Acoustic evidence for shallow gas accumulations in the sediments of the Eastern Black Sea*

ABSTRACT The Black Sea contains immense gas accumulations. Exploration of gas accumulations is geologically and economically important because migration of methane in sediments may cause massive slope failures and the methane seeps may indicate deeper hydrocarbon reservoirs. Human activity both in and on the seafloor (oil industry) and natural activity (earthquakes, cyclones) trigger mechanisms for seafloor failure and gas release that may have a local and possibly global environmental impact. Recently, sonar and high‐resolution seismic surveys were carried out to obtain information about the effects of gas and gas‐filled sediments throughout the Turkish margin of the Eastern Black Sea, and shallow gas was detected on the subbottom profiler records. It continues about 25–65 m below the sea floor and is marked by bright and cloudy spots, sometimes pockmarks and acoustic voids. The lower section of the Turkish shelf is an extensive pockmarked plateau. The pockmarks are seen as circular structures with high backscattering on the sonar records.     

东海陆坡及邻近槽底天然气水合物成藏条件分析及前景

在西太平洋边缘海中,东海是唯一没有获得天然气水合物样品的边缘海。利用已有的地震资料、海底温度资料等,从沉积物来源、沉积地层厚度、烃源岩条件、沉积速率、海底温度—压力条件等方面对东海水合物成藏条件进行了分析。认为冲绳海槽沉积物源丰富,沉积厚度大,且发育烃源岩地层。冲绳海槽较高的沉积速率主要分布于冲绳海槽槽底沉积中心,以及西部陆坡连接海底峡谷底部的三角洲区域。根据冲绳海槽实测的海底温度数据,整个冲绳海槽地区600m以深的范围都能够满足水合物发育的温度、压力条件。以温度梯度为30℃/km计算,冲绳海槽中水合物稳定域的最大厚度为650m。冲绳海槽盆地中普遍发育的底辟构造、背斜构造等局部构造,以及网格状断裂系统,为烃类气流体的向上及侧向运移创造了有利条件,成为天然气水合物发育的有利区带。根据已经发现的BSR特征来看,东海地区天然气水合物前景广阔。     

A 3D basin modeling study of the factors controlling gas hydrate accumulation in the Shenhu Area of the South China Sea

Great advancement has been made on natural gas hydrates exploration and test production in the northern South China Sea. However, there remains a lot of key questions yet to be resolved, particularly about the mechanisms and the controls of gas hydrates enrichment. Numerical simulaution would play signficant role in addressing these questions. This study focused on the gas hydrate exploration in the Shenhu Area, Northern South China Sea. Based on the newly obtained borehole and multichannel reflection seismic data, the authors conducted an integrated 3D basin modeling study on gas hydrate. The results indicate that the Shenhu Area has favorable conditions for gas hydrate accumulation, such as temperature, pressure, hydrocarbon source, and tectonic setting. Gas hydrates are most concentrated in the Late Miocene strata, particularly in the structual highs between the Baiyun Sag and the Liwan Sag, and area to the south of it. It also proved the existence of overpressure in the main sag of source rocks, which was subject to compaction disequilibrium and hydrocarbon generation. It also shown that the regional fault activity is not conducive to gas hydrate accumulation due to excess gas seepage. The authors conjecture that fault activity may slightly weaken overpressure for the positive effect of hydrocarbon expulsion and areas lacking regional fault activity have better potential.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Regional fracture analysis south Latitude 29° N of Egypt and their influence on earthquakes

Egypt had been subjected to earthquakes of various degrees but earthquake observation in this country started only in 1899. Earthquakes were found in the locations where fractures have relatives high densities.The Fracture pattern of Egypt south Latitude at 29° N was studied regionally based on Landsat images and aerial photomosaics. Fractures in the Eastern Desert have the prominent trends, NW, EW, NNW and ENE, showing high density in the northern and southern parts. These fractures control the distribution of mineral deposits and radioactivity in the basement rocks.Fractures in Western Desert are less remarkable with the main trend NNW, E-W, N-S and NW, showing high density in the central part. The NNW trending fractures have the same direction of sand dunes which cover larger areas in the northwestern part of Western Desert.Based on the geographical distribution of earthquakes in the seismic maps and centers of high fractures density on the structural contour maps, the area south of latitude 29° N of Egypt was divided into three regions: The Red Sea, Western Desert and Aswan Environs. This correlation led to the conclusion that the fractures have an effect on earthquake activity, are trending ENE and WNW in the Red Sea, NW and N-S in the Western Desert and E-W and NNW in Aswan Environs.It should be emphasized that fractures with higher density are more susceptible to earthquakes in the locations characterized by two dominant sets of fractures especially at their intersections.     

Deep structures in the Maritime Territory-Sea of Japan continental margin from seismic data

This paper discusses the results of interpreting seismic profiles on the Earth’s crust of the Maritime Territory and Sea of Japan performed during the 20th century by the Sakhalin Integrated Research Institute and by the Schmidt Joint Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences. The seismic profiles confirmed the presence of structural features under the Maritime Territory and the Sea of Japan that were revealed previously from geological data, such as spreading zones, rifts, deep-seated faults, overthrusts, and subduction zones, suggesting an active type of continental margin in the Far East region. We assumed that a high occurrence of the asthenospheric layer enclosing magmatic chambers explains the high activity of tectonic processes in the Far Eastern continental margin. The identified system of rifts and spreading centers supports this assumption.     

南海天然气水合物资源勘查战略接替区初步分析与预测

二十多年来,南海天然气水合物勘查评价均主要集中在南海北部大陆边缘陆坡深水区,且先后在珠江口盆地神狐、珠江口盆地东部海域调查区和琼东南盆地陵水-松南调查区取得了天然气水合物勘查试采的重大突破及进展,陆续发现了两个大规模的天然气水合物藏,初步评价预测南海天然气水合物资源规模达800亿吨油当量左右,取得了南海天然气水合物勘探的阶段性重大成果.然而,南海天然气水合物资源进一步深化和拓展勘探的有利领域在哪里？尤其是可持续滚动勘探的战略接替区及选区在何处？其与目前陆坡深水油气及水合物勘探紧密相邻的外陆坡-洋陆过渡带（OCT）乃至洋盆区是否具有天然气水合物形成的地质条件？根据海洋地质调查及初步的地质综合分析研究,认为外陆坡-洋陆过渡带乃至洋盆区具备天然气水合物成藏的基本地质条件,可作为南海未来天然气水合物勘查的战略接替区和可持续滚动勘探的战略选区及资源远景区.针对这些影响和决定将来天然气水合物勘探决策部署及走向等关键问题进行初步分析与探讨,抛砖引玉希望能够对未来南海天然气水合物资源勘查评价及战略接替区之选择有所裨益！      

Seismicity of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

The Sinai Peninsula has a triangular shape between the African and Arabian Plates and is bounded from the western and eastern borders by the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba–Dead Sea rift systems, respectively. It is affected by strong and destructive earthquakes (e.g., March 31, 1969 and November 22, 1995) and moderate earthquakes (m _b?>?5) throughout its history. After the installation of the Egyptian National Seismic Network (ENSN), a great number of earthquakes has been recorded within and around Sinai. Consequently, the seismogenic source zones and seismotectonic behavior can be clearly identified. Available data, including both historical and instrumental (1900–1997), have been collected from national and international data centers. While the data from 1998 till December 2007 are gathered from ENSN bulletins. The seismogenic source zones that might affect Sinai Peninsula are defined more precisely in this work depending on the distribution of earthquakes, seismicity rate (a value), b value, and fault plane solution of the major earthquakes. In addition, the type of faults prevailed and characterized these zones. It is concluded that the Gulf of Aqaba zone–Dead Sea transform zone, Gulf of Suez rift zone, Cairo–Suez District zone, and Eastern Mediterranean dislocation zone represent the major effective zones for Sinai. Furthermore, there are two local seismic zones passing through Sinai contributing to the earthquake activities of Sinai, these are the Negev shear zone and Central Sinai fault (Themed fault) zone. The source parameters, a and b values, and the maximum expected moment magnitude have been determined for each of these zones. These results will contribute to a great extent in the seismic hazard assessment and risk mitigation studies for Sinai Peninsula to protect the developmental projects.     

俄罗斯东部地区油气资源远景分析

俄罗斯东部地区油气资源十分丰富,而且远景储量巨大。其石油储量远景区主要圈定在东西伯利亚地区晚元古代-早古生代陆源碎屑岩-碳酸盐岩含油气盆地,远东地区中-新生代大陆架硅质岩含油气盆地和远东滨海坳陷中古新世-始新世杂砂岩含油气建造等。而且,远东地区含油气盆地的形成时代自西向东逐渐变年轻,具体由侏罗纪、白垩纪过渡为新生代。俄罗斯东部地区中-新生代煤层气盆地广布,其中最主要的煤层气盆地为勒拿河流域盆地和南雅库特盆地。煤层气的成因及分布特征主要受控于盆地的基本地质特征,即上覆、下伏地层层系和褶皱断裂构造、变质作用等。俄罗斯远东地区萨哈林大陆架、鄂霍茨克海以及白令海阿列乌特深水海盆中蕴藏大量的天然气水合物资源。天然气水合物中的甲烷一般被认为来自深部油气层,但也有专家认为它可能来自大陆架以外的深海海域。     

中国近海天然气水合物找矿前景

天然气水合物是一种新型能源，在海底沉积物和陆上永远冻土带中均有广泛分布。西太平洋是全球三大天然气水合物成矿带之一，在其中已发现许多水合物矿床或矿点。中国近海，包括南海、东海和台湾东部海域，具备良好的天然气水合物成矿条件和找矿前景，并已在这些海域中发现了一系列的找矿标志。南海的西沙海槽、台湾西南陆坡和台西南盆地、笔架南盆地及其东缘增生楔、东沙群岛东南坡、南部陆坡区，东海的冲绳海槽和台湾东北部海域是中国近海最有利的天然气水合物找矿远景区。     

南海神狐海域X区块天然气水合物的控制因素

为了探讨南海神狐海域X区块天然气水合物的控制因素,开展了高分辨地震资料精细解释和天然气水合物地震相研究。结果显示,X区块存在3条主控断层和众多滑塌断层;预测的稳定带内水合物呈多层分布,稳定带底部水合物层厚度较大、连续性较好。结合地震反射特征和可能的气源讨论初步认为,X区块天然气水合物的成藏模式主要有两种类型:在断裂或滑塌构造发育区,水合物的气源以热解成因气为主,水合物呈多层分布;在构造平缓地区,水合物的气源以生物成因气为主,水合物呈单层分布,且主要分布在似海底反射(BSR)之上一个狭窄的范围内。     

中国近海天然气水合物的研究进展

南海、东海具有形成天然气水合物的良好动力学环境和丰富的烃类气体来源。根据卫星对海面增温异常的观测、底水气体地球化学、标志矿物和流体组成的研究表明 ,南海、东海海底存在强烈的烃流体活动和排气作用 ;南海南北陆坡区海底气体主要由CH4组成 ,前者多为微生物成因气 ,后者多为热解气 ;冲绳海槽热液沉积区的气体 ,主要为CO2 (86 % ) ,其次为CH4、H2 、H2 S(14 % ) ,分别来自岩浆流体及陆源有机质的降解 ,也属热解成因气。地震地球物理的研究主要集中于南海东北部、北部、南部陆坡区和冲绳海槽中南部 ,测线长度还很有限 ,虽然都有BSR标志的发现 ,但质量比较好 ,研究程度也比较高的还只有南海东北部主动陆缘和北部被动陆缘的一些海域。通过沉积物烃含量和热释光的研究 ,南海、东海共获得 6个地球化学异常区。在综合对比物化探、地热等项资料的基础上初步认为 :笔架南 (Ⅰ )、台西南—东沙 (Ⅱ )异常区是寻找水合物的最佳远景区 ;琼东南—西沙海槽(Ⅲ )、中建南—中业北 (Ⅳ )和冲绳海槽南部异常区是寻找水合物和常规油气藏的有利地区 ,但Ⅳ区更有利于寻找油气 ,其余 2区更有利于寻找水合物 ;南沙海域的研究程度总体上比较低 ,但在其中的南沙海槽 ,物化探异常标志均优 ,甲烷含量较其它地区高 2个数量级     

古新世特提斯北缘前黑海地区盆地的演化与油气远景

本文以ＥＸＸＯＮ公司Ｐ．Ｒ．Ｖａｉｌ等人创立的层序地层学理论为准，对华南泥盆系的层序地层进行了区域上的研究、分析、对比。研究结果表明，从下泥盆统的洛赫科夫阶至上泥盆统的法门阶可识别出２０～２１个Ⅲ级层序。华南泥盆系的岩石地层、生物地层、年代地层的系、统、阶界线均已确定，与层序地层研究结果对比，生物地层界线均比相应的层序地层界线滞后。本文试图以层序地层序列为准，建立一新的地层系统作为相应的生物地层、年代地层的系、统、阶相对应的辅助性地层系统。研究结果表明，在岩石地层、生物地层、年代地层研究程度高的地区，可建立层序地层的系、统、阶界线系统以利于野外作业。华南地区的泥盆系内，除弗拉斯阶与法门阶的阶间界线置于饥饿层（ｓｔａｒｖｅｄｓｅｃｔｉｏｎ）外，其他的阶、统、系界线均位于有关阶（统）顶部层序中的ＨＳＴ的顶面。     

Investigations on Aral Sea Regressions from Mirabilite Deposits and Remote Sensing

Remote sensing techniques including radar (Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1 and Envisat) and laser altimetry (Icesat), and moderate resolution spectro-radiometer (MODIS) images, are used to estimated current level and surface extent time variations of the Aral Sea. During the Holocene several phases of regression occurred, leading to desiccation of the Aral Sea. During the last 50 years, Aral Sea has drastically shrunk due to intense use of river’s water for irrigation purposes. It is currently separated into four distinct water bodies, namely, the Small Aral in the North, the Tchebas Bay in the North West, and the South West and the South East basins. The Kulandy strait connected the SW and SE basins until very recent times. These basins are now almost separated and salinity becomes very high (140–180 g/l) in the Eastern part. Rubanov discovered past deposits of mirabilite in the years 1970–1980. We investigate the significance of these deposits in the light of current evolution of the four water bodies that constitute the heritage of Aral Sea contemporary desiccation. Using remote sensing techniques, we have attempted to calculate the water balance of south Aral Sea during the last 3 years. We conclude in strong probability that the Kulandy strait carries water most of the time from the Eastern Basin to the Western Basin. We have demonstrated that it should have been the same process in the past to explain the Mirabilite deposit, but unfortunately, due to recent artificial water monitoring of the Aral Sea (dam in the Berg’s strait, new reservoirs in the Amu Darya’s delta), it is impossible to make definitive conclusion from actual Aral Sea water balance.     

南海东北部陆坡天然气水合物多期次分解的沉积地球化学响应

南海地区天然气水合物资源丰富,针对其分解方式的研究有助于资源的开采.对南海东北部天然气水合物钻探区GMGS08站位岩心沉积物开展沉积学、地球化学分析研究.结果表明:该站位自上而下分布11层含自生碳酸盐岩和双壳碎屑层(其中6层呈粥状沉积)以及2层自生碳酸盐岩灰岩层;各层自生碳酸盐岩除一个样品δ13C值稍高(-38.85×10-3)外,其他的δ13C值介于-41.36×10-3~-56.74×10-3,均低于-40.00×10-3,δ18O值介于2.94×10-3~5.37×10-3,明显偏重,表明其为天然气水合物分解的产物,形成于微生物对甲烷的缺氧氧化作用,甲烷主要源自生物成因;各层自生碳酸盐岩层中的有机质碳同位素负偏明显,最低达-82.44×10-3,可能与微生物活动有关;根据自生碳酸盐岩的分布推断该站位至少发生过6次天然气水合物分解释放,每期次自生碳酸盐岩的差异说明其甲烷通量强弱不同.      

莺歌海盆地地层水的化学特征及其石油地质意义

4件水样取自南海写歌海盆地的东方1-1-1及东方1-1-2两口钻井中,两口井均位于该断陷盆地的中心,取样深度、层位及化学分析结果详见表1和表2。     

我国东海及邻近海域气体水合物可能的分布范围

由气体水合物稳定存在的温度-压力条件,根据我国东海及其邻近海域的海底温度、地壳热流和地温梯度的分布,指出了该海区气体水合物可能的分布范围。主要在东海陆坡即冲绳海槽的西坡、冲绳海槽的东坡、和琉球海沟的西坡、琉球海沟和菲律宾海盆。分析指出,目前并不能肯定东海陆架区不存在气体水合物稳定存在的区域。由于冲绳海槽的热流值较高,特别是冲绳海槽的中部轴区,那里有较高的地温梯度,因而,海槽两坡的气体水合物主要分布在南部冲绳海槽.     

Fluid-Controlling Significance of the Nosappu Fracture Zone and Conditions for the Formation of Methane Fluxes and Gas Hydrates (Sea of Okhotsk Region)

It has been observed that the intensity of underwater gas flares unexpectedly increased after the deep-focus (625.9 km) earthquake that occurred in the Sea of Okhotsk on August 14, 2012. In this regard, we have analyzed the data resulting from interpretation of the focal mechanism for the strike-slip earthquakes which occurred in the Benioff seismic zone of the subducting Pacific Plate within the Sea of Okhotsk region over the period from 1977 to 2010. The NNW sinistral and NE dextral faults are found to form a conjugate system due to the WNW stress field. We have established that the dextral faults are mostly common at a depth of about 200 km along the Kuril Islands extension, while the sinistral ones are concentrated in the Nosappu Fracture Zone and traced to the NNW down to a depth of 680 km. The area of the gas flare discharge and gas hydrate accumulations have the same (NNW) direction. Thus, we have revealed that the Nosappu Fracture Zone appears to be a structure which controls fluid fluxes, providing permeability of the subducting slab of the Pacific Plate for ascending fluids from the lower mantle.     

东地中海原型盆地演化

东地中海经历了伸展-聚敛的构造演化旋回,聚集了丰富的油气资源。基于2D地震、ODP Leg160、IHS及Tellus商业数据库和公开发表的文献资料,本文在建立东地中海及周缘构造-地层格架的基础上,恢复了东地中海12个关键地质历史时期的原型盆地,并以板块构造为切入点探讨了盆地演化机制。东地中海及周缘上三叠统以来地层可划分为新特提斯被动大陆边缘陆地及浅水区、新特提斯被动大陆边缘深水区和塞浦路斯弧前褶皱区3个地层分区,前两个地层分区均发育一套裂谷-被动大陆边缘层系,但是二者的岩相特征和不整合发育有明显的差异,而塞浦路斯弧前褶皱区发育一套大洋盆地-弧前盆地层系。研究认为东地中海经历了二叠纪—早侏罗世裂解期、中侏罗世巴柔期—晚白垩世土伦期漂移期和晚白垩世森诺期以来的汇聚改造期3个原型阶段,其中汇聚改造期又可细分为晚白垩世森诺期“双俯冲带”消减期、古近纪北部俯冲-碰撞期、中新世塞浦路斯岛弧带南侧俯冲-碰撞与黎凡特边缘活化期和中新世梅西期以来“弧-山碰撞”与“走滑逃逸”期4个阶段。东地中海盆地演化受控于图哈罗德-安纳托利亚板块以及凯里尼亚、特罗多斯和埃拉托色尼等微板块与冈瓦纳大陆北缘的分离、向北的漂移和与欧亚大陆汇聚拼贴的板块构造活动。     

南海东沙西南海域冷泉碳酸盐岩特征及其意义

海底冷泉流体或自生碳酸盐沉积可为碳氢化合物(主要指常规油气或天然气水合物)、冷泉生物群落的调查和研究提供有利线索。对东沙群岛海区、神狐海区和ODP184-1146钻孔碳酸盐沉积的特征进行了对比和研究,结果表明这些海区碳酸盐岩的岩性特征、碳氧同位素组成等存在明显差异。东沙群岛海区和神狐海区的碳酸盐岩的化学成分如TFe、A l2O3、TiO2、K2O、Na2O、MnO、P2O5等不同,表明它们可能分别受到了粘土矿物和铁锰氧化物影响。在神狐海区至少发生了一次冷泉流体活动,形成了早晚两期冷泉碳酸盐岩,而在东沙群岛海区发生了至少3次冷泉流体活动,形成了多期冷泉碳酸盐岩,反映了这两个海区碳酸盐沉积的甲烷成因不同,且形成环境也受不同的因素控制。研究揭示,在东沙群岛南部海区可能发育热成因甲烷汇聚的天然气水合物,其海底可能存在冷泉生物群落,这为东沙西南海域天然气水合物和冷泉生物群落的进一步寻找和研究提供了新思路。     

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。