Seismic quality factors across a bottom simulating reflector in the Makran Accretionary Prism, Arabian Sea

The hydrate-bearing sediments above the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) are associated with low attenuation or high quality factor (Q), whereas underlying gas-bearing sediments exhibit high attenuation. Hence, estimation of Q can be important for qualifying whether a BSR is related to gas hydrates and free-gas. This property is also useful for identifying gas hydrates where detection of BSR is dubious. Here, we calculate the interval Q for three submarine sedimentary layers bounded by seafloor, BSR, one reflector above and another reflector below the BSR at three locations with moderate, strong and no BSR along a seismic line in the Makran accretionary prism, Arabian Sea for studying attenuation (Q⁻¹) characteristics of sediments. Interval Q for hydrate-bearing sediments (layer B) above the BSR are estimated as 191 ± 11, 223 ± 12, and 117 ± 5, whereas interval Q for the underlying gas-bearing sediments (layer C) are calculated as 112 ± 7, 107 ± 8 and 124 ± 11 at moderate, strong and no BSR locations, respectively. The large variation in Q is observed at strong BSR. Thus Q can be used for ascertaining whether the observed BSR is due to gas hydrates, and for identifying gas hydrates at places where detection of BSR is rather doubtful. Interval Q of 98 ± 4, 108 ± 5, and 102 ± 5, respectively, at moderate, strong and no BSR locations for the layer immediately beneath the seafloor (layer A) show almost uniform attenuation.     

Physical and Acoustic Properties of Gas-bearing Sediments in Jinhae Bay,the South Sea of Korea

High-resolution seismic survey and sediment core sampling were conducted to investigate acoustic characteristics of gas-bearing sediments in Jinhae Bay, the southeast of Korea. The sediment in Jinhae Bay is mostly homogenous mud deposited after the Holocene transgression. Along with the 410 km of chirp seismic profiling, five piston core samples were collected on the track lines.

Gassy sediments are common and occur widely in the bay. Core samples were analyzed for sediment texture, physical properties (porosity, water content, bulk density, and grain density), acoustic properties (compressional wave velocity and attenuation), and electrical resistivity. X-radiograph image analysis was also performed to observe the shape of degassing cracks. There is no significant downcore variation on physical and sediment textures regardless of existence of gas bubbles. However, compressional wave velocity dramatically decreases from average 1480 to 1380～739 m/s for the cores that penetrate the gas-bearing zones. This is probably due to degassying cracks that developed by escaping gases and free gas bubbles that are still trapped in the cores. Electrical resistivity is the only geotechnical property that increases in the gas-bearing zone where compressional wave velocity abruptly decreases. This indicates the possibility of using both electrical resistivity as an index variable as well as to compressional wave velocity to identify gassy sediment microstructure because there are little changes in texture and composition of sediment.     

Shallow gas features in the Galician Rías Baixas (NW Spain)

Areas with gas accumulations and gas escapes have been mapped in two rías from Galicia (Ría de Pontevedra and Arousa) and compared with already published data from the Rías de Vigo (García-Gil et al. 2002) and Muros-Noia (Magariños-Álvarez et al. accepted). Calculations indicate different areas of gas-bearing sediments for each ría. Quantitative data from acoustic plume studies and pockmark densities in the seepage areas were also obtained. In terms of the area of gas-bearing sediment and seeping activity, the Ría de Arousa is found to be the most important from a quantitative point of view. Comparison of the locations of the gas accumulations with grain size distributions of sediments reveals a spatial coincidence with finer surface sediments that are mainly muds.     

Gas accumulations and their association with particle size distribution patterns in the Ría de Arousa seabed (Galicia, NW Spain): an application of discriminant analysis

Gassy sediments in the Ría de Arousa are preferentially distributed in areas of muddy seabed sediments. The close relationship between seabed sediment parameters and gas distribution is here studied in detail to establish better constraints on the presence of gas. Discriminant analysis was applied to the textural and compositional characteristics of 303 seabed sediment samples to classify gas-related and gas-free areas in the Ría de Arousa. The parameters considered in the classification were: particle size data (percentages of clay, silt, sand and gravel), the total inorganic carbon and the total organic carbon contents of the samples. The samples were initially classified in two groups according to the presence or absence of acoustic turbidity in the seismic profiles, shallower than 150 cm below seabed. Of the total known cases, 85.5% were correctly classified using these variables. Applying the Wilks’ lambda criterion, the most influential textural discriminating variables were the percentage of clay and the percentage of coarse fraction (gravel and sand) in the sediment sample. Discriminant analysis has achieved good differentiation between gas-related and gas-free sediments using near-seabed sediment information. The application of the discriminant method has enabled the estimation of the total area covered by gassy sediments in the Ría de Arousa. The area calculated based on the seismic data (30 km²) is a minimum estimate that is constrained by the limits of the existing seismic data. Based on the sediment information obtained from seabed samples, the statistical method estimates a total area of gassy sediments of 39 km². The new gassy areas recognized are located around the gas field at the inner ría, and the gas field west of Arousa Island, which increase in area by 8.3 and 0.4 km² respectively.     

Seismic quality factors across a bottom simulating reflector in the Makran Accretionary Prism,Arabian Sea

The hydrate-bearing sediments above the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) are associated with low attenuation or high quality factor (Q), whereas underlying gas-bearing sediments exhibit high attenuation. Hence, estimation of Q can be important for qualifying whether a BSR is related to gas hydrates and free-gas. This property is also useful for identifying gas hydrates where detection of BSR is dubious. Here, we calculate the interval Q for three submarine sedimentary layers bounded by seafloor, BSR, one reflector above and another reflector below the BSR at three locations with moderate, strong and no BSR along a seismic line in the Makran accretionary prism, Arabian Sea for studying attenuation (Q⁻¹) characteristics of sediments. Interval Q for hydrate-bearing sediments (layer B) above the BSR are estimated as 191 ± 11, 223 ± 12, and 117 ± 5, whereas interval Q for the underlying gas-bearing sediments (layer C) are calculated as 112 ± 7, 107 ± 8 and 124 ± 11 at moderate, strong and no BSR locations, respectively. The large variation in Q is observed at strong BSR. Thus Q can be used for ascertaining whether the observed BSR is due to gas hydrates, and for identifying gas hydrates at places where detection of BSR is rather doubtful. Interval Q of 98 ± 4, 108 ± 5, and 102 ± 5, respectively, at moderate, strong and no BSR locations for the layer immediately beneath the seafloor (layer A) show almost uniform attenuation.     

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.     

南中国海神狐海域天然气水合物上覆地层不排水抗剪强度预测

浅层沉积物不排水抗剪强度（Su）是深水作业的关键参数之一。为了获取南海神狐海域首次海域天然气水合物试采区W18-19框体的基本工程地质特征,试采工程准备阶段开展了原位孔压静力触探测试（CPTU）及大量的室内实验。本文将主要基于CPTU计算不排水抗剪强度的基本模型,采用微型十字板、电动十字板、袖珍贯入仪及不固结不排水三轴实验,确定该区域不排水抗剪强度的基本模式,并提出适用于南海神狐钙质黏土层的不排水抗剪强度纵向分布规律计算模型,对该区域水合物上覆层的不排水抗剪强度进行预测。 结果表明,基于总锥端阻力、有效锥端阻力、超孔隙压力的模型系数分为13.8、4.2、14.4。综合考虑地层压实效应和含气情况,本文提出的分段函数预测模型与室内结果的一致性较好,可用于工程设计阶段进行工区不排水抗剪强度纵向分布规律的预测。另外,基于有效锥端阻力的不排水抗剪强度经验模型适应于浅层极软-较硬压实的钙质粘土层,基于超孔隙压力的不排水抗剪强度模型适用于较硬-坚硬的不含气层,而基于总锥端阻力的不排水抗剪强度计算模型则适用于坚硬含气的钙质黏土层。本文提出的分段函数模型有效的提高了经验模型在南海神狐水合物赋存区的适用性,计算结果可为工程安全评价提供支撑。     

Comparison of high-resolution seismic profiles and the geoacoustic properties of Eckernförde Bay sediments

High-resolution seismic profiles of Eckernförde Bay and the adjacent Baltic Sea were collected, and the geoacoustic properties of sediments there were measured. Bulk densities averaged ~ 1.35 g cm^–3 and ranged from ~ 1.2 to ~ 1.7 g cm^–3. Compressional wave velocities in gas-free sediments averaged ~ 1460 m s^–1 and ranged from ~ 1425 to ~ 1555 m s^–1. In nongassy sediments, bulk density variations typically controlled changes of acoustic impedance. Impedance changes were usually too small and closely spaced to be resolved seismically, although, at certain sites, significant impedance changes are far apart enough that they correlate one-to-one with seismic reflectors. Where free gas is present, velocity decreases and wave energy is scattered, causing a prominent seismic reflector.     

Analysis of shallow gas and fluid migration within the Plio-Pleistocene sedimentary succession of the SW Barents Sea continental margin using 3D seismic data

Three-dimensional (3D) seismic data acquired for hydrocarbon exploration reveal that gas accumulations are common within the 2–3 km thick Plio-Pleistocene stratigraphic column of the south-western Barents Sea continental margin. The 3D seismic data have relatively low-frequency content (<40 Hz) but, due to dense spatial sampling, long source-receiver offsets, 3D migration and advanced interpretation techniques, they provide surprisingly detailed images of inferred gas accumulations and the sedimentary environments in which they occur. The presence of gas is inferred from seismic reflection segments with anomalously high amplitude and reversed phase, compared with the seafloor reflection, so-called bright spots. Fluid migration is inferred from vertical zones of acoustic masking and acoustic pipes. The 3D seismic volume allows a spatial analysis of amplitude anomalies inferred to reflect the presence of gas and fluids. At several locations, seismic attribute maps reveal detailed images of flat spots, inferred to represent gas–water interfaces. The data indicate a focused fluid migration system, where sub-vertical faults and zones of highly fractured sediments are conduits for the migration of gas-bearing fluids in Plio-Pleistocene sediments. Gas is interpreted to appear in high-porosity fan-shaped sediment lobes, channel and delta deposits, glacigenic debris flows and sediment blocks, probably sealed by low-permeability, clayey till and/or (glacio)marine sediments. Gas and fluid flow are here attributed mainly to rapid Plio-Pleistocene sedimentation that loaded large amounts of sedimentary material over lower-density, fine-grained Eocene oozes. This probably caused pore-fluid dewatering of the high-fluid content oozes through a network of polygonal faults. The study area is suggested to have experienced cycles of fluid expulsion and hydrocarbon migration associated with glacial–interglacial cycles.     

High-resolution seismic studies of gas hydrates west of Svalbard

 A strong bottom-simulating reflection (BSR) with high-amplitude variations is detectable in high- resolution reflection seismic profiles west of Svalbard. Above the BSR, anomalously high velocities up to 1840 m/s, calculated from high-frequency ocean-bottom hydrophone (HF-OBH) data, indicate the existence of gas-hydrated sediments. Below the BSR, a low-velocity layer, interpreted as gas-bearing sediments, shows thickness variations from 12 to 25 m. In addition, two other low-velocity layers clearly containing free gas are detected within the classic hydrate stability zone (HSZ) where, a theoretical viewpoint, free gas cannot exist. Received: 6 August 1997 / Revision received: 26 January 1998     

An experimental study on microscopic characteristics of gas-bearing sediments under different gas reservoir pressures

Gas-bearing sediments are widely distributed in five continents all over the world. Most of the gases exist in the soil skeleton in the form of discrete large bubbles. The existence of gas-phase may increase or decrease the strength of the soil skeleton. So far, bubbles’ structural morphology and evolution characteristics in soil skeleton lack research, and the influence of different gas reservoir pressures on bubbles are still unclear. The micro characteristics of bubbles in the same sediment sample were studied using an industrial CT scanning test system to solve these problems. Using the image processing software, the micro variation characteristics of gas-bearing sediments in gas reservoir pressure change are obtained. The results show that the number and volume of bubbles in different equivalent radius ranges will change regularly under different gas reservoir pressure. With the increase of gas reservoir pressure, the number and volume of tiny bubbles decrease. In contrast, the number and volume of large bubbles increase, and the gas content in different positions increases and occupies a dominant position, driving the reduction of pore water and soil skeleton movement.     

珠江口盆地白云深水区含气储层AVO模板的建立及应用

白云深水区多口油气钻探揭示砂质储层含气和含水都有可能表现为Ⅲ类或Ⅳ类的AVO及亮点异常,单纯依靠亮点+Ⅲ类AVO异常进行烃类气体预测具有多解性,是钻前储层的流体预测面临的新挑战和难点。本文利用珠江口盆地白云深水区测井数据,根据储层特征与含气性差异性优选了多口测井数据齐全井,利用测井数据对不同井位储层段的AVO特征进行分析。通过Aki-Richards公式计算了不同井的截距和梯度属性,建立了白云深水区P和G属性图版。对比分析发现不同含气储层,随着岩性、含气性差异及其岩性组合不同,呈现不同AVO异常特征,岩心分析表明该异常不仅与储层含气性有关,也与盖层岩性密切相关,尤其是当盖层或者储层含有灰岩时,对AVO异常影响较大。利用M矿区目标储层的叠前反演弹性参数,再结合本文建立的P和G属性图版和流体识别因子方法,对目标储层含气性进行了预测,发现了该储层在横向上含气性不同,钻探结果证实预测结果有效与可靠,表明该AVO模板具有较好的实用性。     

不同储藏气压下含气土细观结构表征与重构研究

含气土的储藏气压与细观结构表征是研究浅层气地质灾害的关键因素。利用工业CT扫描测试系统,采用立式旋转扫描,微焦点X射线光源的位置固定,样品沿XY平面方向匀速旋转1周,设定旋转步长为0.3°/s,对反应釜内含气样品注气加压至2 MPa、4 MPa、6 MPa,充分考虑样品成像最佳分辨率、最佳探测范围等因素的影响。结果表明,CT扫描获得的切片图像与重构图像具有良好的实验效果;加压注气到2 MPa时,小气泡灰度值增加;加压到6 MPa时气体整体灰度值增加明显;增压过程中气泡数量随着气泡半径增加而减少;加压注气过程会导致固?液?气三相物质局部变化,表现为孔隙气、孔隙水的体积变化幅度整体大于土骨架,微观局部位置会有较大的升高或降低。当不同位置的气体含量上升且占据主导地位时,会驱动着孔隙水的减少与土骨架的移动。     

Study of A Geo-Acoustic Model of Gas-Bearing Sediment and Its Application in Sediment with Low Acoustic Veloctiy

A new geo-acoustic model for gas-bearing sediment is proposed based on the work of Dvorkin and Prasad, and Biot theory. Only five geophysical parameters: sediment mineral composition, free gas saturation, tortuosity (also known as the structure factor), permeability, and porosity, are considered in the model. A benefit of this model is that we need only five parameters instead of ten parameters in the Biot's formulas for acoustic velocity and attenuation calculation. Here the model is demonstrated with the in-situ experimental data collected from the Hangzhou Bay, China. The results of this study suggest that free gas content in sediment is the most critical condition resulting in a low acoustic velocity (compressional wave). The respective contributions of the other four parameters in the model are also discussed.     

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.     

The Marine VHR 2.5-D Seismic Brute Stack Cube as a Feasible Tool for Low Budget Investigation and Research

Between 1997 and 1999 several marine seismic surveys were carried out in Kiel Bay aimed towards the development of a three-dimensional acquisition and interpretation technique for small scale subsurface structures using high-frequency sources and multichannel streamers. The data set was recently revisited by the author and reprocessed to obtain a multichannel stacked seismic data cube. Nominal hydrophone positions are deduced by determining offsets from first arrival times and estimating the hydrophone positions under consideration of the ships track. Processing towards a ‘seismic cube’ mainly comprised CMP sorting, constant velocity NMO correction and stacking. The resulting VHR 3-D seismic ‘brute stack cube’ reveals rich structural details. The fluvial Pleistocene channel system already documented in an earlier publication was tracked further to the north. It is situated below a flat cover of gas-bearing Holocene sediments, which locally constitute the seafloor. This till-horizon is superimposed on a second till layer showing strong topographic variations. Seismic signal phase and shielding effects indicate the possible presence of gas in these formations. This case history demonstrates that the VHR 3-D seismic method is a feasible tool for low budget investigation and research.     

含天然气水合物沉积层的孔隙度特征及其反演方法

给出了含天然气水合物沉积层、含游离气沉积层孔隙度与地震波速度及波阻抗的关系,提出了确定性沿层孔隙度反演技术的方法。     

海底天然气水合物的地震资料处理与分析

介绍了利用多道反射地震资料，采用反射振幅随炮检距变化AVO（Ampltude versus Offset)技术和其他地震正、反演方法，通过研究地震剖面上的拟海底反射层（BSR）分布、地震弹性参数特征，来探讨BSR上、下方含天然气水合物沉积层和含游离气沉积层的内部结构和某些主要物理性质，如沉积物的空隙率、天然气水合物的饱和度等，由此来评估海底天然气水合物的资源前景并研究其成矿机制。     

Seismic character of gas hydrates on the Southeastern U.S. continental margin

Gas hydrates are stable at relatively low temperature and high pressure conditions; thus large amounts of hydrates can exist in sediments within the upper several hundred meters below the sea floor. The existence of gas hydrates has been recognized and mapped mostly on the basis of high amplitude Bottom Simulating Reflections (BSRs) which indicate only that an acoustic contrast exists at the lower boundary of the region of gas hydrate stability. Other factors such as amplitude blanking and change in reflection characteristics in sediments where a BSR would be expected, which have not been investigated in detail, are also associated with hydrated sediments and potentially disclose more information about the nature of hydratecemented sediments and the amount of hydrate present.Our research effort has focused on a detailed analysis of multichannel seismic profiles in terms of reflection character, inferred distribution of free gas underneath the BSR, estimation of elastic parameters, and spatial variation of blanking. This study indicates that continuous-looking BSRs in seismic profiles are highly segmented in detail and that the free gas underneath the hydrated sediment probably occurs as patches of gas-filled sediment having variable thickness. We also present an elastic model for various types of sediments based on seismic inversion results. The BSR from sediments of high ratio of shear to compressional velocity, estimated as about 0.52, encased in sediments whose ratios are less than 0.35 is consistent with the interpretation of gasfilled sediments underneath hydrated sediments. This model contrasts with recent results in which the BSR is explained by increased concentrations of hydrate near the base of the hydrate stability field and no underlying free gas is required.     

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.