Mass-transport deposits and gas hydrate occurrences in the Ulleung Basin,East Sea – Part 2: Gas hydrate content and fracture-induced anisotropy

Mass-transport-deposits (MTDs) and hemipelagic mud interbedded with sandy turbidites are the main sedimentary facies in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, offshore Korea. The MTDs show similar seismic reflection characteristics to gas-hydrate-bearing sediments such as regional seismic blanking (absence of internal reflectivity) and a polarity reversed base-reflection identical to the bottom-simulating reflector (BSR). Drilling in 2007 in the Ulleung Basin recovered sediments within the MTDs that exhibit elevated electrical resistivity and P-wave velocity, similar to gas hydrate-bearing sediments. In contrast, hemipelagic mud intercalated with sandy turbidites has much higher porosity and correspondingly lower electrical resistivity and P-wave velocity.At drill-site UBGH1-4 the bottom half of one prominent MTD unit shows two bands of parallel fractures on the resistivity log-images indicating a common dip-azimuth direction of about ∼230° (strike of ∼140°). This strike-direction is perpendicular to the seismically defined flow-path of the MTD to the north-east. At Site UBGH1-14, the log-data suggest two zones with preferred fracture orientations (top: ∼250°, bottom: ∼130°), indicating flow-directions to the north-east for the top zone, and north-west for the bottom zone. The fracture patterns may indicate post-depositional sedimentation that gave rise to a preferred fracturing possibly linked to dewatering pathways. Alternatively, fractures may be related to the formation of pressure-ridges common within MTD units.For the interval of observed MTD units, the resistivity and P-wave velocity log-data yield gas hydrate concentrations up to ∼10% at Site UBGH1-4 and ∼25% at Site UBGH1-14 calculated using traditional isotropic theories such as Archie's law or effective medium modeling. However, accounting for anisotropic effects in the calculation to honor observed fracture patterns, the gas hydrate concentration is overall reduced to less than 5%. In contrast, gas hydrate was recovered at Site UBGH1-4 near the base of gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). Log-data predict gas hydrate concentrations of 10–15% over an interval of 25 m above the base of GHSZ. The sediments of this interval are comprised of the hemipelagic mud and interbedded thin sandy turbidites, which did contain pore-filling gas hydrate as identified from pore-water freshening and core infra-red imaging. Seismically, this unit reveals a coherent parallel bedding character but has overall faint reflection amplitude. This gas-hydrate-bearing interval can be best mapped using a combination of regular seismic amplitude and seismic attributes such as Shale indicator, Parallel-bedding indicator, and Thin-bed indicator.     

Acoustic wave attenuation in the gas hydrate-bearing sediments of Well GC955H,Gulf of Mexico

A better understanding of wave attenuation in hydrate-bearing sediments is necessary for the improved geophysical quantification of marine gas hydrates. Here we compare the attenuation behavior of hydrate-saturated vs water-saturated sediments at site GC955H, in the Gulf of Mexico, which was surveyed during the JIP Leg II expedition. We compute the P-wave attenuation of the gas hydrate bearing sediments using the median frequency shift method on the monopole waveforms. The results show that P-wave attenuation due to low saturation (<?0.4) in hydrate-filled fractures of fine-grained sediment is comparable to that of the water-filled fracture case. On the contrary, P-wave attenuation due to high saturation (>?0.4) in the hydrate-filled pores of coarse-grained sediments can be up to as much as three times more than that of the water-saturated case. The correlation analysis shows that the P-wave attenuation increases with the increasing gas hydrate saturation for the highly saturated gas hydrate-bearing sand interval while the correlation of the P-wave attenuation and hydrate saturation is weak for low saturated gas hydrate-bearing shale interval. The results show that P-wave attenuation is more likely to be used as a geophysical proxy for gas hydrate quantification of highly concentrated coarse-grained sediment rather than for that of fine-grained sediment. To examine the P-wave behavior in sand, we use the improved LCAM model, which accounts for physical factors such as grain boundary roughness and squirt flow to explain the observed differences in P-wave attenuation between hydrate and water-saturated coarse-grained sediment. Our results provide further geophysical evidences for P-wave behavior in the gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the field.     

Deep-lacustrine sandy debrites and turbidites in the lower Triassic Yanchang Formation,southeast Ordos Basin,central China: Facies distribution and reservoir quality

The deep lacustrine gravity-flow deposits are widely developed in the lower Triassic Yanchang Formation, southeast Ordos Basin, central China. Three lithofacies include massive fine-grained sandstone, banded sandstone, and massive oil shale and mudstone. The massive fine-grained sandstones have sharp upper contacts, mud clasts, boxed-shaped Gamma Ray (GR) log, but no grading and Bouma sequences. In contrast, the banded sandstones display different bedding characteristics, gradational upper contacts, and fine-upward. The massive, fine-grained sandstones recognized in this study are sandy debrites deposited by sandy debris flows, while the banded sandstones are turbidites deposited by turbidity currents not bottom currents. The sediment source for these deep gravity-flow sediments is a sand-rich delta system prograding at the basin margin. Fabric of the debrites in the sandy debris fields indicates initial formation from slope failure caused by the tectonic movement. As the sandy debris flows became diluted by water and clay, they became turbidity currents. The deep lacustrine depositional model is different from the traditional marine fan or turbidite fan models. There are no channels or wide lobate sand bodies. In the lower Triassic Yanchang Formation, layers within the sandy debrites have higher porosity (8–14%) and permeability (0.1–4 mD) than the turbidites with lower porosity (3–8%) and permeability (0.04–1 mD). Consequently, only the sandy debrites constitute potential petroleum reservoir intervals. Results of this study may serve as a model for hydrocarbon exploration and production for deep-lacustrine reservoirs from gravity-flow systems in similar lacustrine depositional environments.     

神狐海域海底峡谷群脊部细粒浊积体分布范围及意义

利用广州海洋地质调查局在南海北部神狐钻探区采集的高分辨率地震数据,结合2007年第一次水合物钻探航次(GMGS01)获取的岩心资料,从宏观地震反射结构、微观岩心粒度特征两个方面对GMGS01区块内残留在峡谷群脊部的细粒浊积体进行特征识别和刻画。研究结果显示,似海底反射(bottom simulating reflectors,BSR)之上存在着2套特征不同的沉积单元,位于下部的沉积单元1表现为薄层杂乱透镜状的地震反射特征,对应于粒度C-M图版中与C=M基线近似平行的含水合物层段的样品,被解释为峡谷群脊部的细粒浊积体。选取穿过神狐海域峡谷群中第16条海底峡谷的8条测线为研究对象,能够揭示沉积单元1(细粒浊积体)自北向南的空间变化特征,从而进行分布范围的确定。神狐海域沉积过程分析表明,峡谷群脊部的细粒浊积体是北部小型水道侵蚀下伏沉积物并发生再搬运和再沉积的结果。利用区域性覆盖的二维地震资料,本次研究确定了小型水道的北部侵蚀边界。综合GMGS01区块细粒浊积体的地震反射特征、穿过神狐海域东部第16号海底峡谷自北向南的地震反射差异、研究区北部小型水道的侵蚀边界,本次研究利用两点确定一线和相似平行的方法,在整个神狐海域初步确定了峡谷群脊部细粒浊积体的分布范围。细粒浊积体沉积边界的识别,将为从深水沉积的角度探讨神狐海域水合物不均匀性分布提供依据,同时也能进一步揭示该区域峡谷群脊部水合物的成藏机制和富集规律。     

Gas hydrate identified in sand-rich inferred sedimentary section using downhole logging and seismic data in Shenhu area,South China Sea

Downhole wireline log (DWL) data was acquired from eight drill sites during China's first gas hydrate drilling expedition (GMGS-1) in 2007. Initial analyses of the acquired well log data suggested that there were no significant gas hydrate occurrences at Site SH4. However, the re-examination of the DWL data from Site SH4 indicated that there are two intervals of high resistivity, which could be indicative of gas hydrate. One interval of high resistivity at depth of 171–175 m below seafloor (mbsf) is associated with a high compressional- wave (P-wave) velocities and low gamma ray log values, which suggests the presence of gas hydrate in a potentially sand-rich (low clay content) sedimentary section. The second high resistivity interval at depth of 175–180 mbsf is associated with low P-wave velocities and low gamma values, which suggests the presence of free gas in a potentially sand-rich (low clay content) sedimentary section. Because the occurrence of free gas is much shallower than the expected from the regional depth of the bottom simulating reflector (BSR), the free gas could be from the dissociation of gas hydrate during drilling or there may be a local anomaly in the depth to the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. In order to determine whether the low P-wave velocity with high resistivity is caused by in-situ free gas or dissociated free gas from the gas hydrate, the surface seismic data were also used in this analysis. The log analysis incorporating the surface seismic data through the construction of synthetic seismograms using various models indicated the presence of free gas directly in contact with an overlying gas hydrate-bearing section. The occurrence of the anomalous base of gas hydrate stability at Site SH4 could be caused by a local heat flow conditions. This paper documents the first observation of gas hydrate in what is believed to be a sand-rich sediment in Shenhu area of the South China Sea.     

瞬态压力脉冲法及其在松散含水合物沉积物中的应用

含水合物沉积物渗透率是水合物开采相关工作的基础参数之一。稳态法在应用于渗透率较低的多孔介质时存在着稳定渗流难和试验耗时长等缺点。目前,含水合物细颗粒沉积物渗透率试验数据积累明显不足。本文首先介绍了瞬态压力脉冲法的基本原理及数据处理方法,然后以模拟试验验证了瞬态压力脉冲法的适用性,最后探讨了该方法在松散含水合物沉积物渗透率测量方面的应用效果。结果表明：瞬态压力脉冲法近似解处理粉细砂沉积物试验数据效果较好,而处理黏土沉积物试验数据存在明显误差,建议采用数值模拟反演分析的方法处理瞬态压力脉冲法试验数据;瞬态压力脉冲法适用于松散沉积物渗透率测量,在含水合物沉积物渗透率试验研究方面具有潜在的应用前景。     

Gas hydrate decomposition recorded by authigenic barite at pockmark sites of the northern Congo Fan

The geochemical cycling of barium was investigated in sediments of pockmarks of the northern Congo Fan, characterized by surface and subsurface gas hydrates, chemosynthetic fauna, and authigenic carbonates. Two gravity cores retrieved from the so-called Hydrate Hole and Worm Hole pockmarks were examined using high-resolution pore-water and solid-phase analyses. The results indicate that, although gas hydrates in the study area are stable with respect to pressure and temperature, they are and have been subject to dissolution due to methane-undersaturated pore waters. The process significantly driving dissolution is the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) above the shallowest hydrate-bearing sediment layer. It is suggested that episodic seep events temporarily increase the upward flux of methane, and induce hydrate formation close to the sediment surface. AOM establishes at a sediment depth where the upward flux of methane from the uppermost hydrate layer counterbalances the downward flux of seawater sulfate. After seepage ceases, AOM continues to consume methane at the sulfate/methane transition (SMT) above the hydrates, thereby driving the progressive dissolution of the hydrates “from above”. As a result the SMT migrates downward, leaving behind enrichments of authigenic barite and carbonates that typically precipitate at this biogeochemical reaction front. Calculation of the time needed to produce the observed solid-phase barium enrichments above the present-day depths of the SMT served to track the net downward migration of the SMT and to estimate the total time of hydrate dissolution in the recovered sediments. Methane fluxes were higher, and the SMT was located closer to the sediment surface in the past at both sites. Active seepage and hydrate formation are inferred to have occurred only a few thousands of years ago at the Hydrate Hole site. By contrast, AOM-driven hydrate dissolution as a consequence of an overall net decrease in upward methane flux seems to have persisted for a considerably longer time at the Worm Hole site, amounting to a few tens of thousands of years.     

High-frequency near-bottom acoustic reflection signatures of hydrocarbon seeps on the Northern Gulf of Mexico continental slope

Acoustic reflection signatures of four hydro-carbon seeps were classified using near-bottom 25-kHz echosounder profiles. Echo patterns were compared with ground-truth data obtained by submersible observations and shallow coring. Six echo types were distinguished: strong reflections from (1)?exposed or (2)?buried hard substrates, such as authigenic carbonate or gas hydrate; acoustic scattering in (3)?unlayered or (4)?layered sediments owing to gas, shells, or disseminated carbonates; (5)?attenuation caused by gas; and (6)?undisturbed sediments. Echo type distributions suggest that high spatial variability indicates a younger, vigorous seep, whereas extensive hard substrate implies an older, encrusted seep.     

南海北部水道活动引起的不同类型滑塌体对应的水合物赋存模式

2015~2016年在神狐新钻探区钻遇大量水合物岩心,证实南海北部神狐新钻探区具有较好的水合物成藏环境和勘探前景。结合2008~2009年该区采集的地震资料,我们对晚中新世以来细粒峡谷的沉积特征及其相应的水合物成藏模式进行了分析。通过对大量地震剖面进行解释,发现该区峡谷两侧的隆起上发育大量的滑塌体。本文通过岩心粒度分析,地震相识别分析和水合物测井响应分析等手段综合识别出对水合物成藏有控制作用的三种类型的滑塌体：原生滑塌体、峡谷切割滑塌体、和同生断裂滑塌体。结合沉积速率、流体流速分析和峡谷迁移等沉积学要素对滑塌体成因进行分析,认为峡谷切割滑塌体由于后期峡谷迁移对前期滑塌体切割形成的、同生断裂滑塌体是由于隆起区基底不平引起差异性沉降而形成的。不同类型的滑塌体发育位置不同：原生滑塌体常发育在隆起中坡度较缓的区域、峡谷切割成因滑塌体常发育在不定向迁移的峡谷两侧、同生断裂滑塌体常发育在隆起中坡度起伏较大的区域。三种类型滑塌及其相应的水合物成藏模式不同,其中原生滑塌体有利于水合物成藏,而另外两种类型的滑塌体由于其不能对自由气进行有效封堵而不利于水合物成藏。根据三种滑塌体对水合物成藏的响应指出在粗粒的含有孔虫粉砂岩储层上,覆盖细粒的泥岩对自由气进行封堵有利于水合物成藏,并且多层的泥岩覆盖是造成水合物稳定带中水合物多个分层成矿现象出现的原因。     

Sediment mounds and other sedimentary features related to hydrate occurrences in a columnar seismic blanking zone of the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Korea

A mound related to a cold vent in a columnar seismic blanking zone (CSBZ) was formed around site UBGH1-10 in the central Ulleung Basin (2077 m water depth), East Sea, Korea. The mound is 300–400 m wide and 2–3 m high according to multi-beam bathymetry, 2–7 kHz sub-bottom profiler data, and multi-channel reflection seismic data. Seafloor topography and characteristics were investigated using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) around site UBGH1-10, which is located near the northern part of the mound. The origin of the mound was investigated through lithology, mineralogy, hydrate occurrence, and sedimentary features using dive cores, piston cores, and a deep-drilling core. The CSBZ extends to ∼265 ms two-way traveltime (TWT) below the seafloor within a mass-transport deposit (MTD) unit. Gas hydrate was entirely contained 6–141 m below the seafloor (mbsf) within hemipelagic deposits intercalated with a fine-grained turbidite (HTD) unit, characteristically associated with high resistivity values at site UBGH1-10. The hydrate is commonly characterized by veins, nodules, and massive types, and is found within muddy sediments as a fracture-filling type. Methane has been produced by microbial reduction of CO₂, as indicated by C₁/C₂₊, δ¹³CCH4, and δD₄CH analyses. The bowl-shaped hydrate cap revealed at 20–45 ms TWT below the seafloor has very high resistivity and high salinity, suggesting rapid and recent gas hydrate formation. The origin of the sediment mound is interpreted as a topographic high formed by the expansion associated with the formation of the gas hydrate cap above the CSBZ. The lower sedimentation rate of the mound sediments may be due to local enhancement of bottom currents by topographic effects. In addition, no evidence of gas bubbles, chemosynthetic communities, or bacterial mats was observed in the mound, suggesting an inactive cold vent.     

Low-amplitude BSRs and gas hydrate concentration on the northern margin of the South China Sea

The passive northern continental margin of the South China Sea is rich in gas hydrates, as inferred from the occurrence of bottom-simulating reflectors (BSR) and from well logging data at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) drill sites. Nonetheless, BSRs on new 2D multichannel seismic reflection data from the area around the Dongsha Islands (the Dongsha Rise) are not ubiquitous. They are confined to complex diapiric structures and active fault zones located between the Dongsha Rise and the surrounding depressions, implying that gas hydrate occurrence is likewise limited to these areas. Most of the BSRs have low amplitude and are therefore not clearly recognizable. Acoustic impedance provides information on rock properties and has been used to estimate gas hydrate concentration. Gas hydrate-bearing sediments have acoustic impedance that is higher than that of the surrounding sediments devoid of hydrates. Based on well logging data, the relationship between acoustic impedance and porosity can be obtained by a linear regression, and the degree of gas hydrate saturation can be determined using Archie’s equation. By applying these methods to multichannel seismic data and well logging data from the northern South China Sea, the gas hydrate concentration is found to be 3–25% of the pore space at ODP Site 1148 depending on sub-surface depth, and is estimated to be less than values of 5% estimated along seismic profile 0101. Our results suggest that saturation of gas hydrate in the northern South China Sea is higher than that estimated from well resistivity log data in the gas hydrate stability zone, but that free gas is scarce beneath this zone. It is probably the scarcity of free gas that is responsible for the low amplitudes of the BSRs.     

含水合物沉积物电阻率演化规律实验研究进展

电阻率对沉积物组成和微观结构具有极高敏感性,是反映水合物生成分解过程物性演化的重要参数。然而由于影响因素复杂,人们对电阻率随CH4水合物生成分解的演化规律仍不清楚。对含CH4水合物沉积物的电阻率实验研究进展进行了梳理,分析了电阻率的主要影响因素,总结了纯水、盐水、非饱和水等不同体系中水合物生成分解过程电阻率演化规律。研究认为,在纯水沉积物中,电阻率随着水合物的生成不断增大;在盐水沉积物中,成核阶段的排盐效应以及生长阶段的重结晶或Ostwald熟化现象都会导致沉积物电阻率的降低;对非饱和水沉积物,气体和水在重力、毛细管力作用下、孔隙溶液离子在渗透和扩散作用下,都对沉积物电阻率造成影响。基于上述分析,提出了水合物生成过程模型,探讨了电学特性实验研究未来发展方向,对水合物电学研究具有一定的参考意义。     

Unique problems associated with seismic analysis of partially gas-saturated unconsolidated sediments

Gas hydrate stability conditions restrict the occurrence of gas hydrate to unconsolidated and high water-content sediments at shallow depths. Because of these host sediments properties, seismic and well log data acquired for the detection of free gas and associated gas hydrate-bearing sediments often require nonconventional analysis. For example, a conventional method of identifying free gas using the compressional/shear-wave velocity (V_p/V_s) ratio at the logging frequency will not work, unless the free-gas saturations are more than about 40%. The P-wave velocity dispersion of partially gas-saturated sediments causes a problem in interpreting well log velocities and seismic data. Using the White, J.E. [1975. Computed seismic speeds and attenuation in rocks with partial gas saturation. Geophysics 40, 224–232] model for partially gas-saturated sediments, the difference between well log and seismic velocities can be reconciled. The inclusion of P-wave velocity dispersion in interpreting well log data is, therefore, essential to identify free gas and to tie surface seismic data to synthetic seismograms.     

An approach to estimate gas hydrate saturation from 3-D heterogeneous resistivity model: A study from Krishna-Godavari basin,Eastern Indian offshore

A method is proposed to estimate gas hydrate saturation from three dimensional (3-D) heterogeneous model of resistivity simulated using resistivity log. Pure gas hydrates are highly resistive compared to the host sediments, and their presence in the pore space of sediments increase the resistivity of the formation. The anomalous increase of resistivity is used as a proxy for the delineation of gas hydrates using the resistivity log. A 3-D heterogeneous resistivity model has been constructed from one dimensional resistivity log in Krishna Godavari (KG) basin, eastern Indian offshore. The simulated model contains all small scale variation in resistivity of the reservoir and maintains all properties associated with covariance, like root mean square fluctuation, characteristic scales and fractal dimension of the observed log. We have estimated volumetric hydrate saturation using the three dimensional simulated model. The porosity used for estimating hydrate saturation is calculated from the simulated density field generated using the observed density log. Estimated average gas hydrate saturation is about 9.84% of the pore volume over a 1000 m × 1000 m x 131 m cubic meters area.     

Analysis of the Black Sea sediments by evaluating DSDP Leg 42B drilling data for gas hydrate potential

Many gas seepages, temperature, pressure, salinity, anoxic environment and high source gas potential of the Black Sea indicates that the Black Sea might have huge potentials for biogenic and thermogenic gas hydrates. However, the last important parameter to consider gas hydrate as an energy source is the type of sediments. Coarse marine sands are considered as good hydrate reservoirs because of high porosity and high permeability. Only very limited data is available related to the types of lithology of the Black Sea sediments. Hence, in this study, the literature data (especially the drilling and coring data of DSDP Leg 42B program) about gas seepages, temperature gradient, pressure gradient, salinity, anoxic environment and high source gas potential, and the types of the sediments in the Black Sea were investigated and analyzed. Although gas seepages, temperature gradient, pressure gradient, salinity, anoxic environment and high source gas potential of the Black Sea are appropriate for producible gas hydrate reservoirs, the sediments of the Black Sea appear to be generally fine grained with high clay content. Sandy-silt and silty sand layers in turbidites of the Black Sea might be potential producible hydrate reservoirs but these sediments are fine. As well as turbidites, separate thin sand layers might be potential gas hydrate reservoirs as an energy source in the Black Sea.     

High-frequency near-bottom acoustic reflection signatures of hydrocarbon seeps on the Northern Gulf of Mexico continental slope

 Acoustic reflection signatures of four hydro-carbon seeps were classified using near-bottom 25-kHz echosounder profiles. Echo patterns were compared with ground-truth data obtained by submersible observations and shallow coring. Six echo types were distinguished: strong reflections from (1) exposed or (2) buried hard substrates, such as authigenic carbonate or gas hydrate; acoustic scattering in (3) unlayered or (4) layered sediments owing to gas, shells, or disseminated carbonates; (5) attenuation caused by gas; and (6) undisturbed sediments. Echo type distributions suggest that high spatial variability indicates a younger, vigorous seep, whereas extensive hard substrate implies an older, encrusted seep. Received: 29 May 1998 / Revision received: 7 October 1998     

Amplitude blanking related to the pore-filling of gas hydrate in sediments

Seismic indicators of gas-hydrate-bearing sediments include elevated interval velocities and amplitude reduction of seismic reflections owing to the presence of gas hydrate in the sediment's pore spaces. However, large amplitude blanking with relatively low interval velocities observed at the Blake Ridge has been enigmatic because realistic seismic models were absent to explain the observation. This study proposes models in which the gas hydrate concentrations vary in proportion to the porosity. Where gas hydrate concentrations are greater in more porous media, a significant amplitude blanking can be achieved with relatively low interval velocity. Depending on the amount of gas hydrate concentration in the pore space, reflection amplitudes from hydrate-bearing sediments can be much less, less or greater than those from corresponding non-hydrate-bearing sediments. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High-resolution well-log derived dielectric properties of gas-hydrate-bearing sediments, Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well, Alaska North Slope

A dielectric logging tool, electromagnetic propagation tool (EPT), was deployed in 2007 in the BPXA-DOE-USGS Mount Elbert Gas Hydrate Stratigraphic Test Well (Mount Elbert Well), North Slope, Alaska. The measured dielectric properties in the Mount Elbert well, combined with density log measurements, result in a vertical high-resolution (cm-scale) estimate of gas hydrate saturation. Two hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs about 20 m thick were identified using the EPT log and exhibited gas-hydrate saturation estimates ranging from 45% to 85%. In hydrate-bearing zones where variation of hole size and oil-based mud invasion are minimal, EPT-based gas hydrate saturation estimates on average agree well with lower vertical resolution estimates from the nuclear magnetic resonance logs; however, saturation and porosity estimates based on EPT logs are not reliable in intervals with substantial variations in borehole diameter and oil-based invasion.EPT log interpretation reveals many thin-bedded layers at various depths, both above and below the thick continuous hydrate occurrences, which range from 30-cm to about 1-m thick. Such thin layers are not indicated in other well logs, or from the visual observation of core, with the exception of the image log recorded by the oil-base microimager. We also observe that EPT dielectric measurements can be used to accurately detect fine-scale changes in lithology and pore fluid properties of hydrate-bearing sediments where variation of hole size is minimal. EPT measurements may thus provide high-resolution in-situ hydrate saturation estimates for comparison and calibration with laboratory analysis.     

含水合物沉积物相对渗透率研究进展

气-水相对渗透率是天然气水合物现场试采的关键参数。如何测量和评估储层相对渗透率是提高产气效率、实现天然气水合物产业化需要解决的基础问题。从含水合物沉积物相对渗透率的实验测试、数值模拟和模型建立3个方面,总结了含水合物沉积物相对渗透率的研究进展,研究发现,现有含水合物沉积物实验测试大多采用非稳态法,相对渗透率曲线图显示：在同一含水饱和度下,水合物饱和度越大,水的相对渗透率越小,气的相对渗透率变化规律较为复杂;水合物饱和度的变化改变了沉积物的孔隙空间结构,进而影响气-水相对渗透率。数值模拟大多利用孔隙网络模型或持水曲线进行相对渗透率计算,探索水合物生长习性、孔隙赋存特征,并揭示颗粒尺寸、水合物饱和度、润湿性、表面张力等不同因素对气-水相对渗透率的影响差异。梳理多种相对渗透率模型,发现新近提出的考虑毛细作用和孔径分布的含水合物介质相对渗透率模型在模拟含水合物沉积物中的多相流以及解释水合物饱和度的变化方面具有优势。建议下一步克服该模型计算成本较高的缺陷,实现含水合物沉积物多相流物理精确建模。     

南海神狐海域含水合物层底栖有孔虫群落结构与同位素组成

为评价水合物甲烷对底栖有孔虫群落结构和同位素的影响,对南海北部神狐海域获取天然气水合物的钻孔BY3岩心,进行底栖有孔虫群落结构和稳定同位素分析,发现含水合物层底栖有孔虫丰度、分异度下降,群落中以内生种占绝对优势,有孔虫破碎率增加;与不含水合物层中的底栖有孔虫相比,含水合物层的底栖有孔虫碳同位素值出现较明显的负偏移。含水合物层中的Uvigerinaspp.、Cibicidesspp.和Oridorsalisspp.的δ13C平均值分别为-1.61‰、-0.79‰和-1.80‰,而在不含水合物层它们的δ13C平均值分别为-0.88‰、-0.27‰和-1.04‰;其中Uvigerinaspp.和Oridorsalisspp.的δ13C最轻值均出现在含水合物层,分别为-1.83‰和-2.29‰。这些说明底栖有孔虫在生长和埋藏过程中可能受到沉积物中甲烷水合物形成和演化的影响。