的地质和地球化学资料以及岩芯样品分析测试结果进行了综合分析。结果显示,研究区中侏罗统和上三叠统均为较好烃源岩,天然水合物气源以热解气为主,主要由上三叠烃源岩迁移和中侏罗统木里组烃源岩扩散提供,显示了多源多期次的特点。根据地质和地球化学分析,祁连山天然气水合物的形成经历了晚侏罗世—早白垩世的气体运移与聚集、中新世中晚期—上新世整体抬升、第四纪游离气体转化成天然气水合物矿藏3个阶段,经历了"先聚集-再抬升-后成藏"等过程,是构造-气候耦合作用的结果,初步建立了祁连山冻土区天然气水合物迁移机理。     

Migration and accumulation characteristics of natural gas hydrates in the uplifts and their slope zones in the Qiongdongnan Basin,China

Various factors controlling the accumulation of natural gas hydrates (NGHs) form various enrichment and accumulation modes through organic combination. This study mainly analyzes the geological and geophysical characteristics of the NGHs occurrence in the uplifts and their slope zones within the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan (QDN) Basin (also referred to as the study area). Furthermore, it investigates the dominant governing factors and models of NGHs migration and accumulation in the study area. The results are as follows. (1) The uplifts and their slope zones in the study area lie in the dominant pressure-relief direction of fluids in central hydrocarbon-rich sags in the area, which provide sufficient gas sources for the NGHs accumulation and enrichment through pathways such as gas chimneys and faults. (2) The top and flanks of gas chimneys below the bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) show high-amplitude seismic reflections and pronounced transverse charging of free gas, indicating the occurrence of a large amount of gas accumulation at the heights of the uplifts. (3) Chimneys, faults, and high-porosity and high-permeability strata, which connect the gas hydrate temperature-pressure stability zones (GHSZs) with thermogenic gas and biogenic gas, form the main hydrate migration system. (4) The reservoir system in the study area comprises sedimentary interlayers consisting of mass transport deposits (MTDs) and turbidites. In addition, the reservoir system has developed fissure- and pore-filling types of hydrates in the pathways. The above well-matched controlling factors of hydrate accumulation enable the uplifts and their slope zones in the study area to become the favorable targets of NGHs exploration.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

青海聚乎更钻探区天然气水合物拉曼光谱特征

了解天然气水合物的微观结构特征对水合物资源勘探和评价具有重要意义。采用显微激光拉曼光谱技术,对青海聚乎更钻探区内DK8-19、DK11-14 和DK12-13等3个站位共9个天然气水合物岩心样品进行了分析测试,探讨了钻探区天然气水合物的拉曼光谱特征。结果表明,青海聚乎更钻探区天然气水合物广泛分布,垂直方向在126.1~322.2 m范围内不连续分布,不同钻孔、不同埋深水合物样品的拉曼光谱特征基本一致,初步判断为Ⅱ型结构水合物,且为多元气体水合物。水合物客体除甲烷、乙烷、丙烷及丁烷等 烷烃外,普遍含有氮气组分。此外,在DK8-19站位埋深为126.1 m样品中发现水合物相中硫化氢组分的拉曼信号,这说明特定区域内可能存在硫化氢气体且形成了水合物。聚乎更钻探区水合 物样品拉曼光谱特征为冻土区天然气水合物成藏与分布规律研究提供了新的启示。     

美国天然气水合物研究计划介绍

以美国近年来提出的天然气水合物研究计划和项目申请书为基础,介绍美国科学家在天然气水合物研究领域中所关心的关键科学与技术问题和研究焦点,供我国天然气水合物研究者在项目设计和开展研究工作时参考。美国天然气水合物研究关注的重点科学问题主要集中在 4个方面：天然气水合物的物理与化学特性研究;天然气水合物开采技术研究;天然气水合物灾害-安全性与海底稳定性研究;天然气水合物在全球碳循环中的作用研究。在研究方法上主要采取天然气水合物区的现场地质地球化学观测、实验室合成和测定及计算模拟,特别关注与水合物和油气冷泉相关的生命过程及与水合物的相互作用研究。     

Tectonodynamics of fluid-conducting structural elements and migration of radionuclides in massifs of crystalline rocks

The principal aspects of reconstruction of conditions and paths of fluid migration in massifs of crystalline rocks are considered. The spatiotemporal relationships between stress fields, brittle failure, and migration of radionuclides are discussed. The main attention is focused on the staged character of tectonic events, fluid circulation conditions, and the sequence of uranium mineral formation as determined with structural, geological, tectonophysical, petrophysical, petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical, microstructural, microthermometric, and radiographic methods. As is exemplified in uranium deposits and massifs of silicic igneous rocks, the comprehensive consideration of the tectonodynamics of fluid-conducting structural elements and radionuclide migration is necessary for providing insights into the localization and redistribution of uranium, the PT conditions of uranium ore formation, and the forecast for long-term safety of disposal of radioactive wastes in crystalline rocks.     

Detection and Evaluation of Gas Hydrates in the Eastern Nankai Trough by Geochemical and Geophysical Methods

Abstract: Interstitial waters extracted from the sediment cores from the exploration wells, “BH‐1” and “MITI Nankai Trough”, drilled ～60 km off Omaezaki Peninsula in the eastern Nankai Trough, were analyzed for the chloride and sulfate concentrations to examine the depth profiles and occurrence of subsurface gas hydrates. Cored intervals from the seafloor to 310 mbsf were divided into Unit 1 (～70 mbsf, predominated by mud), Unit 2 (70–150 mbsf, mud with thin ash beds), Unit 3 (150–250+ mbsf, mud with thin ash and sand), and Unit 4 (275–310 mbsf, predominated by mud). The baseline level for Cl “concentrations was 540 mM, whereas low chloride anomalies (103 to 223 mM) were identified at around 207 mbsf (zone A), 234–240 mbsf (zone B), and 258–265 mbsf (zone C) in Unit 3. Gas hydrate saturation (Sh %) of sediment pores was calculated to be 60 % (zone A) to 80 % (zones B and C) in sands whereas only a few percent in clay and silt. The total amount of gas hydrates in hydrate‐bearing sands was estimated to be 8 to 10 m³ of solid gas hydrate per m², or 1.48 km³ CH₄ per 1 km². High saturation zones (A, B and C) were consistent with anomaly zones recognized in sonic and resistivity logs. 2D and high‐resolution seismic studies revealed two BSRs in the study area. Strong BSRs (BSR‐1) at ～263 mbsf were correlated to the boundary between gas hydrate‐bearing sands (zone C) and the shallower low velocity zone, while the lower BSRs (BSR‐2) at～289 mbsf corresponded to the top of the deeper low velocity zone of the sonic log. Tectonic uplift of the study area is thought to have caused the upward migration of BGHS. That is, BSR‐1 corresponds to the new BGHS and BSR‐2 to the old BGHS. Relic gas hydrates and free gas may survive in the interval between BSR‐1 and BSR‐2, and below BSR‐2, respectively. Direct measurements of the formation temperature for the top 170 m interval yield a geothermal gradient of ～4.3d?C/ 100 m. Extrapolation of this gradient down to the base of gas hydrate stability yields a theoretical BGHS at～230 mbsf, surprisingly ～35 m shallower than the base of gas hydrate‐bearing sands (zone C) and BSR‐1. As with the double BSRs, another tectonic uplift may explain the BGHS at unreasonably shallow depths. Alternatively, linear extrapolation of the geothermal gradient down to the hydrate‐bearing zones may not be appropriate if the gradient changes below the depths that were measured. Recognition of double BSRs (263 and 289 mbsf) and probable new BGHS (～230 mbsf) in the exploration wells implies that the BGHS has gradually migrated upward. Tectonically induced processes are thought to have enhanced dense and massive accumulation of gas hydrate deposits through effective methane recycling and condensation. To test the hypothetical models for the accumulation of gas hydrates in Nankai accretionary prism, we strongly propose to measure the equilibrium temperatures for the entire depth range down to the free gas zone below predicted BGHS and to reconstruct the water depths and uplift history of hydrate‐bearing area.     

未来接替能源——天然气水合物面临的挑战与前景

天然气水合物作为新型化石燃料展现出巨大的资源潜力,如何科学地估算全球天然气水合物资源量与安全而经济地开采天然气水合物是全世界关注的焦点。文章在系统地分析了全球气水合物研究4个发展阶段认识的基础上,结合笔者对中国南海天然气水合物近20年的研究经历,明确了中国南海天然气水合物赋存的构造背景复杂、沉积过程与类型多样、表征难度大等多种难题。指出了天然气水合物研究面临的6个地质问题与瓶颈:新近系层序地层划分的成因性对比、稳定带厚度与水合物赋存机理、陆缘水动力背景复杂且沉积类型多样、水合物分布与沉积响应间的关系、构造运动对水合物的聚散控制以及水合物成藏模式与判识评价体系;探讨了目前天然气水合物资源量估算过程中存在的优缺点以及试采仍需要攻关的关键理论与技术问题。从地质角度回答了油峰到来的预期与天然气水合物作为接替能源的可能性与前景,指出中国南海的地质特点与天然气水合物的分布规律,明确提出了天然气水合物研究既不可盲目性乐观、也不可强制性悲观的学术观点。     

The formation mechanism of mud diapirs and gas chimneys and their relationship with natural gas hydrates: insights from the deep-water area of Qiongdongnan Basin,northern South China Sea

ABSTRACT

Mud diapirs and gas chimneys are widely developed in continental slope areas, which can provide sufficient gas for hydrate formation, and they are important for finding natural gas hydrates. Based on the interpretation and analysis of high-resolution 2D and 3D seismic data covering the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB), northern South China Sea, we studied the formation mechanism of mud diapirs and gas chimneys and their relationship with natural gas hydrates. Mud diapirs and gas chimneys are columnar and domelike in shape and the internal regions of these bodies have abnormal reflections characterized by fuzzy, chaotic, and blanking zones. The reflection events terminate at the rims of mud diapirs and gas chimneys with pull-up reflections and pull-down reflections, respectively. In addition, ‘bright spots’ and diapiric-associated faults occur adjacent to mud diapirs and gas chimneys. The rapidly deposited and deeply buried fine sediments filling in the Tertiary in deep-water areas of the QDNB and overpressure potential derived from undercompacted mudstones, as well as from the pressurization of organic matter and hydrocarbon generation, provide abundant materials and intensive driving forces for the formation of mud diapirs and gas chimneys. Bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) with strong amplitude and high or poor continuity were recognized atop the mud diapirs and gas chimneys and in the structural highs within the same region, indicating that they have a close relationship with each other. The mud diapirs and gas chimneys and associated high-angle faults provide favourable vertical pathways for the hydrocarbons migrating from deep strata to shallow natural gas hydrate stability zones where natural gas hydrates accumulate; however, some BSRs are characterized by weak amplitude and poor continuity, which can be affected by high temperature and overpressure in the process of the mud diapir and gas chimney activities. This mutually restricting relationship must be taken into consideration in the process of gas hydrate exploration in QDNB.