1000 m long gas blow-out pipes

This study presents seismic observation of pipe anomalies from offshore Nigeria, outcrops of blow-out pipes from Rhodes, Greece, and geophysical modelling of an acoustic pipe. The studies give insight into how pipes form, their internal structure, the seismic image and geophysical artefacts related to the pipes. Over one hundred seafloor craters, 100 m-700 m wide and up to 30 m deep, have been observed on the seafloor offshore Nigeria. They are underlain by interpreted cones and seismic pipe anomalies that can be traced down to reservoir zones at 1000 m-1300 m below the seafloor. The seismic pipe anomalies are 50 m-150 m wide and almost vertical. They are interpreted as up-scaled pipes found in outcrops on Rhodes, Greece. The outcrops show pipe-related structures at three levels. Lowest, the reservoir rock contains metre-sized cavities which are filled with a mixture of clay derived from the overlying cap rock. In the middle, several circular to oval structures in plane view of pipes are observed in the lowest part of the cap rock. Highest, 15 m into the clay cap rock, strongly sheared country rock forms circular structures with a core of structureless clay. Based on outcrop observation on Rhodes we constructed an acoustic model of a 50 m wide and 1000 m long pipe. Seismic modelling proves that such pipes would be expressed in seismic data, that they are similar to the seismic pipe anomalies offshore Nigeria but this study also revealed that prominent intra-pipe reflections are artefacts. A formation model for the pipes is suggested: High fluid overpressure in the reservoir generated hydro fractures from the reservoir to seafloor where a mixture of gas and fluid flowed at high speed to form pipes, cones and seafloor craters. After hours to weeks of gas and fluid flow through the pipe the pore pressure in the reservoir dropped and the blow-out terminated. Muddy slurry fell back and plugged the cavity in the reservoir and the pipe.     

长江口盐度的时空变化特征及其指示意义

2003年2,7月在长江口进行了枯、洪季大规模综合水文测验,布控范围西自江阴东至口外-20m,测验站点覆盖4条入海汊道.测验资料统计分析表明:(1)径流大小、汊道分流比、潮汐强弱和地形条件是控制盐度时空变化的主要要素;(2)在盐度空间分布上从大至小的顺序是:北支,南槽,北槽,北港口;(3)北支枯季发生盐水倒灌南支,而洪季可有一半以上区段为淡水所控;在其他3个入海汊道中,北港口门段是长江口盐淡水混合相对最弱的区段,盐度潮周期变幅最大,但洪枯变幅最小;南槽的盐淡水混合较强,盐度潮周期变幅较小,但洪枯变幅很大;北槽介于两者之间.(4)盐度时空变化反映洪季北支、南港和南槽分流比都有所增加.     

西非加蓬海岸盆地盐岩特征及其石油地质意义

加蓬海岸盆地主要分为南加蓬次盆和北加蓬次盆,是典型的西非被动大陆边缘含盐盆地,盐岩的分布具有一定规律性和差异性,并且对盆地内油气成藏具有重要的控制作用。分析了加蓬海岸盆地的构造演化与沉积充填特征、基本石油地质条件、盐岩的分布特征及其对盆地烃源岩特征、储层分布、圈闭特征、封盖条件、油气成藏,以及油气藏储量等各方面的影响与控制作用,并指出,由于加蓬海岸盆地的绝大多数油气成藏都与盐岩密不可分,因此深化盆地内盐岩展布特征的研究,对进一步评价北加蓬次盆的盐下层系及南次盆登泰尔地堑的勘探潜力具有重要意义。     

1949-2006年西北太平洋热带气旋活动的气候分析

应用1949～2006年的《台风年鉴》资料对出现在西北太平洋的热带气旋(TC)的活动规律进行了气候再分析,按照新的TC分类方法探讨了近58a来西北太平洋TC的时空分布特征。分析结果表明,西北太平洋TC的时空分布差异显著,其发生源地可划分为4个,发生时间和位置的季节性变化明显,每年登陆我国TC的个数与西北太平洋TC数量的增减保持一致,TC全年集中发生在7～10月期间,TC的年代际变化表现为上世纪80～90年代发生的频数比60～70年代显著减小。小波分析显示TC活动3～6 a与12～14a的变化周期显著。     

Seismic and structural characterization of fluid escape pipes using 3D and partial stack seismic from the Loyal Field (Scotland,UK): A multiphase and repeated intrusive mechanism

The potential for fluid leakage from sub-surface reservoirs has important implications for CO2 storage, hydrocarbon reservoirs and water resources. Understanding the genesis, morphology, fluid flow mechanisms and extent of fluid escape from reservoirs allows for better risking of geological resources and storage potential. Here we describe in detail the structures of fluid escape pipes from the Loyal Field, observed from a 3D full and partial stack seismic dataset. The seismic imagery suggests that the fluid escape pipes are rooted at least in the main Paleocene reservoir and by-pass the reservoir seal to cross the post Lista Formation overburden up to the intra-Neogene units. The pipes extend for a few hundred meters to a few kilometres and show varying shape and structure from blow-out structures to incipient mud volcanoes. A detailed analysis of the seismic characteristics observed both from main baseline and partial stack data allows a division of the pipes into two families: (1) seeps and pipes following structural discontinuities and (2) pipes unrelated to the pre-existing structural features. The pipes internal seismic response, the reflector termination of the main conduits and the distribution of stacked bright reflectors suggest an upward migration mechanism (during pipe birth and development), requiring a cyclic switching from non-Darcy hydrofracturing (during overpressure) to Darcy flow lateral migration (during low-pressure stage).     

Climate teleconnections at monthly time scales in the Ligurian Sea inferred from satellite data

The existence and spatial distribution of possible teleconnections between the South Pacific and North Atlantic oceans and the Ligurian Sea (North-western Mediterranean) are investigated in the present paper. Teleconnections are searched by cross-correlating monthly spatio-temporal time series of 1.1 km resolution sea surface temperature (SST), and a 22.2 km resolution sea level anomaly (SLA), measured from satellite from March 1993 to August 1999, with two indices characterising the South Pacific and the North Atlantic variability: the Southern Oscillation (SO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) indices, respectively. Concerning the variability induced by the North Atlantic Ocean, it is shown that it mostly influences the SLA field in the Ligurian Sea. Specifically, relevant anti-correlations between SLA and North Atlantic variability have been found in all the Ligurian sub-basin. As expected by geographical proximity, the effects of North Atlantic on the SLA field in the Ligurian Sea are instantaneous at monthly time scales. Instead, correlations between SST and NAO Index are found at time lag τ = 1 month in the southern part of the basin highlighting the memory of the ocean related to their heat capacity. Significant anti-correlations between SO Index and the SST field in the Ligurian Sea, were obtained at time lag τ = 4 months in the coastal areas of the sub-basin. Results also indicate that the impact of teleconnections in the area studied is not geographically uniform.     

秋季和春季黄渤海黄色物质空间分布特征

利用2013年秋季和2014年春季两个季节黄渤海现场数据对黄色物质的水平分布及垂向分布的变化进行研究,并初步分析了其主要控制因素。垂向黄色物质表现为底部高上层低的特征。其中,秋季混合作用加强导致上层40m黄色物质混合较为均匀;春季北黄海温盐跃层已经形成,黄色物质分布开始出现明显的分层现象,上下层浓度差约为2?g/L。春季南黄海盐度跃层尚未形成,水深小于50m的水层黄色物质垂向分布均匀,近岸和远岸海域浓度分界线明显。水平方向上,黄色物质在秋季和春季分布趋势一致,由渤海、北黄海至南黄海浓度依次降低,且呈现出由近岸向中央海区递减的趋势,但整体上春季浓度较秋季明显偏低。海表盐度与黄色物质浓度两者整体上呈现负相关关系,可以将黄色物质浓度分布作为研究黄海暖流走向、划分水团性质的重要指标。     

The spatial pattern and drainage cell characteristics of a pockmark field,Nile Deep Sea Fan

Over 25,300 seabed pockmarks were mapped from the Rosetta Channel region of the Western Nile Deep Sea Fan (NDSF) using concurrent High Resolution 2D, Chirp profiler and multibeam bathymetry data which spans the Holocene–Pleistocene period. Within the region, a pockmark field containing >13,800 pockmarks was analysed using spatial statistics to determine the distribution of pockmarks within the field. Pockmarks within the field are small (∼16 m diameter), shallow (∼0.5 m deep) circular depressions which formed within the last ∼ 6500 years. The fluid source for the field is identified as an accumulation/generation of gas beneath a hemipelagic seal c. 20–40 ms beneath the seabed. The position of the pockmarks is shown to be unrelated to the depth to the fluid source and an irregular high amplitude acoustic anomaly which is tentatively interpreted as a possible carbonate precipitate of biogenic microbial activity. Statistical spatial analysis of the field confirms the distribution of pockmarks is not random. An exclusion zone surrounding each individual pockmark is identified. The exclusion zone is a unique minimum radius around each pockmark which is not penetrated by any other pockmark. The exclusion zone works in unison with Self-Organised Criticality (SOC) in determining the spatial distribution of pockmarks within the field. The exclusion zone is interpreted as a pockmark “drainage cell”. A conceptual model for a pockmark drainage cell is proposed whereby pockmark formation dissipates a radius/area of fluid and overpressure, thereby preventing the formation of another pockmark within that cell. Consequently, pockmarks are observed to separate or produce anti-clustering tendencies within the field.     

Diversity and Distribution of the Bryozoa along Underwater Cliffs in the Adriatic Sea with Special Reference to Thermal Regime

Abstract.  The diversity and distribution of bryozoans have been surveyed at two localities, Cape Struga on Lastovo Island (South Adriatic) and Cape Šilo on Prvić Island near Senj (North Adriatic), with similar characteristics of topography and exposure but markedly different sea temperature conditions. Continuous measurements over one year have shown that temperature conditions differ in two aspects. First, the annual range of temperature is much larger in the North. Second, in the South during summer, marine life within the thermocline layer is exposed to large high-frequency temperature oscillations, partly due to an internal diurnal tide, a phenomenon recorded for the first time in the Adriatic. Altogether, 78 species have been recorded, 57 in Lastovo and 50 in Prvić, and 29 in both localities. The comparison of mean zooid lengths of 14 bryozoan species occurring at both localities indicates no consistent difference in zooid size between northern and southern sites. Seventeen bryozoan species have been recorded in the Eastern Adriatic Sea for the first time.     

Formation rates of subtropical underwater in the Pacific Ocean

Water mass formation rates were calculated for subtropical underwater (STUW) in the North and South Pacific by two partially independent methods. One is based on the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE)/TOGA drifter array over two periods: 1988–1992, and 1992–1996. Drifter velocities were used to calculate two components of the subduction rate, lateral induction and vertical pumping. The second method used CFC-12 data (1987–1994) from WOCE and Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory to calculate ages on σ_θ surfaces. Subduction rates were estimated from the inverse age gradient. The two subduction rate methods are independent, but they share a common identification of STUW formation area based on satellite-derived surface temperature maps. Using both methods, one can put bounds on the formation rates: 4–5 Sv in the North and 6–7 Sv in the South Pacific. The drifter calculated STUW subduction rates for 1988–1992 and 1992–1996 are 21 and 13 m/yr in the North Pacific and 25 and 40 m/yr in the South. The CFC-12 calculated STUW subduction rate in the North Pacific is 26 m/yr, and 32 m/yr in the South. The South Pacific rates exceed those in the North Pacific. Consistent differences between the two methods support earlier studies, they conclude that mixing contributes to STUW formation in addition to the larger-scale circulation effects. The drifter and tracer rates agree well quantitatively, within 22%, except for the second period in the North Pacific and there are some differences in spatial patterns. Tracer rates integrate over time, and drifters allow analysis of interannual variability. The decrease in subduction rate between periods in the North Pacific is due to negative lateral induction entraining STUW into the mixed layer. The increase in the South Pacific rate is due to an increase in the vertical pumping. Although Ekman pumping is in phase in the North and South, the subduction rate is out of phase. These results confirm that subduction depends on the large-scale circulation and a combination of the outcrop pattern and air–sea fluxes. Temporal differences in rates and partitioning between the hemispheres are consistent with interannual changes in gyre intensity and current positions.     

海洋纤维增强热塑性立管极限承载拉力预测方法

海洋新型纤维增强热塑性立管因其可盘卷、耐腐蚀、耐疲劳和轻质化等优点,在深水油气开发中应用前景十分广阔。热塑性立管具有复合材料的各向异性、受力耦合效应及复杂的本构关系,且承受浮体运动和复杂海洋环境载荷,其失效模式尚未明确。针对轴对称载荷作用下纤维增强热塑性立管极限承载力问题,进行热塑性管稳态热传导和热应力的理论推导,求解了稳态温度和应力分布,首次给出了在任意温度载荷作用下管体径向位移的解析解,并直接求解其径向、轴向、环向和剪切应力。采用各向同性层Von Mises和各向异性层最大应力（Max Stress）准则或Tsai-Hill准则判定热塑性管的失效,基于应力分布、失效准则和二分法计算了热塑性管的极限载荷。温度载荷、纤维铺设角度和径厚比对管道的应力分布影响显著。不同温度载荷会改变失效指数沿径向的变化趋势,增大轴向拉力将增大热塑性管的失效指数,选用不同的失效准则在管体失效判定上存在一定的差异。热塑性管温度越低、纤维铺设角越小及径厚比越大,管道对轴向拉伸载荷的承载能力越强。     

Some Unresolved Issues in Ocean Pipes Aspirating Fluid

This paper reviews the dynamics of ocean pipes aspirating fluid and presents a selective review of the research undertaken on it. It focuses on the equations of motion, fluid-solid interaction at the inlet of the free end of the pipe, the stability mechanism of pipes aspirating steady fluid, etc. In particular, some unresolved or partly resolved issues on these important aspects are discussed. Finally, the promising future development in this area is discussed.     

细长输流管内外流耦合振动特性研究

管内流动会影响输流管的振动响应,目前关于输流弹性管涡激振动方面的研究较少。基于计算流体力学(CFD)方法,开展内外流对细长输流弹性管振动特性影响的研究。首先在不考虑内流的情况下将弹性管涡激振动数值预报结果与模型试验数据进行对比,验证了数值方法的可靠性。再者考虑内外流耦合作用情况下,对不同内流流速下细长输流弹性管振动位移时—空分布、顺流向最大平均偏移、振动轨迹、内部横向涡的形成与分布等进行了对比分析。结果发现,与外流流速相比,内流流速的增加虽然难以改变弹性管的主振模态,但对沿管体的振动强度影响显著。顺流向最大偏移处管体运动轨迹发生明显的变形和跳跃。在剪切外流和均匀内流对弹性管的联合作用下,沿管跨方向模态间能量转换频繁,伴随着间歇性出现或消失的沿弹性管传播的行波组分,这主要归因于复杂的双重流固耦合系统(外流—管体,内流—管体)。在内流以附加质量力、离心力和科氏力形式的激励下,弹性管内二次流现象明显。在振动过程中,内部横向涡沿管壁生成、脱落并逐渐散布于整个横截面。     

Centrifuge modelling of an on-bottom pipeline under equivalent wave and current loading

Pipelines are the main element in transporting hydrocarbons from their extraction sites to on-shore or floating facilities, with preference now given to pipelines laid directly on the seabed due to their fast and economic installation. However, these pipelines are exposed and must be stable under all environmental conditions, and therefore, their design for on-bottom stability is of critical importance. Although accurate prediction of the pipe–soil interaction behaviour under hydrodynamic loads from waves and currents is of major concern, limited physical testing of pipes subjected to these cyclic loading conditions has occurred. Tests have concentrated on simpler load combinations in order to develop pipe–soil friction factors or the key parameters in plasticity models that described pipe–soil behaviour. In this paper, results from geotechnical centrifuge experiments of a model pipe on calcareous sand soil collected from offshore on the North West Shelf of Australia are presented. A sophisticated load control scheme allowed complex paths characteristic of hydrodynamic loads to be applied during the testing. Furthermore, pipe testing could be extended to relatively large horizontal movements of up to 5 pipe diameter. The results of the centrifuge testing programme provide improved understanding of the pipe–soil interaction under complex hydrodynamic load paths. They have also been used to assess a state-of-the-art plasticity model describing pipe–soil interaction on calcareous sands.     

Fluid mud dynamics in the Weser estuary turbidity zone tracked by high-resolution side-scan sonar and parametric sub-bottom profiler

Fluid mud in estuarine turbidity maximum zones (TMZ) can pose considerable navigation risks due to potentially substantial reductions in nautical depth, coupled with an inherent difficulty of detection by conventional echo-sounders. Despite intensive research efforts, however, our knowledge about the spatial and temporal dynamics of fluid mud is still not sufficient. In this study, the combined use of a side-scan sonar (Sportscan®, Imagenex) and a parametric sub-bottom profiler (SES-2000®, Innomar Technology GmbH) has proved successful for high-resolution fluid mud detection and volumetric quantification in an estuarine environment. In 2004 and 2005, repeated surveys were conducted in the navigation channel of the upper meso- to lower macrotidal Weser estuary TMZ (German North Sea coast) at different tidal stages and river discharges. Current velocity data were simultaneously collected by 1,200-kHz broadband ADCP (RDInstruments) measurements. Ground-truthing was carried out by means of grab sampling and gravity coring, adapted to fluid mud conditions. It was found that fluid mud occurrence in the Weser estuary is highly variable on time scales of a few hours and spatial scales of several metres. The riverbed is characterised by sand and mud deposits, and a complex morphology including subaqueous dunes and smooth bed deposits intermittently overlain by fluid mud. Thus, a continuous, coherent fluid mud body covering the entire TMZ riverbed was not observed. Rather, spatial distribution was patchy and highly dependent on suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations in the water column, as a result of which local fluid mud deposits varied in thickness from centimetres to metres. The formation of fluid mud was largely restricted to slack water, although slack-water conditions were not necessarily associated with large-scale fluid mud appearance. Advective SPM transport of resuspended fluid mud seems to be the most plausible explanation for the high spatial variability observed, even between two successive tides. The amount of fluid mud deposited and resuspended in the course of a tidal cycle can reach several 10s of tons even in small riverbed depressions.     

基于地统计学南海北部近海竹荚鱼空间分布特征

竹荚鱼(Trachurus japonicus)是我国南海北部近海主要渔获物之一。根据2014—2017年对南海北部开展的8个航次近海渔业资源和环境调查数据, 采用地统计学方法分析竹荚鱼时空分布特征和相关生态动力过程。结果表明, 竹荚鱼总体布局以低密度为主, 高密度海域较少, 季节性集聚特征明显, 依次为夏季>春季>秋季>冬季。竹荚鱼空间分布具有极强的空间异质性, 空间结构性比例均在75%以上, 变异模型以高斯模型为主, 空间相关距离(变程)大约在0.52°左右, 且季节性特征明显。对地统计参数值和单位捕捞努力量(catch per unit effort, CPUE)的相关关系研究发现, 竹荚鱼资源密度越大, 空间异质性特征越明显。通过统计各向分维值分析竹荚鱼各向异质性特征, 发现西北—东南向的空间异质性较为显著, 表明该方向的海洋动力过程将对竹荚鱼洄游分布产生重要影响。此外, 基于克里格插值分析, 发现竹荚鱼呈西南—东北向洄游分布规律, 空间布局呈片状和斑块状, 且易受极端气候(厄尔尼诺和拉尼娜等事件)影响。     

Numerical modelling of deep sea air-lift

Deep sea air-lifting of solid particles from depth of 1600 m is simulated with a mathematical model of the three-phase flow in an upward pipe. The computations are carried out for an axisymmetric domain in a transient way. Phase distributions, pressure and velocity profiles together with flow rates for all phases are presented and analysed. The influence of the pipe diameter on the air-lift efficiency was studied for air-lift pipes of different lengths and found to be significant. The lifting efficiency increases with the increase of the pipe diameter due to the reduction of the wall friction influence on the flow. In addition, the efficiency also increases with the increase of the solid particles volume fraction at the inlet. The presented numerical model can be utilized during various stages of the design of the air-lift pumps to help answer fundamental questions on the process, and during their operation to select optimal process parameters and to address possible problems.     

The State of the Adriatic Sea Centered on the Small Pelagic Fish Populations

Abstract. The paper provides an overview of the state of the small pelagic fish in the Adriatic Sea. The North Adriatic is reviewed for the 1976–1998 period and the South Adriatic for the 1987–1998 period. First the fluctuations in time and in space of the pelagic biomass, as a whole and per species, are presented. Then the dramatic collapse of anchovy stock and its apparent association with the decrease of surface temperature is discussed. Finally the changes of the anchovy and sardine catches are compared and analysed with respect to their abundances in the sea. The conclusion is that acoustic and satellite methods are able to provide a large amount of information on the variability in the pelagic populations; this is essential for an appropriate management of these resources. There is still a need, however, to refine the methods and to integrate this kind of information with further environmental data (including natural predators).     

Energy Transfer Mechanism and Probability Analysis of Submarine Pipe Laterally Impacted by Dropped Objects

Energy transfer ratio is the basic-factor affecting the level of pipe damage during the impact between dropped object and submarine pipe. For the purpose of studying energy transfer and damage mechanism of submarine pipe impacted by dropped objects, series of experiments are designed and carried out. The effective yield strength is deduced to make the quasi-static analysis more reliable, and the normal distribution of energy transfer ratio caused by lateral impact on pipes is presented by statistic analysis of experimental results based on the effective yield strength, which provides experimental and theoretical basis for the risk analysis of submarine pipe system impacted by dropped objects. Failure strains of pipe material are confirmed by comparing experimental results with finite element simulation. In addition, impact contact area and impact time are proved to be the major influence factors of energy transfer by sensitivity analysis of the finite element simulation.     

南海民都洛岛西南暖池的季节变化研究

南海暖池作为影响我国东南部地区气候变化的重要因素,研究其多时间尺度变化特征及动力机制对于更加准确预报我国天气变化具有重要意义。结合海表面温度卫星观测资料和海表面再分析数据,识别和研究了南海民都洛岛西南暖池的季节变化特征,并利用数值模式探讨了其强迫机制。暖池位于民都洛岛西南方向约100 km范围内,中心位置在120.5°E, 12.5°N。暖池整个季节变化过程可分为发展期(10～11月)、成熟期(12～2月)、衰退期(3～5月)、消失期(6～9月)4个阶段:11月份暖池与南北两侧冷水温差达到0.5°C,暖池结构初步形成; 2月份温差达到1.1°C (南侧)和0.7°C (北侧),暖池最强;3月份暖池开始衰退,到6月份完全消失。进一步研究表明,该暖池的形成与地形引起的民都洛岛附近海域潜热通量的空间差异有关:冬季盛行的东北季风被民都洛岛上的高海拔山脉阻挡,在民都洛岛西南背风侧形成低风速区,而在南北两侧形成风激流(风速极大值区)。风速的空间差异引起了海表面潜热通量的差异,导致民都洛岛背风侧的潜热通量较周围海域要小,海表面温度较周围海域要高,从而导致了暖池的形成。